Family Tips: Free and Low Cost Family Fun
With current cost of living pressures, many families are looking for options for having fun together as a family without the hefty price tag that comes with some activities. In this article, we share some free and low cost family fun ideas and activities.
There are many different ways you can spend time together and have lots of fun without spending lots of money…
Outdoor Activities
- If the weather is good, head out for a walk as a family. You can make games along the way, such as counting different items – how many red cars can you see? How many dogs can you count in the park?
- If you live near a play area, beach or park your children will love having unstructured time to explore, climb trees, collect pieces of nature, such as leaves for pressing or seeds to plant or rocks to paint.
- If you have a big family or go with friends you can organise a game of hide and seek or ‘chasies’.
Indoor Games and Activities
- Get out a board game or cards and play something where everyone can join in.
- Make biscuits or cupcakes for friends and family. It’s a great way for children to learn something new, have some good messy fun and make something delicious for the people they care about.
- Teach each other some new dance moves or a song. Or make up a song or dance routine together.
- Take turns reading to each other. Or make up your own story and take turns adding a new page or ‘scene’ to the story.
- Make a slideshow out of your favourite family photos – a great way to reflect together on fun family times you’ve shared.
Crafts & Creativity
Choose one your favourite family photographs and have everyone in the family paint or draw their version of the image.
Do you have one of those jars or boxes somewhere filled with buttons and have no idea what clothes they once belonged to? Children can make beautiful ‘button trees’ and turn your old button collection into their own special masterpieces
Science Fun Activity: ‘No blow’ balloon blowing
You will need:
- Plastic bottle
- Balloon
- Plastic funnel
- Baking Powder / Bi-carb Soda
- White vinegar
This is perfectly safe for young children but we recommend an adult does the set-up:
Put approximately 2 tablespoons of vinegar in the plastic bottle. Using the funnel, put a tablespoon of baking soda inside each balloon. Tightly secure the balloon to the top of the bottle – keep the balloon hanging down so the powder doesn’t spill into the bottle yet.
Children can take it from here:
Make sure they hold the neck of the the balloon tight to the top of the bottle and then lift the bottom of balloon and gently shake the baking powder into the bottle. And then watch the magic begin!!
We hope these ideas will give you some free and low cost family fun inspiration!