The definition of Frugal is: sparing or economical with regard to money or food. Is it possible to have fun without spending a bundle? If you are on social networks, I’m sure you have seen your share of fancy trips, elegant dinners out, and expensive events your “friends” have shared. When I was a kid there was no such thing as social networking. It was, in my opinion a better life. My parents were full of frugal family fun ides. We used to go to a roadside park with a picnic lunch, where the big draw was climbing up and down a big sand hill. My siblings and I were so excited about the outing we could hardly sleep the night before. As an adult, I asked my dad “how did you make that outing sound so fun?”
His response “It’s all in the hype! You just have to make it sound super great and kids will believe you.” The truth is it was actually really fun and we always looked forward to it. Kids don’t need expensive vacations, fancy meals, and extravagant events. They just want to play and enjoy time with their families. It’s adults who need to spend a bundle to impress their social network “friends”.
International Frugal Fun Day is the first Saturday in October. The idea is to do something fun that costs less than five dollars. I’m assuming this is five dollars per person. It is a great day to get started with a frugal fun home life.
Frugal Fun Ideas at home:
Dinner and a movie
At my house we usually eat dinner at the table, but as a special event we allow the kids to eat in front of the TV. For little ones we set up a table, but older kids can manage with a tray. We make a big deal about how much fun it will be to enjoy dinner and a movie. We ask the kids for movie suggestions, dinner suggestions, and dessert suggestions. Our kids always get so excited, even help set up for the big event!
Make your own pizza night
This is a family favorite at my house. In the summer we grill the pizza, in cooler seasons we just bake them either way it is fun. We make our own pizza crust and prepare a bunch of topping options. Everyone makes their own creation. We bake or grill them in shifts and eat on the deck in good weather or at the dining room table in cooler weather. The kids love it!
Family game night-best games by age
Family game night is a frugal family fun idea. In my opinion the fun increases for the parents as the kids get older. I can’t stand playing mind numbing games like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders. What are the best family games for each age?
- Preschool: Hullabaloo, Hide and seek, Spot It Jr
- Early Elementary: Skip Bo or Uno, Sorry or Trouble
- Late Elementary: Ticket to Ride, Sequence, Dominos, Rummikub, Throw Throw Burrito
- Middle School: Dutch Blitz, Codenames, Apples to Apples, Telestrations, Scattergories, Exploding Kittens
- High School: Beyond Balderdash, Jackbox.tv, Euchre, Spades, Coup, Here to Slay, The Resistance
For more family game ideas check out my post on fun games to play.
Do a Family Craft
A Family craft can be excellent frugal fun. It can be a simple as making slime or playdoh or as complicated as building a birdhouse. Or anything in between. Make candles, soap, birdfeeders, decorations, jewelry, or anything fun!
Bake Something as a Family
Nothing could be more frugal fun than baking together as a Family. Pick out a seasonal favorite and get to work. Maybe a pie would be a nice choice. Try my best pie crust with your favorite filling. Or choose something that will be fun to decorate like cookies or cupcakes.
Enjoy the great outdoors as a family
Playing outside is usually free of charge. There are plenty of ways to have fun in your backyard or neighborhood.
- Go for a walk, with or without a scavenger hunt
- Play catch or frisbee
- Go for a bike ride
- Do something seasonally appropriate: run through a sprinkler, jump in the leaves, build a snowman
- Draw with chalk, play hopscotch
- Build a fort
- Climb a tree
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