Having a family day doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. In fact, you can do a “no spend” family day and have just as much fun, if not more fun than spending an arm and a leg on your family outing.
Swimming in our pool in the yard. We also swim at the lake often—free and fun!
There are times when I want to spend time with my family without spending a small fortune. My boys love going to the trampoline park; however, this can easily cost us $100. So, we only go a few times a year. I feel like every time we leave the house it is easily $100 or more! I need to learn to stay home.
There are so many fun ideas you can do as a family that does not cost money or at least not a lot of money. For example, having a picnic. This will cost you money for the food, however, you would have needed to eat food for lunch with or without going on a picnic.
My husband grilling for our son’s baseball team after their game! Cheaper than going out to eat and we created amazing memories!
Here is a list of some fun NO SPEND family day ideas:
1. Picnic- you can choose a location close by, so you won’t spend a lot of money on fuel getting there. Better yet, bike or walk if you can.
2. Go for a walk, this can be done in town, out in the country, or on a walking trail
3. Take a Hike on a nearby hiking trail
4. Bike ride- same as above or go to a skate park and bring a scooter
5. Museum- some museums are no cost and some cost money, be sure to check this out before you plan your visit
6. Go camping in your yard
7. Make a fort
My son, Colton in his fort that he made in his bed
8. Family game night- make it even more fun by “winning” prizes that you already have in the house. For example, fruit, toothpaste, and shampoo. Kids will find this funny
9. Bake cookies or a cake if you have the ingredients
10. Learn a new skill- I know my boys LOVE woodworking in our garage
11. Visit the library
12. Go fishing
13. Go swimming in a lake or creek
14. Cook together as a family
15. Do a scavenger hunt- indoor or outdoor
16. Attend a free concert
17. Have a karaoke night
18. Do a science experiment
19. Learn a magic trick
20. Play in the mud- we have 4-wheelers and go mud boggin’ every spring
21. Make an obstacle course- inside or in your yard
22. Have a water balloon fight
23. Have a bonfire
24. Roast marshmallows
25. Family movie night- make some popcorn, pile up the pillows and blankets, and snuggle up close
This is just a small list of ideas for a no-spend family day. How fun would it be to stay home, have a water fight with your kids, make a picnic outside, light a bonfire, and roast S’mores? That sounds like a great family day! You will also win lots of mom of the year points and your husband will think you are pretty cool too.
Kids remember the things you do, not how much money you spend on them. My kids are relentless in their requests for me to keep buying them more and more. As their parents, we need to teach our children responsibility and that includes financial responsibility.
You do not have to buy your kids everything they ask for. You do not have to do everything your kids ask for. Louder for those in the back!! YOU DO NOT have to buy everything for your kids!
One of Colton’s favorite activities is going to the skate park
Some of my boys’ favorite memories are of us having friends over on a warm summer night and playing kickball or baseball in the backyard. They also love our annual spring 4-wheeler mud boggin’ fun!
There are so many ways to create priceless memories and have a lot of family fun while spending little to no money. You might want to get creative, but isn’t that part of the fun?
