| During the recent "schools out session", I was | | | | recommend it for a great workout. That means |
| reminded how much the kids crave entertainment. | | | | four kids can get in for $4. Three hours of fun |
| No matter what time of year the "Kids Just | | | | for $4. You can't beat it! I could get us in for |
| Wanna Have Fun." And who could blame them? I | | | | even less . . .only $2. We have a local grocery |
| don't think there are many of us who haven't | | | | store that prints coupons on back of the receipts, |
| longed for the carefree, playful days of our youth. | | | | one of the most frequent coupons I get ....the |
| I have four of these carefree fun hungry kids. | | | | local roller skating rink "buy one entrance fee, get |
| Keeping them entertained on a tight budget is | | | | one free" . I prefer not to use these for family |
| always a challenge. | | | | night since my oldest daughter likes to go to the |
| I have discovered over the years that more | | | | rink on "teen night" The rink socks it to them at |
| money doesn't necessarily mean more fun. In | | | | $6 an entry. They know where the money is! |
| fact, some of the simplest, age old activities, | | | | This is a social event that many teens in the area |
| seem to feed their fun hungry souls the best. | | | | just can't miss! This way she can get in free if |
| Remember, in the "old days" that is the "very old | | | | she goes with a paying friend. Sometimes, just to |
| days". Family gatherings provided a great source | | | | be fair, we share the savings with her friends and |
| of entertainment. It's hard to believe that in | | | | each of them only has to pay $3. This way she |
| today's fast paced, high tech, world that children | | | | doesn't feel like she's taking advantage of anyone. |
| still enjoy this kind of interaction. | | | | - Bowling: this can be a great low cost avenue for |
| I have found that for some reason, maybe | | | | FUN if you don't get carried away. Usually you |
| because it validates their own behaviors, kids love | | | | have to pay by the game, per person. So set |
| to hear stories of when we were young. No, not | | | | your limits and have fun. Most lanes have bumper |
| the kind that remind them of how good they | | | | guards now that prevent the little ones from |
| have it today. I'm talking about our childhood | | | | excessive "gutter ball blues" It helps put the fun |
| antics, the times when we misbehaved, did | | | | back in it for the very young children. A great |
| something wrong, and the consequences. | | | | feature. Even for the fumbling adult. Who am I |
| Most of us have funny moments in our life that | | | | kidding, I love those bumper guards! Most alleys |
| just stick with us. Sometimes they weren't so | | | | have a discount night. So, try to plan your |
| funny at the time at least from our prospective, | | | | activities so you can enjoy the benefits of the |
| then. My kids love to hear stories of my childhood | | | | discounts. Just a Note: Both of the above |
| antics, when I broke the rules, how I felt about it, | | | | businesses usually offer birthday party rates as |
| and what punishment I had to endure because of | | | | well. If you're not into planning your own party at |
| it. They especially like the punishment part. Some | | | | home (by far the most economical way) then |
| sort of satisfaction knowing that I had to endure | | | | consider checking out the party packages. |
| the cruelties of punishment also! | | | | - Cookouts and Picnics: Cookouts don't have to be |
| Of course it doesn't sound amusing to talk about | | | | for special occasions. We have several wonderful |
| times when you got in trouble. But, those | | | | parks in our area that sport wonderful |
| memories are funny to us now that we look | | | | playgrounds and scenic walking or biking trails. So |
| back at our childhood. Sure we can laugh now......... | | | | take the boredom out of lunch one Saturday or |
| We're a lot smarter and see the innocence of our | | | | Sunday afternoon and throw together a cookout |
| ways. | | | | or picnic at your local park. My kids just need to |
| This is a great way to also remind ourselves that | | | | get out of the house sometimes. They don't |
| we were once kids also. And not so different | | | | really care where they go, as long as they go |
| than our own kids. With much the same | | | | somewhere! Parks are a great resource for free |
| innocence, gullibility, and scheming potential. Ahhhh... | | | | fun! The internet is a great resource for finding |
