Having Fun with Your Children When You Are Broke

Most of my happiest memories as a child do not center around the times when my parents had the most money to spend on my brother and I. They were during the times when we had no money, yet we had the most fun! As a parent myself now I am learning these tips and remembering all the best ways to truly have fun and create good memories for your kids when you are broke.

* Remember although kids are asking to go out to dinner or a movie what they are looking for a lot of the times is time with you without the distractions of homework, cleaning house, and animals.

* Play a board game, you may be board to tears or you may actually find you enjoy yourself, believe me the kids will. Card games work too and are even better because you can do several in an evening or a 2 hour game of rummy.

* Cook something, kids of most ages will love being with you in the kitchen learning to cook and creating their own specialties. Plus making killer grilled cheese, or famous mac and cheese doesn't take a lot of money.

* Read! I cannot stress enough how good it is for children for them to read to you or you to them. They love it, and they will remember it for years to come.

* Be creative together, paint a picture, color in a coloring book, write a joint story, or even draw on a wall in your home. But do it together, it is fun, take imagination, and creates a sense of acceptance for kids who are just trying to express themselves.

* Get outside, if the weather is good go for a walk, without the pets. Or go to a park near your home and throw a ball or play tag. This is great for your health and the endorphins it creates makes this time extra happy and therefore extra special.

* Go for a drive, of course with gas prices this is still pricier then staying home, however a 30 minutes drive out in the middle of nowhere exploring still is change compared to an expensive dinner out.

* Cuddling... Yes this for boys is sometimes an issue but still something they appreciate underneath all the bluster. If you can get in some cuddling time while watching an old movie or just talking, this is another memory your kids won't soon forget.

* Research! Most of the time you can find cheap or free events in every city. Such as Farmer's Markets, Flea Markets, free movie nights, and free concerts. Make sure to research all the independent newspapers you will usually find a gem of an idea.

Just remember your kids don't constantly think about money, and if they are getting to spend time with their friends and their family, it usually does not matter what setting it is in. Plus if you save money doing these other things you can save up for a special trip for the whole family to share.