Family Fun on a Budget

Getting about and experiencing the sights and sounds gets you out of the house and away from screen time for a while. You can find many low-cost and no-cost family-friendly experience in your area if you know where to look. Whether it is inside or outside activities you want you can find new and different ways of spending family time not the family fortune. With a little research, you can locate anything from hidden parks, museums, art lessons, story times and even live theater all at a nominal fee or free. 

Where do I Look?

Start your search online. Several sources keep track of specific areas. If you look at your community or chamber of commerce website, you'll likely find a list of local free events. When you are at your children's dentist or physician's waiting room look around for publications that list local children's services and activities. Your local library is a great resource. The library offers many free events and will have information about your area that you can use to discover places to visit. Don’t be shy about calling around to places and asking about free introductory lessons. Always utilizes your friends and neighbors, ask them what they have enjoyed doing with their kids and what they would recommend. Local faith-based organizations may offer community events free of charge and fun for all ages, check online for event information and details. 

What is There to Do?

In addition to the library check into the areas park and recreation programs. Parks departments can direct you to family-friendly hiking trails or areas of local interest. These places could be a geographic feature you never noticed or sites of historical significance. Many regions offer through the school district, free lunch programs during the summer months. Utilizing the program is an excellent way for kids to grab free lunch and then play with friends they have missed, for free! Check with any museums for free or special discounted days or programs. If your area has a college campus, you can look at the calendar of events of all sorts and usually offered free of charge. The college campus can provide anything from sports to art exhibits to guest lectures for your older kids. Many malls these days host evenings with activities for all different ages and have indoor play areas for younger kids to play and meet new friends. 

If you’re new to the community, check with your realtor for any local points of interest or family-friendly hidden gems to enjoy.