3 Free Family-Fun Ideas
Hannah Daniel writes for a blog backed by 1Dental.com, which offers an affordable dental insurance alternative. She enjoys helping families save money and keeping them up to date on dental news through the dental blog.
If your family is tired of sitting around the dinner table playing scrabble or huddling around the TV watching reruns, you may have a difficult time getting anyone interested in family time anymore. I grew up with very limited TV privileges in a frugal family of six, so my parents had to be creative with family time. As a result, I have plenty of fond memories of simple but fun activities. Revolutionize your own family time with these three wallet-friendly options.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Pick a day with great weather and go on a scavenger hunt. You can send every man for himself around the neighborhood or split into two teams with Mom and Dad driving around town to pick up clues. Compile a list of random items to find, or list specific (but perhaps obscure) landmarks. Each person/team should bring a camera to record their findings. Most cellular phones have cameras, so everyone should have access to some sort of photographic device. Add a competitive time element and point system and set everyone loose! This might take a little secretive planning on your end, especially if you want to set props at different locations, but a successful scavenger hunt is worth it.
Cookie Contest
Hold a cookie shaping and decorating contest for the family with a funny award for everyone. Even rowdy boys can end up with some elaborate dinosaurs and monster trucks. For decorations, try icing, raisins, food coloring, nuts, sprinkles and small pieces of fruit. If you would prefer not to purchase icing or other decorative elements, you can simply let everyone shape their own cookies and leave it at that. If you don’t have cookie cutters, stretch everyone’s creative side by having them mold their own shapes from the dough. Afterward, compare cookies, award prizes and eat!
Talent Show
Plan a goofy talent show for the family by getting everyone involved. Tell everyone a few days in advance to work on something funny to perform. Be sure to leave room for spontaneous improvisational performances! If you can’t think of anything, look on YouTube for funny ideas to imitate. When the time comes, set the stage in the living room (or any open space) and start the program. For extra entertainment, record the performances with a video camera and save them for an opportune moment when your children are in college.
Once you have debuted a few successful events, you can even get your kids involved in planning the next one. All it takes is a little creativity to pull together a memorable family night at no cost.
Good ideas!