Frugal Family Fun Jar

If you're staying home for Spring Break, be prepared for the “I'm bored” syndrome with a Frugal Family Fun Jar!

Here's how:

• Write down frugal family fun activities on strips of paper – it really is possible to have fun on a budget!
• Fold up the strips of paper and put them in a jar.
• Each day let your children choose an activity or two from the frugal family fun jar!
• Enjoy the spontaneity, enjoy new activities and enjoy your family!

Of course, I'll help you get started with all sorts of ideas for frugal family fun!

• Have a Pizza Taste Test and a Movie – Buy an assortment of frozen pizzas and have a taste test for dinner while you enjoy a movie. Think of all the possibilities beyond pizza taste tests! I'd vote for an ice cream taste test!
• Make Ice Cream Sundaes – Here's your chance to taste test ice cream!
• Try Minute to Win It Challenges – Host your own Minute to Win It event. The silly challenges use everyday household items, and the possibilities are endless! Check out some Minute to Win It challenges that are easy enough to do at home.
• Watch Family Videos – Pull out the old family videos for some FREE entertainment! My teenagers always get a laugh out of watching themselves as crazy toddlers!
• Host a Cooking School – Stop watching Food Network and start cooking! Your kids will love learning to cook and eating their creations. Add to the fun by letting them choose the recipes.
• Take a Hike – Pack a picnic and take a hike on a nearby nature trail. When our children were little, they loved going to Skidaway Island State Park and walking on the trail with bridges, marsh, fiddler crabs and even a tall tower where we enjoyed our picnic! Go exploring and save money.
• Try a Backyard Campout – Pitch a tent, tell ghost stories, play flashlight tag, catch fireflies and cook s'mores on your grill.
• Organize a Game Night – Put a fun twist on family game night by allowing the winner to choose tomorrow night's dinner menu.
• Enjoy a Bike Ride – Doesn't a family bike ride sound like fun? You could even stop for ice cream along the way!
• Visit the Library – Check to see if your library has any special events planned for spring break.
• Tackle a Puzzle – When's the last time your family sat around a table working on a puzzle?
• Have a Lemonade Stand – Don't limit your lemonade stand just to summer!
• Plant a Garden – Fruits and Veggies just taste better when you plant them yourself.
• Go on a Factory Tour – FactoryToursUSA.com offers a state by state listing of factory tours, and most tours are free!
• Spend a Morning at The Farmer's Market – When you get home with all your produce, have a veggie plate for dinner!
• Check out a New Playground – There's bound to be a playground or park in your area that you've been wanting to try!
• Go Berry Picking – Use all those berries to make a pie or how about Strawberry Jam?
• Learn a New Craft – Has your daughter always wanted to learn to knit or has she been begging to make a scrapbook? Now's your chance to teach her.

 
There you have it, 18 frugal family fun ideas to get you started! What ideas can you add to this list?