Inexpensive entertainment provides for quality family time and building memories. Saving money on entertainment takes creativity, but you have options!
By Danielle, Contributing Writer
We need inexpensive entertainment options! Americans are busier than ever these days. No matter if you’re working the average 8.7 hours a day, homeschooling, managing the home, running errands or attending extracurricular activities, families need quality time. The challenge is not only in balancing work and fun, but also balancing the budget.
It can be easy to over spend for the sake of “quality time.” In fact, the average American spends $2,504 on entertainment according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overpriced tickets, high admission rates and travel costs make it easy to bust the budget in the name of having fun.
Most couples are opposites when it comes to spending. One is the spender, the other is the saver. There are varying degrees of this but usually the spender shows love through things, “gifts.” The saver often shows loves through quality time. In order to balance these you need to budget for larger items and also realize that inexpensive entertainment options provide for quality family time, bonding and building memories.
My husband is a spender and a giver. He shows his appreciation and love by giving gifts and experiences others enjoy. We balance bigger experiences with inexpensive entertainment options so we can have fun and stay in budget. As the saver, I tend to see that quality time doing low cost activities builds relationships which is important.
Image by 5demeyo
Here are some inexpensive entertainment options for your family to enjoy:
1. Camping Alternates
A weekend camping trip can average $380. Surely that is cheaper than a week at Disney but when you’re working on other financial goals you might need a camping alternative. Try camping in your backyard. You can still have the whole experience—s’mores, campfire, sleeping bags and all—for a fraction of the cost. When I was in high school my friend would have “camp-overs.” We’d stay in her parent’s camper in their driveway, make hot dogs over the fire and stay up really late. If this isn’t an option, you can always have a living room camp-over. Blow up the air mattress, grab some flashlights, put in a movie and sleep in the living room. Your kids will love it.
2. Zoos and Nature Centers
Zoos can provide entertainment for couples and families. Most are either free or reasonably priced and some will allow you to carry in food. If not, pack a lunch and eat in the car. We’ve done this at several local day trip attractions to reduce cost. Check your county and local state parks for nature centers. We have several nature centers in our area that are free to the public.
3. Game Night
Extremely cost effective, or even free, board games are a great source of entertainment for groups of friends and families with children. We like to incorporate fun and learning with games and most holidays you’ll find us playing cards or fun games like ImagineIf.
4. Get Out and Move
Swimming, walking or hiking can be great family fun. Visit the community pool, local lake or state park to get some exercise and enjoy nature. Be sure it take the camera along on walks and hikes. This is also a great way to combine learning and fun.
Image from pixabay.com
5. Eat Out Picnic Style
Going out to eat is nice treat and sometimes a necessity. But eating out for sheer entertainment can be costly. In 2010, the average consumer spent $2,505 eating away from home. To save a substantial amount of money, try packing a picnic instead. Not only will you pay less than you would at a restaurant for your meal, but you’ll enjoy the change of pace and spending time with friends and family.
6. Give Back & Volunteer
Helping the least of these is another way to build character in your children, teach life lessons and have family time together. Talk to your older kids about where they may want to help and you’re likely to find that the time together giving back is more rewarding that any baseball game or concert.
Saving money on entertainment takes a little forethought and a bit of creativity but inexpensive entertainment options are all around you. See past the glamour and glitz of big ticket outings and you’ll find low cost ways to build relationships and make memories.
Laura @ Little Bits of Granola
We love hiking in the beautiful state and county parks around us! Such a nice way to unplug and connect as a family while teaching our kids about nature. 🙂
Erin
That sounds wonderful!!
Susy
Our family of four (10 yo son, 9 yo daughter) really enjoy our summer camping trips. We have found an exceptional campground that has playgrounds, a heated outdoor pool, a wading river and weekend activities. We bring their bikes so they can ride around and exercise. I have been accumulating camping equipment since I was a kid so our expenses are minimal — gas to get there, food we’ll eat and nightly spot rental which can range from $20-$35 per night. It’s an inexpensive weekend away and the bonding time we have as a family is priceless! After all that activity, they usually fall asleep early which gives mom & dad some alone time by the campfire. LOVE our camping weekends!
Erin
That is so cheap! And what fun memories you are making!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
I love the camping and volunteering ideas, Danielle!
We do DVD rentals from the library, game/puzzle nights, and family hikes for our entertainment.
We sold our camping trailer to help make ends meet a few years ago, but I love the idea of still camping in the backyard. We could even sleep on the trampoline!
Thanks for the reminder that we need to start volunteering again as a family in our community. That is a wonderful way to be blessed while you are being a blessing!
Erin
She gave such great tips!
Elizabeth Miller
I’ve been taking my daughter to the local batting cages. She loves it, and it’s very inexpensive.