How to Keep the Kids Entertained Over Spring Break and Save Money Too
March 13, 2013When it comes to managing your finances, it seems like every year presents a string of “wrinkles” you have to deal with. If it’s not Christmas gifts, it’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. If it isn’t Valentine’s Day, it’s a summer vacation.
Another common wrinkle on that list is spring break, a week for the family that can easily be the most fun – and the most expensive – of the year. If you’re willing to do some research and get a little creative though, there are plenty of ways you and your family can have a spring break to remember without spending a ton of cash:
1. Look for Free Entertainment Options
Try making this spring break a “stay-cation,” and you might be surprised how many free entertainment options there are right in your hometown. Just perform a quick Internet search and you may discover free cooking classes for kids, arts festivals, sporting events, and concerts. Plan out a detailed itinerary, just as you would for an exotic vacation, and you can pack in exciting activities right in your own back yard.
2. Create Your Own Entertainment
Get a little creative, and you can come up with cheap entertainment options for your kids right in the comfort of your own home. Try taking a set of multi-colored, multi-shaped blocks and build a fun structure like a highrise or steamship. Take turns adding one block at a time and whoever puts the final block in place without tipping it over is the game’s winner. You can even start this as an adults-only game to get the kids enticed and then turn it over to them. My son just milked hours of free entertainment from a project like this.
3. Travel Locally
Check your state’s tourism website and you’re likely to find some interesting sights and activities that don’t require much travel. Perhaps a state park, a historic house, or a quiet nature trail isn’t far away. See if you can sign up for a guided tour or if you prefer to go it alone, print out some maps and information to keep your kids intrigued. Pack a nutritious picnic or find an inexpensive local eatery for lunch and your day is set.
4. Investigate Deal of the Day Websites
If you really want to save on fun activities in your area, use a deal of the day website like Groupon or LivingSocial. You may have to filter through a fair amount of offers (which is a key to avoid overspending), but when you find the right one, this is a great resource for discount entertainment options. If you can get half off the entry price to Monkey Joe’s or Chuck E. Cheese’s, for example, you can have a fun-packed day without spending a ton of cash.
5. Adjust Your Diet
Since you’re providing your kids with breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a full week, it might be time to adjust your household’s diet. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables (and get them from a local farmer’s market if you can), and you can save a ton of money and maintain a healthier household. If you find that this is met with a good response during spring break, keep it going as long as you can.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to saving money on your kids, it really all boils down to creativity. The more fun activities you can come up with, the less time you’re going to spend searching for new toys at Target. Check online for tips if you’re struggling or ask friends and family for any tips that have worked first-hand. If you do it right, any fun game you come up with for your child is certainly going to outlast a new toy.
What ways are you thinking of to save on spring break?