100+ Things To Do Without Money – How To Have Fun On A Budget
So fun- just like the Cyndi Lauper song “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” I think the same truth applies to everyone else in this world – kids, moms, dads, grandparents, single adults etc.
We all crave a little enjoyment in our lives.
But fun can sometimes be expensive, especially when you are an adult.
In a struggling economy, it can be tough to have a good time without spending at least a few dollars.
Good news though – it can be done!
Even when you are sticking to a tight budget, there are heaps of things you can do without money.
You CAN still go out and have a good time.
There is no rule book that says you have to stay home all the time.
There are so many activities to enjoy that are either cheap or free, for both children and adults.
FIRST THINGS FIRST: What Do You Like to Do?
When you’re looking for things to do on a budget, consider what kinds of activities each member of your family is interested in.
Some people love to spend hours at a museum, while others love movies, the outdoors, sports, or reading.
Try to come to a consensus so that everyone is happy with the chosen activity.
Agreeing on what to do is important.
If you can’t agree, make a list of the things that each person wants to do.
Ensure all of the suggestions are free or inexpensive, based on an established cost limit, then put all the suggestions into a jar and draw one out.
That way, it’s fair to everyone.
The next time, draw another one.
Each person will eventually get what he or she suggested.
Finding Free and Inexpensive Things to Do Without Money
Free and inexpensive activities are easier to find than you think.
The local newspaper will be your friend when you’re looking for things to enjoy.
In nearly every paper there are listings of upcoming community events and activities.
Take advantage of these events!
There will always be some kind of street festival, movie night, parade, or other free activities for you and the kids to enjoy.
You can also search the Internet for other local activities and big events in your city.
Don’t forget to be creative.
There are lots of activities you can do without spending a cent.
Think: picnics in the park, walks along the seashore to hunt for shells, or going for a hike.
These ideas aren’t advertised in the local paper so they are often forgotten forms of entertainment.
Oh and if you live in a smaller or rural area, please don’t give up on finding fun things to do on a budget.
You can always camp out in your backyard or have a movie night where you rent some movies and make popcorn.
Plus, there are always family get-togethers, day-trips, board games, and other fun activities to keep you busy.
The most important thing is that you spend some enjoyable time with the people you love, creating fabulous memories.
Remember: the amount of money you spend on these activities is less important than the time you spend together.
This is why it’s so much easier to stick to a budget – when you understand that your PRESENCE is the biggest gift you can ever give your kids.
HERE ARE 101 FUN THINGS TO DO WITHOUT MONEY (For the most part!)
