| Finding fun things for your family to do can be | | | | decorate blank note cards, so you'll always have a |
| tough if you're on a budget, but if you're creative, | | | | stash of unique cards ready to send out. |
| you'll find there's plenty to do for just pennies. | | | | Cool Cooking |
| With the rising cost of, well, just about | | | | If your kids are like mine, they love to help me |
| everything, it can be difficult to indulge in the kinds | | | | cook and bake. Borrow a kid's cook book from |
| of entertainment you may be used to. Never fear | | | | the library and pick one recipe each week to |
| - there are things you can do that cost very little | | | | work on. Of course baking sweet treats is fun, |
| yet offer hours of family fun. | | | | too, so be sure to keep cake mix, frosting and |
| Game Night | | | | sprinkles on hand to make impromptu cupcakes. |
| Whether it's a board game, charades, video | | | | On Your Marks |
| games, cards or a made-up game, the whole | | | | If you have some open space in your living room |
| family can get in on the action with a night of | | | | or basement, set up an obstacle course and then |
| games. Add some fun snacks to the mix and get | | | | divide your family into teams for some friendly |
| ready for a night of fun. This is a great option for | | | | competition. The obstacle course doesn't need to |
| older kids. | | | | be elaborate, and you can use things you already |
| Movie Night | | | | have on hand such as pillows, laundry baskets and |
| Head to your local video rental store and stock up | | | | chairs. To make it even more challenging, have |
| on some good family movies, then settle in with | | | | contestants perform some sort of feat during |
| some popcorn and candy and enjoy! If you want | | | | one leg of the course, such as carrying a plastic |
| to go all out, you can even print some "movie | | | | egg on a spoon without dropping it. |
| tickets" and dim the lights to recreate the full | | | | Befriend Books |
| movie experience. (Spilling popcorn and drinks on | | | | If you really need to get out of the house, check |
| the floor is optional!) Best of all, you can always | | | | out your local library. Both kids and adults love |
| hit pause for bathroom breaks and no one cares | | | | browsing the books, and some locations even |
| how loud you're laughing. | | | | offer story times and computers with Internet |
| A Craft Affair | | | | access and kid-friendly games. |
| Do your little ones love to paint, color, cut and | | | | Family fun doesn't have to cost a fortune. Try |
| glue? Have them make decorations for whichever | | | | some of the ideas above or use them as starting |
| holiday is approaching. You can also have them | | | | points for creating your own brand of fun. |