If your kids are like most, they probably spend a good portion of their leisure time watching or playing on digital devices. There’s arguably no harm in spending an hour or two playing video games or watching a favorite movie. However, excessive screen time may have a link to problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and poor mood. According to Mayo Clinic, being sedentary for too long can also lead to obesity and other health conditions.
For many parents, keeping kids active and entertained without screens can be a huge challenge. It’s hard to figure out family-friendly activities that are both fun and inexpensive. But with a little ingenuity, it’s possible to come up with creative things to do that your kids will actually enjoy. Here are eight activities that will keep your kids engaged for hours without breaking the bank.
1. Head to the Playground
If you’re looking for free opportunities for fun, don’t overlook your local school or neighborhood playground. You’ll only pay for the gas you need to get there (unless you walk or ride bikes). From swing sets for kids to rock climbing walls, most playgrounds have enough diversity to satisfy a wide range of interests and ages. Some even have basketball courts to keep the older kids engaged while the younger ones play on the slides.
2. Hold a Blanket Fort Contest
It doesn’t cost any money to build an indoor fort made from household blankets or sheets. To make this activity even more fun, consider splitting the family up into teams and having a fort-building contest. Award points and simple prizes for features like the biggest, most unique, and most durable forts. When you’re all finished, consider joining the separate forts to create one giant fort that’s big enough for everyone to play board games in.
3. Explore Nearby Trails
Many kids balk at the mention of physical activity, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can make exercise fun by turning it into a game or a challenge. For example, you can create a family challenge to explore one new trail each week. To maximize engagement, create a scavenger hunt so your kids can look for interesting items during each hike. For example, you might have them look for a heart-shaped rock, specific types of wildlife, or certain plants. This can also be a great opportunity to teach them how to identify wild herbs and flowers.
4. See What Your Local Library Has to Offer
Many local libraries offer activities and rental opportunities many families don’t even know about. For example, some have family-friendly activity kits containing sewing machines, pickleball supplies, or metal detectors. Others offer weekly activities like craft nights, storytelling hours, and after-school programs for children. Check with your local library to see what types of activities and programs they have to offer.
5. Go Camping
If you already have a tent, sleeping bags, and other basic camping supplies, taking your family camping can be a fun, low-cost activity. You will need to invest in some food and snacks, but these can be fairly inexpensive if you’re thoughtful about what you buy. A few hot dogs and smores roasted on sticks is cheaper than most meals at home. Spending time together outdoors is also a wonderful way to build family bonds and give children an exciting change of scenery. You could also use it as an opportunity to teach them life skills whether that’s fishing, building a fire, or cooking.
6. Go on a Geocaching Treasure Hunt
Geocaching is a hobby that involves finding caches of “treasure” in hidden containers placed in specific locations by other geocachers. The activity began in early 2000 and has grown to include over three million geocache locations. To get started, you’ll need to create a free basic account on geocaching.com. Then, you can find geocaches near you that contain swag or trade items. The unspoken rule of thumb is that you leave something of equal or greater value than the item you take. It’s a great way to gamify getting outside and exploring for the kids.
7. Volunteer to Walk Dogs at a Local Animal Shelter
If you’re looking for ways to get your young adult kids to engage in more physical activity, head to a local animal shelter. Most shelters allow volunteers who are 18 or older to walk dogs for free. This is a wonderful way to keep your older kids engaged and physically fit while also serving your community. Some shelters also have puppy nurseries, and younger kids may be able to help socialize puppies. Be aware that your children will most likely want to adopt a dog, so establish firm rules in advance if this isn’t an option.
8. Visit Local Museums
Many museums offer reasonable admission rates. Some even have free admission days once a week or during special occasions. Take advantage of free or reduced-rate opportunities to expose your children to local history, art, and culture. Invite children to bring notebooks with them so they can write down their favorite museum features. Then, compare notes at the end to see the similarities and differences between each child’s interests.
Keeping your family entertained and engaged doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. Feel free to draw from these ideas and come up with your own list of budget-friendly activities. Remember to plan in advance and pack lunches as needed so you don’t have to spend money on costly restaurant food while you’re out. As you participate in inexpensive hands-on activities with your family, you’ll save money while building lifelong memories and boosting physical and mental health.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
