by Donna Thacker

Created on: December 18, 2008

The one thing that seems to be seriously lacking in families these days is quality time. That doesn't mean just the time everyone is at the dinner table, or in the car being driven to various destinations. Serious quality time is spending the evening together with every family member doing the same thing.

This doesn't have to involve doing something that costs money either. With nearly everyone on a tighter budget, spending money on fun family things is becoming harder and harder to do. Most children don't know how to have fun unless they are in a video arcade, skating rink, or some other family activity center. It's up to the parents to show them ways to have fun as a family, and stick to a budget.

Younger children will get a big kick out of a family slumber party. If you want to make it really special, print some invitations on a computer. Make it sound like a fancy, gala occasion. Ask your family to arrive in your living room at a certain time, dressed in the proper attire. The proper attire, of course is their pajamas.

Get the room ready before their "arrival" by placing mattresses or sleeping bags all together, in front of the television, like one giant bed. Set up a basket near the sleeping area and toss in some favorite family movies. If you can afford it, purchase or rent a movie the family has been asking to see.

Make sure you have plenty of snacks set out before hand. Cookies, cheese and crackers or even micro-wave popcorn will make children happy. Spread the mattresses or sleeping area with some old sheets so no one has to worry about spills and crumbs. Nobody gets to sit on the furniture! Everyone has to lounge on the giant bed. Join in and munch with your kids! Don't worry about the crumbs, tomorrow is another day.

Watch as many movies as you want, as late as you want, and fall asleep snuggled close to your child. So you slept in some crumbs or popcorn. You also have the memories of spending family fun time with your children. How priceless is that?

Think back to the bygone days. Families did all sorts of fun things together that didn't cost money. Remember when you were young and enjoyed board games or playing cards with your parents as entertainment? If you don't have any board games, check with a local thrift store or Goodwill.

Older children may bulk at first, but they will soon get involved in the competition of it all. Check the same thrift store or Goodwill for large puzzles too. Set up a card table somewhere that can be left up. Start the puzzle yourself, if necessary, but make sure you complain to everyone in your family that you just can't seem to find the pieces.

Sure, it might be a sneaky trick, but you will soon have your whole family scooted up to that table. Get them involved in the hunt to see who can find the most pieces, and soon your puzzle will be done. Get them to help you brush glue over the back of it, and you'll have a great keepsake of your time spent together. Family fun time does not have to break your budget. Just use your imagination and enjoy yourself.

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