by Deborah Allan

Created on: September 28, 2009   Last Updated: September 29, 2009

Not all families are the same. This is why it is important to find things to entertain every family that is not too expensive. Every family deserves the right to spend time together and enjoy this time, especially when time seems to fly by so quickly. So, what affordable things can families do to have a fun, entertaining time together?

1) Family Game Night-You can find a huge selection of board games for really cheap at stores like Wal-mart, Zellars and Target. Depending on the age of the children, and the things those children are "into" it really is up to the family to decide which games they would like to play. A great game is "Scene it" or some edition to this game, like "Friends" or "Disney". The reason this game is so popular these days is because we do watch so much television, that it is almost impossible to get these wrong. Also, there are thousands of questions, so you can play them multiple times.

2) Movie Night-Before you say something to the effect of "My kids watch enough TV" let me remind you that in most cases this is true, but when was the last time the whole family watched a movie together? If the kids picked a couple of movies that are age appropriate, then mom and dad were in charge of the snacks, the night could be very enjoyable, and it may cost less than $20.

3) Camping out- If your family enjoys the outdoors, and camping is a favorite, then my next suggestion is to set up the tent and have a fire in the back yard. Roast some marshmallows, roll out the tents and bond. You don't have to pay for gas to get to a camp ground, or pay the camp ground fees, and it is so much easier and less stress free.

4) Bowling- On a budget? Here's an idea. Take your kids, and maybe a friend for each kid, bowling. Lanes usually charge by the hour so you have to pay the flat rate anyways, but make it fun. Letting your kids bring a friend, let's them know that you care enough to share this time with them, and maybe makes you look cool as well.

5) Crafts Nights-Get your photos together and let's get started. Let the kids help organize the pictures and put them in albums. Get them to grab their crayons and some paper and ask them to make some pictures to put in the albums with the photos. They get to help and create their own special touch all at the same time, and if you make it fun, either by buying special craft additions like glitter, then they are more apt to want to do it again.

There are many ways to entertain the family without spending tons of money. Ask your family what they want to do, and make a list. Rank these ideas in order from least expensive to most expensive, and let the kids decide that if they want to do the most expensive things, that they need to help mom and dad save, and in the mean time, do the other things on the list, to show them that they can have fun and will have fun. Enjoy!

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