THIS IS A SPECIAL KIDS EDITION AND MOST OF THESE OPTIONS ARE EITHER FREE OR DON’T COST A BOMB
1 Bake cookies together
2 Make a fort with blankets or cardboard boxes
3 Have an outdoor picnic
4 Build a backyard campfire and roast marshmallows
5 Tell each other ghost stories and funny jokes
6 Set up a tent in your backyard
7 Sleep under the stars
8 Visit the park and swing on the swings together
9 Host a treasure hunt
10 Or a scavenger hunt
11 Complete a science experiment.
12 Visit the beach and watch the waves.
13 Build a sandcastle and collect seashells
14 Have a water balloon fight
15 Feed ducks at a lake
16 Start a scrapbook together
17 Ask your kids questions to learn more about them
18 Have your kids interview YOU – the same questions are fine!
19 Create a special family memory book
20 Draw up your family tree
21 Or write a story together
22 Host a puppet show or do shadow puppets
23 Play dress-up
24 Make play dough
25 Go geo-caching
26 Play cards
27 Play hopscotch
28 Play board-games
29 Play soccer or baseball
30 Or teach them an entirely NEW game.
31 Explore your neighborhood.
32 Visit a town you have never been to before
33 Take pictures of nature
34 Have a photo-shoot
35 Go on a hike
36 Watch a sunrise
37 Watch a sunset
36 Sell homemade lemonade at a kerbside lemonade stand
37 Find a pen-pal to write to
38 Write thank you letters together
39 Go bike-riding
40 Visit your local library and borrow new books
41 Do each other’s makeup and hair
42 Paint or fingerpaint
43 Draw
44 Use sidewalk chalk
45 Make jewelry
46 Do arts and craft with old recyclable materials
47 Give them a warm bubble bath
48 Create a family cookbook
49 Create a perfect meal plan for the week
50 Make home movies
51 Make bubbles
52 Build a house of cards
53 Sing karaoke
54 Give each other a manicure
55 Give each other a pedicure
56 Learn magic tricks.
57 Learn how to sew or knit
58 Make rock animals out of rocks
59 Make a potato family out of potatoes
60 Plant a garden
61 Go through old photos together
62 Tell them stories from your past
63 Attend a free kid’s workshop
64 Host a tea party
65 Host a games night
66 Watch a movie and pop popcorn
67 Have a sleepover
68 Visit family and friends
69 Host a BBQ
70 Read books
71 Properly explore your backyard.
72 Make up your own trivia game.
73 Visit a forest
74 Visit a cave
75 Visit a museum
76 Visit a fire station
77 Visit a nursing or retirement home
78 Play in the rain.
79 Fly a kite
80 Volunteer
81 Study a world map and research different countries. Encourage your kids to be inquisitive.
82 Go rollerblading
83 Create an obstacle course.
84 Run through the sprinklers
85 Swim at a pool.
86 Visit the flea market or thrift shop
87 Visit any free local tourist attraction
88 Make bubbles
89 Make popsicles
90 Pretend you are at the circus
91 Learn to juggle
92 Attend an outdoor festival
93 Have a pillow or tickle fight
94 Have a dance party
95 Enjoy a movie marathon
96 Learn to play a musical instrument
97 Perform a play (you can write a script yourself or find one online)
98 Create a comic book
99 Volunteer or spring clean and donate things you don’t need to charity
100 Redecorate a room
101 FINALLY don’t forget to google “FREE THINGS IN DO IN – YOUR CITY”
This information is updated regularly and will give you a lot more ideas for fun things to do in your particular local area.
ONE MORE BONUS SECTION FOR THINGS TO DO WITHOUT MONEY:
Here are 101 more things that cost next to nothing but are sometimes more valuable than any new iPhone, dress, gadget or material items you can buy at the local store.
1 Giving a kiss
2 Sharing a smile
3 Hugging someone you love
4 The joy when a loved one is happy to see you
5 Saying thank you
6 Offering an apology
7 Receiving an apology
8 Practicing forgiveness
9 Meditating
10 Witnessing a sunrise
11 Appreciating a sunset
12 A genuine surprise
13 Decluttering your home
14 Singing
15 Listening to music
16 Seeing a long-lost friend
17 Volunteering
18 Taking a walk
19 Keeping a journal
20 Dancing
21 Breathing deep
22 Fresh air and silence
23 Showing gratitude
24 Reading a brilliant library book
25 Silence when you need a rest
26 Makings new friends
27 Being kind
28 Any random act of kindness in fact
29 Expressing your creativity
30 Getting some fresh air
31 Taking a power nap
32 Making your bed
34 Having a good night’s sleep
34 Living in the moment
35 Taking a warm bath
36 Letting go of resentment
37 Feeling hopeful
38 Setting new goals
39 Stepping outside your comfort zone
40 Saying “I love youâ€
41 Feeling love itself
42 Saying a prayer
43 True friends
44 Family
45 Laughing until your muscles ache
46 Learning to laugh at yourself
47 Getting over petty grievances
48 Cuddles from a pet
49 Great memories
50 Achieving something you didn’t think you could do
51 Witnessing a shooting star
52 Following a rainbow
53 Enjoying nature
54 Picking a wildflower
55 Stopping to smell the roses
56 Finding money in your pocket that you forgot about
57 Discovering something you thought you lost
58 The first day of summer
59 Crunching autumn leaves
60 The weekend
61 Being cozy inside while it rains outside
62 Swimming in the ocean
63 A warm bed on a cold winter’s morning
64 Smelling a perfume you love
65 Receiving a sincere compliment
66 Waking up rested before your alarm clock goes off
67 Elevator doors opening as soon as you press the button
68 Holding someone’s hand
69 Staring at the clouds
70 The innocence of a small child
71 The bravado of an older kid
72 Confidence
73 Loyalty
74 Trust
75 Respect
76 A hardworking ethic
77 An easy-going nature
78 A good reputation
79 Discipline
80 Willpower
81 Integrity
82 A clear purpose
83 A sense of humor
84 Compassion
85 Good manners
86 Spare time
87 TIME ON EARTH
88 The truth
89 Inner peace
90 Talent
91 Good health
92 Knowledge
93 Acceptance of yourself
94 Acceptance of others
95 Work-life balance
96 Common sense
97 A good character
98 A clear conscience
99 An open mind
100 A proper perspective
101 A second chance to make things right again
Take the time to go through this list next time you are looking for things to do without money.
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