| a great tool for reminding us that at least some | | | | new, different, and exciting parks in your area. |
| of the behaviors we frown on in our kids is just | | | | Just do a simple search and you will probably be |
| the normal age old process of growing up! A very | | | | amazed at the numerous parks within driving |
| reassuring thought when you're ready to pull your | | | | distance from your home. So keep it interesting |
| hair out. | | | | and travel a little bit to get to exciting new places! |
| In some ways this ritual of reminiscing shows our | | | | An extra bonus . . . . You will be making great |
| children that we love them unconditionally. That | | | | memories for your kids!:) |
| we understand. Why, because we've been there, | | | | - Museums and Historical Landmarks: Don't think |
| done that. And we acted in many ways , and felt | | | | you have any near you? Bet Ya' do! Why even in |
| in many ways , the same way they do today. Its | | | | the far out sticks of nowhere you might be |
| true that some things never change. I have a | | | | surprised to find a museum within a reasonable |
| shorter list of tales to tell being one of three | | | | distance. I am blessed to live in a highly cultural |
| siblings. My husband on the other hand is one of | | | | area between Washington DC and Baltimore. So |
| eleven children, and he can keep them in belly | | | | museums, tourists attractions, and historic |
| busting laughter for hours, leaving them begging | | | | landmarks (yes many of them Free) are |
| for more. Telling not only his own antics but those | | | | abundant. But, no matter where you live, do a |
| of his brothers and sisters. | | | | little research (yes, again) and I'll bet you'll find |
| So, if you ever find everyone sitting around | | | | some interesting attraction or museum convenient |
| looking bored to the gills, start up a casual | | | | to your home. If in a rare case you don't, then |
| conversation and work in some of your funny | | | | plan to visit an area on a weekend trip where you |
| moments in life. You'll have them begging for | | | | can enjoy these types of historic attractions. |
| more and more tales. "Tell some more, tell some | | | | - Family Game Night:- I know that many times |
| more!" And the best part ..... It's Free | | | | after a hard days work we just want to sit, |
| Entertainment! | | | | relax, and well, basically, do nothing! But, once you |
| With a little research....what was that?........research? | | | | get in a habit of designating one night "Family |
| If you've been to visit you know this is one of | | | | Game Night" I guarantee you'll look forward to it. |
| my pet peeves..... If you don't know what's out | | | | This is a great way interact with your kids. It's |
| there or if you don't know what you're looking | | | | fun, educational, and provides an opportunity for |
| for, you're doomed to spend too much of your | | | | conversation (Now that's something those teens |
| hard earned money! | | | | don't offer up much). Choose games that |
| There no disputing the fact that an " Informed | | | | everyone enjoys and is capable of doing. Games |
| Consumer = More Savings! " There! I said it again. | | | | that suit the family's entire age span are always |
| Boy did that feel good. Well now that I got that | | | | more fun. And, there are many out there. If you |
| off my chest let me share some ideas on this | | | | have a large family with some large age |
| FUN thing. | | | | differences, you can opt to have two game |
| - Roller skating- went once a week when I was a | | | | nights so you can include games suited for the |
| kid. Loved it! Guess what? My kids love it too! And | | | | younger children that the older ones might get |
| it's cheap if you do your research. Our local rink | | | | bored with. Of course, always provide the option |
| has a family night. Get this, $1 to get in $1 for | | | | for older ones to be included. Sometimes, believe |
| skates if you need to rent. If you make this a | | | | it or not, they just enjoy the quality time with |
| regular outing, invest in the skates. That's one of | | | | parents and siblings. :) |
| those birthday or Christmas gifts that will pay you | | | | Well, I'm hoping these ideas will keep you busy for |
| back in the long run. My husband and I don't | | | | now! And remember, it doesn't have to cost alot |
| skate, those days are gone. Although I highly | | | | to be alot of FUN! |