When you think of a fun family activity, do you see the money literally flying out of your wallet? Here at Care.com, we’re always thinking about ways to keep costs down—from child care to dog sitting to the fun things you do when you’re with the kiddos. Many things to do with kids are expensive, but there are lots of ways your family can have a good time without going broke. Make a mess, cook something or go somewhere new — each of these can cost less than $10. “Spending a lot of money doesn’t always mean you’re having a good time,” says Emily Anderson, a mom of six and creator of The Anderson Crew.
Here are a few low-cost ideas to get you started:
1) Go Fly a Kite
Pick up a dollar-store kite for each member of the family, head to the park and see who can keep their kite up the longest.
2) Take a Hike
Go on a hike, recommends Sara Titus, a blogger who specializes in money-saving tips for moms. Most hiking trails are free and “your family may discover things you’ve never seen before,” Titus says.
3) Visit a Firehouse or Police Station
Call ahead, but most police and fire stations welcome families for tours. Spend your $10 on the supplies to make homemade cookies to express your thanks for all these community heroes do.
4) Go on a Nature Walk
Stop at the dollar store and buy a bucket for each of your children, and then head to a nature area. Encourage your kids to fill their buckets with interesting natural finds.
5) Ice Cream Night
Anderson suggests an ice cream night. Pick up ice cream and toppings and let everyone create their own sundae.
6) Watch the Stars
Many colleges have observatories that are free to the public. Pack some blankets and snacks and spend the evening watching the night sky.
7) Hunt for Treasure
This one requires some planning ahead. Pick up six to eight inexpensive trinkets and hide them somewhere in your house or backyard. Draw a treasure map on a piece of paper bag, and send your children to find the prizes.
8) Visit a Library
Getting your kids a library card gives them access to a whole world of books for free. Encourage your kids to check out one or two books they’ve never read before and read them out loud together. Some libraries also hold events for kids of different ages — such as story times, author readings and even craft sessions — which are usually free as well.
9) Take a Bike Ride
Strap on your helmets and take a bike ride! This is one of the best things do with kids because it’s free, fun and good exercise.
10) Hold a Video Game Tournament
Play some video games together, Titus suggests. To make it a tournament, create your brackets, purchase a few cheap snacks and spend a Saturday afternoon playing together.
11) Have an Ultimate Water (or Snow) Fight
Fill up a package of water balloons, turn on the hose, set up the sprinkler and soak each other. If it’s winter, pack some snowballs, build a few snow walls and have an ultimate snowball fight. It’s a great way to get outside and running.
12) Feed the Ducks
Don’t let stale bread go to waste. Head to a local park and feed the ducks, which is free, notes Anderson.
13) Have a Lemonade (or Hot Cocoa) Stand
Invest your $10 in lemonade mix (or hot cocoa mix if it’s winter), and set up a drink stand in your front yard. Simple things to do with kids like this can teach important money lessons.
14) Build a Box City
Call an appliance store ahead of time and ask to pick up some large cardboard boxes, which they often give away for free. Get out the markers and work together to create a box city, complete with houses, restaurants and stores.
15) Have a Pajama Day
“Spend a family day where everyone is in their pajamas,” suggests Titus. Play board games, watch movies and have a pillow fight. The best part: it won’t cost you a dime.
16) Thrift Store
“Give everyone $2 and ask them to purchase something for another member of the family,” suggests Anderson. The items everyone picks are sure to bring about laughs and good memories.
In the end, it matters less what you’re doing, and more that your family is together and there is “lots of laughing, encouraging and positive words,” says Anderson.
Sara Ipatenco is a former elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mom and freelance writer. Ipatenco has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, both in child development and elementary education, and has been published in “Teaching Tolerance” and “Family Fun” magazines.
