Free And Cheap Entertainment Ideas For The Family

You dont have to spend a lot of money to have a fun family night (or day) out. Here are a few ideas for cheap and free entertainment fun for the whole family:

1. Movie Night at Home. With the popularity of Redbox and other movie box rental machines, it is now easy to rent dvds at your local grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations for only $1 a night. Grab a family friendly flick, pop up some popcorn, and enjoy an inexpensive evening at home together!

2. Picnic in the Park - Make some sandwiches, pack some juice boxes, and head off to the nearest park for a picnic. Take a Frisbee, ball, or kite and the whole family can enjoy some fresh air and exercise together.

3. Watch for Free or Discounted Admission - Many zoos, museums, or science centers have discounted or free days. Be on the look out for these bargains. Or, if there is a place you like to frequent as a family, you should consider buying a family membership. Its much cheaper plus its usually tax deductible!

Bank of America currently offers free admission for their customers the first weekend of every month to hundreds of zoos, museums, etc. Just check their website for details. There are frequently offers like this out there. My local grocery store always has discounted tickets to the State Fair, Water Parks, and Amusement Parks.

4. Check out Local Cultural Events - Hit the rodeo, the Greek Festival, or whatever else happens to be going on it town at the moment. They are usually free or inexpensive to get in to and the whole family while get to experience a little culture!

5. Parades! - Everybody loves them. They are fun, entertaining, and free! Be on the lookout for them as they can be scattered throughout the year but are especially popular around holidays (think Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, etc.)

6. Nature Hike - Take the family on a nature hike. Have fun watching for birds, animals, and unusual insects and gathering pine cones, leaves, and other treasures together. Its a great way to get some exercise and spend some quality time together as a family.

This is just a few of the things you can do together as a family that wont cost a lot of money. There are dozens more out there. Your local newspaper is probably the best source for ideas. Also be on the lookout for discounts and coupons to establishments you like to frequent.