Entertaining Your Children on a Tight Budget

For some people the current economic woes of our country have put a real strain on the budget, but for many of us the strain has always been there and we've learned to adapt. Keeping your family entertained can be a real challenge when you have little or no money left after monthly bills and expenses, but with a little creativity and some hunting you can find plenty of activities to do with children of any age.

A time-honored and much loved summer tradition, a trip to the park is one of the best family activities you can do. It gets the children (and you) fresh air and exercise, it allows them to meet new friends and practice their developing social skills while you network with other parents in your neighborhood, and best of all, it's free! You can bring balls, Frisbees, kites, squirt guns, buckets and shovels, pets, or just yourselves and the kids will have a great time. Some neighborhoods even have parks attached to a community center that may have a pool and other free activities. Most city websites have information on what kinds of parks are in your area and what their hours and locations are. If you don't have access to the internet try your cities local information line (usually 311).

So what do you do when you've done the park to death? That's where a little searching will go a long way. Most cities have local alternative papers (such as Albuquerque's Weekly Alibi) that you can pick up for free or almost free. Check the classified or events sections of a local publication for tons of free plays, concerts, activity groups, organized nature walks, even things like a weekend petting zoo. You never know what you'll find, but you'll always find something. You can even find local free activities and events without leaving your own house. Many cities and towns (more than 550 and counting) have local classifieds on Craigslist.org. In the community section you can find free listings for dozens of local events and groups, or even organize your own, all for free! Also, don't forget free activities that are always available around your neighborhood, such as fast food play-places (they like you to buy something, but I've never been kicked out for just hanging out in the playroom and letting the kids loose for a while. Just make sure to feed them before you go so they aren't pestering you for lunch the whole time).

If you have a little cash to spare you can always try local attractions like the natural history museum, aquarium, or zoo. Usually it's only two or three dollars for the kids and less than ten for a parent and I haven't met a kid yet that didn't want to see dinosaurs, sharks, or lions. Many theaters also offer middle of the week family matinée pricing, allowing you to take your child to a movie for only a dollar or two, as long as you take them in the middle of a Tuesday or whatever their discount day and time is.

Think outside the box. Remember that children are entertained by things we don't find new or interesting anymore. A trip out to an open field or a local stream may be all it takes to build some memories you'll cherish forever, and all it will cost is a little gas. Touch base with other parents and share ideas. You'll be surprised at how much you can find within a few blocks of your house and the time and effort will be well worth the savings.

For some examples of the types of city websites I've described, check out http://www.craigslist.org, http://www.cabq.gov/gis/park.php, and http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/.