Posted by Nancy Phillips on Tue, Aug 05, 2014

This is a guest post by Sarah Brooks from Freepeoplesearch.org. She is a Houston based freelance writer and blogger. Thank you for your ideas Sarah!

Parents continually face economic issues, managing household budgets and responding to the financial needs of the whole family.  And while children play a huge role in financial planning and management, they are generally oblivious to money matters - at least until a certain age. 

Things kids are most familiar with, on the other hand, are recreation, entertainment and easygoing good times. And since most parents coincidentally need more leisure in their lives, saving money on entertainment is a great way for parents and kids to rally together in ways that benefit them both.  Kids learn about economical fun, while parents keep family entertainment costs in line - a win/win for financial literacy and domestic budgeting. 

Summer recreation options fall across a wide range of choices that can challenge family budgets when left unchecked.  Splurging on a major outing now and again is reasonable when resources allow for it, but keeping the whole family entertained, day after day, can be an expensive proposition if budget leisure activities are not incorporated into the recreational mix. 

These activities furnish leisure distractions and life skills all at once, so put your own spin on these budget-friendly ideas.

Let the Games Begin

Nothing brings a family closer together than shared interests and activities, so games furnish a great resource for low-budget family fun.  For starters, games are indoor/outdoor activities that can be tailored to accommodate weather and other considerations.  Most games can be played any time of day, without a great deal of special equipment, so they furnish flexible bonding opportunities for families with busy schedules.

Games take many forms and are often free to participate in, or carry low one-time start-up costs for equipment or other needed items.  Board and video games are popular indoor pastimes, while sports and other budget-friendly recreation incorporate exercise and get families outdoors together. When some investment is required, for bicycles, tennis rackets or other recreational gear, kids can be brought-in to the process of acquiring them - passing-on valuable lessons about saving and making "capital" purchases.

On the other hand, perennial favorites like dodgeball, flashlight tag and other child-friendly games are easily accommodated without added expense, furnishing impromptu distractions for youngsters of all ages.

Backyard Tourists

Vacation expenses add-up quickly for families traveling away from home, but budget tourism is probably available in your own neighborhood.  Frequently, we overlook obvious entertainment options near our homes, favoring travel to satisfy our desire for a change of pace. To trim entertainment expenses and keep the whole family occupied, try local attractions on for size, especially those with kid-appeal.  Historical and architectural treasures are a part of many regional tourist opportunities, so adults and older children benefit from local exploration. And in many cases, lessons about government and finance are easily incorporated into your local travels.

Roughing it without ever leaving home is another low-budget entertainment option for family members of various ages. Setting up camp in the backyard, for instance, makes kids feel special, as they learn bonafide camping skills. Activities like pitching a tent and making s'mores over grill coals are enough to simulate the real experience, without the added expense of an actual getaway. 

Seasonal Events

Leisure events cater to busy families, especially during summer months when school is not in session.  As a result, local businesses and organizations furnish low-cost entertainment alternatives for children of various ages - most often held during the day, when they are most needed by moms and dads.  Art fairs, church festivals and other local events are generally kid-friendly during daylight hours, and depending upon the age of your kids, enjoying free music shows together at night might also be appropriate.

Movie Night

Tying financial literacy to kids' entertainment puts a new spin on family fun, while laying-down valuable life lessons for a family's younger members.  Trips to the cinema are expensive, so home movie night is a great way to save money while simultaneously illustrating the value of a home-spun good time.  Start by explaining to kids that some special movie nights are at the theater, but most take place at home.  At the theater, allow kids to participate at the ticket and concessions booths, and then show them the free version at home.  The contrast really helps kids understand that you don't need to compromise a good time to save money and that there are low-cost alternatives for getting the things you want.

Gathering at home for movie night also lends itself to sharing some fun in the kitchen.  Depending on kids' ages, kitchen time might be spent on informative, yet fun cooking lessons, or simply enjoyed as playtime for younger kids. Either way, the bonding time results in family meals to compliment movie night.

Parks and Natural Resources

Sharing public resources with kids helps them understand the nature of community, as well as furnishing healthy low-cost recreational opportunities.  Playing ball at the park, utilizing public pools, and hiking designated nature trails are just a few of the ways kids begin to comprehend public ownership and shared civic resources.

Though kids may not be savvy money managers, they are nonetheless able to grasp important lessons about finances.  And since leisure activities are right in their wheelhouse, keeping kids entertained with low-budget good times is a great way to help them understand the value of a dollar.

Questions and comments can be sent to brooks.sarah23 @ gmail.com.