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Affordable Options for Family Entertainment

One of the best things about being a parent is that you can have fun spending time with your children. However, your entertainment budget may be stretched somewhat thin from meeting your family's daily and monthly obligations.

By Mikkie MillsPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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One of the best things about being a parent is that you can have fun spending time with your children. However, your entertainment budget may be stretched somewhat thin from meeting your family's daily and monthly obligations. There are ways to have fun together as a family that fit every budget, and sometimes you do not even need to leave home to do it.

1. Play in the Water

Perhaps at one point you've asked yourself, "How much does an in-ground pool cost?" The answer varies based on many factors, such as the size of the pool and the materials used. A more helpful question to ask, at least initially, is whether an in-ground pool is a good investment. It might be if you live in climate that is warm during the majority of the year. However, if you live in a colder environment where you get less use out of your pool, an above-ground pool may be a better option. You can also always visit a public pool or just set up a sprinkler in the backyard.

2. Go Out To Eat

Eating out becomes more of a memorable event for your family when you don't do it very often. Therefore, you may want to save this activity for special occasions even if you have the means to eat out frequently. It can get expensive to feed multiple children at a restaurant, but you can save money by choosing one that offers "Kids Eat Free" deals. These may only be available at certain times of the day or during certain seasons, so be sure to research this carefully when making dinner plans.

3. Watch Movies at Home

Electronics companies keep pushing out new home theater products. If you are willing to forgo the newest releases in favor of older models, you can get a fairly impressive home entertainment system for much less than you would otherwise. A projector allows you to watch movies anywhere you can set up a screen, even outside, and you can find basic models for around $100.

4. Camp Out

One of the most significant and memorable experiences anyone can have is sleeping out under the stars. All states have campgrounds, so you don't have to travel far to find a site, although that may be part of the overall experience. You can literally camp in your own backyard, which may be a better option for some families, especially those with little kids. An initial splurge on a high-quality tent allows you to make use of it for many years to come. If you prefer not to rough it to that degree, renting an RV can be much cheaper than buying one.

5. Play Games

A game table that contains multiple amusements in one can be a really good investment for a family. It provides hours of entertainment while allowing you to add variety without having to purchase a lot of separate game sets. Remember that there are outdoor games as well as indoor ones. During the summer when the weather is nice and the sun goes down late, you and your family can enjoy bocce ball, beanbag toss, or croquet until well into the evening. Outdoor game sets are fairly inexpensive and can last a long time.

6. Get Healthy

You may be able to encourage healthy habits while having fun with your kids. You could take a cooking class and learn how to prepare healthy meals together, then come home and apply what you've learned. You can make a habit of engaging in a fun exercise activity, such as bicycling or yoga. There are online versions of fitness classes available that you can enjoy together from home if you are able to clear adequate space for everyone to participate.

When choosing activities for your family, concentrate more on what you like to do than how much it costs. With a little imagination and careful budgeting, there are low-cost versions of most group activities.

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