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Explore
these excellent ideas for kid entertainment on a budget.
More money
doesn't mean more fun.
Start with reminiscing about your own
childhood and think of ways you made your own fun as a child.
Simple
tried-and-true entertainment on a shoestring.
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
Kids Just Wanna Have Fun!
By Cheryl
Johnson During the recent "schools out
session", I was reminded how much the kids crave entertainment. No matter what
time of year the "Kids Just Wanna Have Fun." And who could blame them? I don’t
think there are many of us who haven’t longed for the carefree, playful days of
our youth. I have four of these carefree fun hungry kids. Keeping them
entertained on a tight budget is always a challenge.
I have discovered over the years that
more money doesn’t necessarily mean more fun. In fact, some of the simplest, age
old activities, seem to feed their fun hungry souls the best. Remember, in the
"old days" that is the "very old days". Family gatherings provided a great
source of kid entertainment. It's hard to believe that in today’s fast paced, high
tech, world that children still enjoy this kind of interaction.
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
I have found that for some reason,
maybe because it validates their own behaviors, kids love to hear stories of
when we were young. No, not the kind that remind them of how good they have it
today. I’m talking about our childhood antics, the times when we misbehaved, did
something wrong, and the consequences.
Most of us have funny moments in our
life that just stick with us. Sometimes they weren’t so funny at the time at
least from our prospective, then. My kids love to hear stories of my childhood
antics, when I broke the rules, how I felt about it, and what punishment I had
to endure because of it. They especially like the punishment part. Some sort of
satisfaction knowing that I had to endure the cruelties of punishment
also!
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
Of course it doesn’t sound amusing to
talk about times when you got in trouble. But, those memories are funny to us
now that we look back at our childhood. Sure we can laugh now……… We’re a lot
smarter and see the innocence of our ways.
This is a great way to also remind
ourselves that we were once kids also. And not so different than our own kids.
With much the same innocence, gullibility, and scheming potential. Ahhhh… a
great tool for reminding us that at least some of the behaviors we frown on in
our kids is just the normal age old process of growing up! A very reassuring
thought when you’re ready to pull your hair out.
In some ways this ritual of
reminiscing shows our children that we love them unconditionally. That we
understand. Why, because we’ve been there, done that. And we acted in many ways
, and felt in many ways , the same way they do today. Its true that some things
never change.
I have a shorter list of tales to tell being one of three
siblings. My husband on the other hand is one of eleven children, and he can
keep them in belly busting laughter for hours, leaving them begging for more.
Telling not only his own antics but those of his brothers and
sisters.
So, if you ever find everyone sitting
around looking bored to the gills, start up a casual conversation and work in
some of your funny moments in life. You’ll have them begging for more and more
tales. "Tell some more, tell some more!" And the best part ….. It’s Free
Entertainment!
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
With a little research….what was
that?……..research? If you’ve been to visit http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com
you know this is one of my pet peeves….. If you don’t know what’s out there or
if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’re doomed to spend too much of
your hard earned money!
There no
disputing the fact that an "Informed Consumer: More Money = More Savings!" There! I said it again. Boy did that feel good.
Well now that I got that off my chest let me share some ideas on this FUN thing.
- Roller skating- went once a week when I was a kid. Loved it! Guess what? My kids
love it too! And it’s cheap if you do your research. Our local rink has a
family night. Get this , $1 to get in $1 for skates if you need to
rent.
If you make this a regular outing,
invest in the skates. That’s one of those birthday or Christmas gifts that
will pay you back in the long run. My husband and I don’t skate, those days
are gone. Although I highly recommend it for a great workout. That means four
kids can get in for $4. Three hours of fun for $4. You can’t beat
it!
I could get us in for even less . .
.only $2. We have a local grocery store that prints coupons on back of the
receipts, one of the most frequent coupons I get ….the local roller skating
rink "buy one entrance fee, get one free".
I prefer not to use these for family
night since my oldest daughter likes to go to the rink on "teen night" The
rink socks it to them at $6 an entry. They know where the money is! This is a
social event that many teens in the area just can’t miss! This way she can get
in free if she goes with a paying friend. Sometimes, just to be fair, we share
the savings with her friends and each of them only has to pay $3. This way she
doesn’t feel like she’s taking advantage of anyone.
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
- Bowling: this can be a great low cost avenue for FUN if you don’t get carried away.
Usually you have to pay by the game, per person. So set your limits and have
fun. Most lanes have bumper guards now that prevent the little ones from
excessive "gutter ball blues" It helps put the fun back in it for the very
young children. A great feature. Even for the fumbling adult. Who am I
kidding, I love those bumper guards! Most alleys have a discount night. So,
try to plan your activities so you can enjoy the benefits of the discounts.
Just a Note:
Both of the above businesses usually offer birthday party rates as well. If
you’re not into planning your own party at home (by far the most economical
way) then consider checking out the party packages as an alternative kid entertainment idea.
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
- Cookouts and Picnics: Cookouts don’t have to be for special occasions. We have several
wonderful parks in our area that sport wonderful playgrounds and scenic
walking or biking trails. So take the boredom out of lunch one Saturday or
Sunday afternoon and throw together a cookout or picnic at your local park. My
kids just need to get out of the house sometimes. They don’t really care where
they go, as long as they go somewhere!
Parks are a great resource for free fun and kid entertainment! The internet is a great resource for finding new, different, and exciting
parks in your area. Just do a simple search and you will probably be amazed at
the numerous parks within driving distance from your home. So keep it
interesting and travel a little bit to get to exciting new places!
An extra bonus . . . . You will be
making great memories for your kids!:)
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
- Museums and Historical Landmarks: Don’t think you have any near you? Bet Ya’ do! Why
even in the far out sticks of nowhere you might be surprised to find a museum
within a reasonable distance. I am blessed to live in a highly cultural area
between Washington DC and Baltimore. So museums, tourists attractions, and
historic landmarks (yes many of them Free) are abundant.
But, no matter where you live, do a
little research (yes, again) and I’ll bet you’ll find some interesting
attraction or museum convenient to your home. If in a rare case you don’t,
then plan to visit an area on a weekend trip where you can enjoy these types
of historic attractions.
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
- Family Game Night:- I know that many times after a hard days work we just want to sit,
relax, and well, basically, do nothing! But, once you get in a habit of
designating one night "Family Game Night" I guarantee you’ll look forward to
it.
This is great kid entertainment and a great way interact with
your kids. It’s fun, educational, and provides an opportunity for conversation
(Now that’s something those teens don’t offer up much). Choose games that
everyone enjoys and is capable of doing. Games that suit the family’s entire
age span are always more fun. And, there are many out there.
If you have a large family with some
large age differences, you can opt to have two game nights so you can include
games suited for the younger children that the older ones might get bored
with. Of course, always provide the option for older ones to be included.
Sometimes, believe it or not, they just enjoy the quality time with parents
and siblings. :)
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
Well, I'm hoping these ideas will keep
you busy for now! And remember, it doesn't have to cost alot to be alot of
FUN!
Cheryl Johnson is a mother of four
helping herself and others become and stay debt free. Publisher of Simple Debt
Free Living at http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com -
A self-help plan, ideas, and resources for debt management, personal budgeting,
and frugal living, including tips for low cost family
entertainment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
~ Kid Entertainment on a Budget ~
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