Inexpensive Forms of Entertainment and Recreation During an Economic Recession

The present economic recession forces everybody to cut back on most forms of entertainment and recreation but there are still some ways to be able to have some fun and a good time even if very little money, if any, can be spent. Below are five ways to utilize leisure time during a recession:

Go hiking in the woods, down a country road, or in a local state park. This costs practically nothing, especially if you are lucky to have nearby access to woods or a small dirt path near your home. Explore nature on the hiking trip. Take your kids with you if you have children and play games such as: identifying trees by their leaves, identifying wildflowers, birds, and other forms of any wildlife you may come across during your hiking trip.

Assemble a jigsaw puzzle. Even if you don't own any, scour a thrift store in the toy and games section for one of those 500 plus piece puzzles the whole family can work on. Pick out favorite scenes: nature, buildings, or something unusual, like a famous work of art.

Spend some time reading. This can also be a family activity. Choose a book everyone can follow and take turns reading aloud different parts of the story. Children's books can be perfect for this and as an added bonus, have your kids speak any character's parts in the story. Or, you can have one of your kids be the narrator while you and your spouse or companion reads the character's parts in the story.

If the weather is warm enough outside, have a picnic cookout. Want to cook something delicious, healthy, and affordable for the family? Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil, one for each member of the family. In each piece of foil place the following: a small hamburger patty, some slices of potato, onion, and carrot. Season with some Italian dressing, salt, and pepper, then seal each foil package before placing on the grill. If desired, a tossed green salad can also be added to the meal. When the food is done, remove from the grill and unwrap each foil package. Each package can be transferred to picnic plates or eaten in the foil itself.

Play outdoor games. Blindman's Bluff, Red Rover, Hide and Seek, Kick the Can are just a few games the whole family can play. These are perfect after a picnic or any other time during the day.