If you are looking for more frugal articles, send me an email.

Thanks for your interest

Fisher ThriftyFun.com fisher_swanson@yahoo.com

- Start Article -

Frugal Entertainment for Whole Family By Fisher Swanson

Here are some frugal entertainment ideas for whole family.

Board Games

Board games are a great investment. If well taken care of, they can easily last a generation. You can often find them at garage sales for a dollar or two, even new board games. Every family should have some basics like cards, dominoes, chess, and checkers.

Movie Night

Rent a movie, pop some popcorn and entertain whole family for a couple hours. Take turns picking out what movie to watch. You can order DVDs or videos from library for free. Sometimes there is a wait but many libraries allow you to place holds online and receive notifications when your items are available.

Discount Movie Theatres

Most areas have at least one movie theatre that runs older movies for cheap prices. All you have to do is wait until movie has been out a for a few months and it will eventually show up at one of these theatres. Ticket prices can be even less than a matinee and are sometimes double features. Drive-in movie theatres can also be great bargains.

Minor League Sports

If your area has a minor league team they can be a lot of fun to watch and much cheaper than their major league counterparts. The minor league stars of today are often major league stars of tomorrow.

Playgrounds, State Parks and Local Parks

Most parks are free, especially if you are not camping. Pack a picnic lunch or bring some barbecue. Try out different parks in your area until you find your favorites. Bring a frisbee and a dog!

Support Arts

The days are getting longer, grass is getting greener, wildflowers are blooming -- it must be spring!

It's a great time to get outdoors with your children. Try these ideas for fun activities.

1. Just take a drive. Check out a book from library on wildflowers in your area and pile everyone in car! Get off beaten path, so you can cruise slow enough to check out scenery. See how many wildflowers you can identify.

Take your camera along and snap pictures of kids and wildflowers. It might even be fun to pick a few and take them home and press them. These pressed flowers can be used in craft projects or just a collection as a way to remember a fun day!

Look around as you drive; spring is a time of rebirth. You may be lucky enough to spot baby calves or newborn colts.

2. If you live in or near a city that has one, visit zoo. Usually, admission is low and this is a trip children always enjoy. Take a picnic and stop at a park on way. Some zoos have a picnic area on their grounds. And be sure to carry water for thirst-quenching instead of buying expensive, unhealthy sodas at concessions.