We can just sit with our kids and play for a bit to be reminded of how much fun they really are. Sometimes we forget that our kids grow way too fast and that time goes by way too quickly. You may think that you need money in order for your kids to have some real fun. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
These 35 things to do for fun on a shoestring budget can help you make lasting memories but still be a frugal family.
In our minds, it can be easy to fall into thoughts that equate having fun with spending money. I live in a second world country now and trust me, money has nothing to do with the amount of fun our family can have. We have no choice because we don’t have the money to take expensive trips or do expensive things.
The media and marketing have done an exceedingly good job at making theme parks and Disney World/Disneyland seem like the ultimate fun thing to do. This is false. Not being able to afford expensive fun or not having access to fun places to go, forced my family to make our own fun and on a shoestring budget.
My kids learned to have fun taking a walk by the beach. They learned to have fun playing outside in the rain. Now, I think this is exactly what was on the mind when people developed International Frugal Fun Day held on the first Saturday of every October.
International Frugal Fun Day is a celebration of having frugal fun without having to spend much at all, appreciating the simple joy all around us. Some families aim to spend $5.00 and under – the less the better. A few ideas I can think of off the top of my head are:
- Flying a kite
- Having a picnic at a local park
- Water balloon fights
- Going fishing
- Watching a sports game at the park
- Taking your kids for a scavenger hunt
- Carving a pumpkin
- Visiting a beach
- Having family movie nights at home
- Having a dance battle (Yes, a dance battle. My kids love it.)
The options are endless. If you are getting stumped or want to think outside of the box, then no worries.
Check out these 35 things you can do for fun on a shoestring budget:
4 Fun Ideas For Entertaining Your Kids At Home | Every Mum
FREE Kids Activities – 8+ No Cost Things to Do With Your Children | What Mommy Does
60+ Cheap Or Free Things To Do With Kids | Ninja Budgeter
40 Free Things For A Family To Do On A No-Spend Weekend | Struggle Today Strength Tomorrow
8 Free and Frugal Activities for Children | Money Saving Mom
22 Inexpensive yet Fun Activities to Do with Kids Indoors & Outdoors | Morning Chores
19 Free Kids Activities to do throughout the Year in any State | Living Tickled
101 Free Things To Do With Kids That Will Keep Them Busy, Not Bored | Seaside Sundays
10 At Home Fun Frugal Family Nights | Homebody
101 Frugal Summer Fun Ideas for Kids! {Boredom Busters} |The Frugal Girls.com
51 Free and Fun Things to Do with the Kids on a No Spend Weekend |Clean Eating with Kids
100 Fun and Frugal Activities To Do With Your Family | Bargain Babe
Super Fun Staycation Ideas | True Aim Education
Frugal Family Fun Series | My Mommy World
A Budget Family Activity You Probably Haven’t Thought Of | Time and Peace
How to have Fun When You are on a Budget | Money Savvy Living
Stuck at Home? Here’s 15 Free Things You Can Do For Fun | Medium Sized Family
50 Free Things To Do When You’re Bored To Save Money For A No-Spend Weekend | The Wallet Moth
Family Fun Ain’t Cheap…Or Is It? 12 Frugal Earth Friendly Family Activities | My Son’s Father
Frugal Tips for a Fun Day Trip | House of Hermens
Budget Family Night: 6 Cheap but Fun Ideas | Mommy Evolution
29 Free Things to Do at the Library |Affording Motherhood
How to Find Field Trips for Free | Our Roaming Hearts
30 Super Fun Free Things To Do This Weekend | Mommy Thrives
101 Creative, Fun, Free Things to Do With Your Kids Today | Vigor It Out
Over 25 Fun Things to Do Over a No-Spend Weekend |Dollarsprout
10 Frugal Things to do on a Rainy Day | My Joy-Filled Life
Things You Can Do for Fun on a Shoestring Budget for teens:
Fun Things To Do With Teens without Spending A Lot | Sunshine and Rainy Days
10 Fun Things to Do with Your Teens | All Pro Dad
Things You Can Do for Fun on a Shoestring Budget for Fall:
25 Fall Activities for Families On A Tight Budget | Snail Pace Transformations
21 Frugal Fall Activities for The Whole Family | Deliberately Here
5 Fun & Free Ways to Enjoy Fall | Money Saving Mom
Frugal Fall Activities | Saving & Simplicity
Frugal Fall Family Fun | Kids Ain’t Cheap
Fun Fall Budget-Friendly Fall Activities | My Learning Table
You might also enjoy this post: 4 Card Games Every Family Should Know How to Play
Would you like to explore some frugal books:
Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You’ve Probably Never Thought OfThe Minimalist Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused LifeGardening on a Shoestring: 100 Fun Upcycled Garden ProjectsEverywhere for Nothing: Free Travel for the Modern NomadThe No-Spend Challenge Guide: How to Stop Spending Money Impulsively, Pay off Debt Fast, & Make Your Finances Fit Your DreamsThe Minimalist Budget: A Practical Guide On How To Save Money, Spend Less And Live More With A Minimalist Lifestyle
International Frugal Fun Day is coming soon. Take some of these ideas, enjoy time with your family, and have fun on a shoestring budget.
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Jeannette is a wife, mother and homeschooling mom. She has been mightily, saved by grace and is grateful for God’s sovereignty throughout her life’s journey. She has a Bachelor in English Education and her MBA. Jeannette is bi-lingual and currently lives in the Tongan Islands of the South Pacific. She posts daily freebies for homeschoolers!
