Entertaining Kids on a Budget

One of the greatest joys of parenting is creating memories with your kids that will stick with them for a lifetime. One of the challenges of motherhood, however, is finding ways to entertain your kids on a budget. Resourceful stay-at-home moms know that there are plenty of ways to maximize fun on a daily basis, while minimizing your out-of-pocket expense.

One of our favorite family activities is heading over to our local park. I can still remember the first time I pushed my daughter on the baby swings, the look of wonder on her face, uncertainty transforming into a wide, toothless grin-one of the true joys of motherhood. Each time we go to the park I bring the camera and take a photo of her swinging. It's fun to look back at the pictures and see how much she's grown and changed. Of course, in addition to the memories, we get the added benefit of fresh air and exercise. Parks and playgrounds are a great way to entertain kids of all ages--and it doesn't cost a thing.

Free fun can be educational, too, so check out story time at your local library or bookstore. We've been attending weekly story time since my daughter was five months old and I'm convinced it has helped foster a lifelong love of books. Reading is one of the best parenting gifts you can give your child. You can also have story time at home, reading books together or encouraging your kids to use their imagination and create their own stories.

Another budget entertainment idea is to purchase a year-long membership to your local children's museum or zoo. Our local zoo, for example, offers annual memberships for just $65--which means a family of five breaks even after just two visits. The membership fee at our local children's museum is tax deductible. Between the tax break and the endless supply of imaginative entertainment, it's a parenting dream come true.

For rainy days (or days when you just feel like staying in) there are plenty of low-cost or no-cost tricks of the motherhood trade for entertaining the kids at home:

Craft projects: kids love to express their creativity. Inexpensive supplies, such as stickers, paper, and markers can be purchased at dollar stores. Michael's has a great selection of $1 craft projects, and a 40% off coupon almost every week. Motherhood tip: I photograph or scan my daughter's artwork so we can keep the memories even when we can't hold on to the artwork.

Movie night: Let the kids choose their favorite DVD, pop some popcorn, then snuggle down for a night of inexpensive family entertainment. To give the night a little added magic, create your own movie tickets.

Go back to basics with good old-fashioned playing. Board games and card games are interactive, educational, and fun. Dress-up inspires kids to use their imaginations. Coloring improves coordination and inspires creativity. Use coloring pages to create games. For example, have the kids color a picture of a castle, then use princess stickers to play Pin the Princess on the Castle.

Free fun can be the best fun, but spending quality time together is the best parenting gift we can give.