Thrifty Ideas for Kids' Activities

Thrifty Backyard Fun

• You don't have to buy high-powered water guns or other outdoor equipment for your kids to have fun outside. Engage your kids in classic children's games that require no equipment, such as freeze tag, red rover and red light, green light. Use old cardboard boxes, small tables, the garden hose, chairs and other objects around your house to create a cool obstacle course for the kids. Hand your kids child-size magnifying glasses to explore nature in the backyard and help them plant their own vegetable garden. Make a homemade slip slide by spreading plastic sheeting and covering it with water. Lay out blankets when the sun goes down and stargaze, pointing out the Big Dipper and other constellations.

Thrifty Crafting

• Create crafts with your kids out of discarded household items and a few inexpensive art supplies. Make puppets out of brown paper bags, using the flap on the bottom of the bag for the face. Cut out eyes and other facial figures from construction paper. Your kids can also use old plastic containers, such as yogurt cups or pint-size milk bottles, to make decorative pencil holders by covering the bottle in decoupage glue, which is made with 3 parts regular glue and 1 part water. Cover the glue with strips of decorative paper such as tissue paper. Cotton balls can be used to make paper plate lambs and you can use toilet paper rolls to make a simple bird feeder.

Thrifty Indoor Fun

• When inclement weather keeps you indoors and the kids are too antsy for crafts, imagination can keep boredom from setting in. Give the kids a theme and have them come up with a short skit based on the theme, or have them use their stuffed animals and dolls for a puppet show. Play "hot lava" by throwing the seat cushions on the floor in the living room and tell the kids the floor is made of hot lava. They must jump on the seat cushions and floor pillows to try to tag one another. Make a fort in the living room by draping sheets over chairs and read stories by flashlight. Have a movie night, making homemade popcorn and watching a kid-friendly classic you already own.

Thrifty Outings

• Going out with your family doesn't have to break the bank. Visit a large park that offers walking trails. The kids can do a nature scavenger hunt, or just run and roll around on the grass. Visit the library or children's book stores for free story time events. Check out your city's event calender to see if they offer free outdoor movies or concerts in the summer. Visit kid-friendly museums when they offer free days. Enjoy the free entertainment often found at farmer's markets. A trip to a petting zoo is generally low-cost as well. Plan a camping trip near a lake, so your kids can fish, go swimming and ride their bikes. Check out a local high school or college sporting event, which are often low-cost or even free.