Under the Median: 20 FUN, FREE Things To Do With Your Kids

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

20 FUN, FREE Things To Do With Your Kids

I've written a lot about raising kids on a shoestring budget. For instance, in December, I gave you "20 Frugal, Fun Ways to Enjoy Winter Break." We never had a lot of money to spend on "experiences". But, your children don't spell love with the letters M.O.N.E.Y. They spell it, T.I.M.E. So, today, let's take a look at twenty FUN, FREE things to do with your kids. You'll notice that some of them are seasonal. Whenever possible, I've provided actual photos of our family doing these activities.

1. Take a hike

2. Go on a picnic

This has been one of our favorite family activities. For many years, we had regular Friday Night Picnics. I wrapped up whatever I made for supper and we toted it to a local park. I wrote about this tradition, here. My oldest son voted this his top growing up memory and requested one last family Friday Night Picnic the evening before he left for college.

3. Play a board game

4. Have a scavenger hunt

5. Cook

6. Read a book

My oldest son is now 22 and he is reading really complicated books at college.

7. Dress up in costumes with them.

Dressed for an Ellis Island day.

8. Work a puzzle

9. Go to the park

10. Ride a bike.

11. Listen to music

We are incredibly eclectic when it comes to music. We have introduced our boys to everything from jazz to classic rock. My oldest son went through a Gregorian chant phase and, in turn, introduced me to some genres, to which I would never have considered listening.

Bonus Idea: Hand each family member a pad of plain white paper and a pencil before the music begins. Then, as you listen, every person creates a sketch of how the music makes them feel. After the music ends, each person gets to share their drawing and tell the other family members about it.