Five Low Cost Off the Beaten Path Activities for Family Night

We all know that we can play a game of cards or cook a favorite dish in order to garner at least an hour of family time. But the kids are growing fast and we should spend as much quality time as possible with them. And though I agree whole heartedly with the "Eating dinner together and talking" being a great way to connect with your kids, you should also incorporate new things to grab their attention and get you some more quality time. This article has a list of activities a little less ordinary to bring the family together and make "Family Night" a lot more interesting, and the cherry on top? They are all low cost.

See an Opera or a new Play

Call your local Opera House, theatre and high school arts department. You can score cheap tickets (usually $5 - $10) for a professional opera or play if you buy tickets to the dress rehearsal. And local high schools seem to always be putting on a play. Tickets are usually under $5 too.

Ice Cream Socials

Local churches and schools are known to host quite a few Ice Cream Socials throughout the year. I've attended some that were completely free and a few that weren't. Those that weren't were still really inexpensive with ice cream and all the toppings you want for less than $1. You can reconnect with other parents or friends.

College/Minor League Sports

If your kids are sports junkies like mine, this is a great and inexpensive alternative to MLB and NBA games, where 2 tickets can be the equivalent of a car payment. We had a blast at a local college basketball game, and we are also frequent visitors to our local New York Mets farm team where tickets are $6 per person and include a hot dog and soda if you attend a weeknight home game.

Walking Tour

No matter how long you've lived in your town, you can gain great knowledge from a walking tour. Some are themed, as in homes/buildings by a certain architect or general in where you visit landmarks. An inexpensive way to get to know your neighborhood, spend time with the family and get a little exercise in.

Movie Night

Most town libraries and even some local elementary schools periodically host "Movie Night" It's usually gratis and the snacks are cheap. Last movie night we attended the popcorn was .75 cents, the soda cans and candy bars were .50 cents.

The above activities can bring your family some great memories and open their eyes to new things. Another tip is to check your local papers "Recreation" or "Things to Do" section. Broken down by day, you can schedule a week ahead and get more than one activity in for the week for you and your family.

Happy "Family Night"!