10 Affordable Ways to Spend Quality Time With Your Kids
I was absolutely flattered when my oldest son said he wanted to spend more time with me, but as we started to come up with some fun things to do, I became concerned about the cost. Holidays and inflation had taken up a significant portion of our budget and I was afraid I would let it down.
After looking closer, I realized that there are still many things that you can do together that won’t cost you much. Here are the ideas I came up with that include both free options and discounted walking ideas that you can find in your area.
Show them culture at a discount
Prices aren’t just rising at Disneyland. Over the years, museums, science centers and other cultural meccas have been forced to charge increasingly higher admission fees. However, there are ways to get in at a reduced price. Many institutions offer family days or a “pay what you can” day several times a year. Some city libraries have a “cultural pass” that gives you free entry to arts or cultural institutions. Your child’s school may offer something similar. Google it and you’ll likely never pay full price to see a priceless piece of art with your child.
Go hiking
Since my family lives in the southwest, we often drive past mountains that my son wants to conquer. Instead of continuing to talk about it, my wife and eldest son developed a plan for a weekly hike to climb the tallest mountain in our area. I loved seeing the sense of accomplishment on their faces when they completed their last hike.
Of course, not everyone lives in a mountain metropolis. Find scenic hikes or trails nearby that you and your kids can explore.
Let them release their energy
Trampoline parks are a great way to have fun and burn off some energy, but tickets can add up, especially if you’re bringing multiple kids along. Participating Sky Zone locations are offering several promotions to make your visit more affordable, including Unlimited Jump Wednesdays and a Family Fun Package with Pizza and Soda. You can even get a monthly membership that offers additional discounts. Find the option that best suits your budget on their website.
Take them grocery shopping
I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out: a weekly trip to Trader Joe’s is a lot of fun for my sons, from mini shopping carts to free samples. Some stores even have a game where kids can find a stuffed animal in the store. They can win cool stickers and treats for their efforts. It also gives them the opportunity to be involved in our family’s meal planning, which is a nice bonus for our picky eaters.
Try making something with your own hands
If you and your kids enjoy working with your hands, make time at Home Depot on the first Saturday of the month. Participating stores offer free workshops for young builders. My sons have built working microscopes and cornhole games using the clear instructions, materials and tools the store provides, and working on assembling them makes me feel more skilled than I actually am.
Volunteer together
If spending time together and instilling compassion for your neighbor (or being) seems like a good combination, check out some volunteer opportunities in your area. Animal shelters or soup kitchens can always come in handy, and they can also help broaden your child’s view of the world. You could even spend some time cleaning up your local park. Before you sign up for a volunteer shift, make sure that the organization has no age restrictions, as some organizations only offer opportunities for those over 13 years of age.
Have a movie night
One weekly tradition in our family that will last for a while is Saturday movie nights. We’ll bake a few pizzas and take turns choosing what we’ll watch. Mom might pick up The Emperor’s New Groove during the week, while my youngest regularly watches the latest episode of Octonauts . Everyone gets their turn, which makes the whole team happy while we keep repetition to a minimum (which is why we avoid watching the Super Mario movie every week). It’s a great deal that makes it worth keeping Disney+ even as its subscription prices continue to rise.
Avoid McDonald’s and have a picnic
Even now, nothing beats the combination of playing McDonald’s PlayPlace and drinking a Happy Meal at the same time. However, over the past few years, the price of Chicken McNuggets has increased, making the fun day more expensive. Instead, grab (or make) some sandwiches and snacks and head to your local park for lunch so you and your kids can play and bond.
Start reading a book chapter out loud
I love sharing my love of reading with my boys, but it’s hard to lure them away from graphic novels filled with fart jokes and juvenile humor (not that there’s anything wrong with that). My wife and I began reading our favorite children’s books, such as A Wrinkle in Time and Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH , to our sons to broaden their horizons. When we finish, they always have interesting questions and are ready to try other games on their own.
Learn a new skill on YouTube
I’ve never been much of an artist, but my sons are obsessed with drawing. Instead of going to class, we learn to draw their favorite YouTube cartoons together, whether it’s their favorite character Mo Willems or cool race cars and creatures with cartoonist Rob Biddulph. Sometimes, on rainy days, we do yoga that revolves around a movie or cartoon character they like, and this usually results in them laughing at me when I struggle with a pose. This is a great activity that helps me bond and makes me feel less guilty about my screen time.