Feature Article: 5 Affordable Winter Activities for Children by Sheila Buck

The winter months are cold and, although many parents don’t like being out in the brisk weather, their children usually do. During the colder months it may seem harder to keep your children entertained than it was during the warmer months. Here are some good ideas for keeping your children busy this winter.

• Sledding is a fun activity that children enjoy. Have them get their friends together to have a fun-filled day of sledding at a nearby hill. If no hill is available, children can take turns pulling each other around. You or another parent may offer to take the children sledding someplace where there is a hill if time allows.
• Ice skating is a fun winter activity that children will enjoy as well. Look for a local ice skating rink that the children will be able to go to. There may also be a pond nearby that they are allowed to use. Always make sure the ice is safe for your son or daughter to skate on. If neither of these options is available, have the children level out an area in your yard and let them use the hose to fill it with water. The water will freeze and you will have a rink in your own yard. Ice skates are good to have, but not a necessity. Children have just as much fun skating in their boots.
• One of my favorite winter activities is making snow forts. You make them by using the snow and your hands, or plastic brick molds that can be bought at the store. Old bread pans also make good molds. Place bricks of snow in a row on the ground then repeat, stacking until your child likes the height. Children can make however many walls they want. Holes can even be left for windows and doors.
• Homemade hot chocolate is a great treat for the children when they come inside from a day of playing in the cold. You can have it ready for them when they come in, but it would be a lot more fun for them if you let them help you make it. Most, if not all, of the ingredients can probably be found in your home.
• The school has different sports for each season. If your child is athletic, he or she may want to join a winter sports team.

Even though the winter months are cold, children still need ways to keep busy. With a little help from their parents, they can stay busy all winter long. Sledding, skating and making snow forts are fun activities for kids, but can also be fun for if they give it a try.

Resources:

Cooks.com: Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes

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Sheila Buck is the single mom of two teenage boys. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Sheila is a freelance writer, and also writes books and short stories in her spare time. Sheila also writes for Frugal Recipes.

5 Affordable Fall Activities for Children

By Sheila Buck

When the fall season hits and the weather cools down, there are many activities your children may like to participate in. School has started and there isn’t as much time for extra activities as there was in the summer months. Children need to be able to entertain themselves, and possibly their friends, during the after school hours.

• After school activities are offered at the school your child goes to. Your child can join one of the many clubs the school has to offer. If your son or daughter likes to act, check to see if the school has a drama club. If your child likes to play chess, there may be a chess club as well. If he or she is into sports then the school may have a team your child may like to join. Whatever your child’s interests may be, the school he or she attends may have a program that will hold their interest. With the exception of sports, most after school programs continue throughout the whole school year.
• The library may also offer different reading programs and groups for children who like to read. Check with your local library to see what they have to offer.
• Hiking with friends is a wonderful idea. The weather has cooled down and being outside is more pleasurable. Have the kids pack lunches and bring water to drink. They can hike in the woods or on a local hiking trail. A picnic, under a tree for shade or in a field where they can also play will be fun for them. If the children are young it would be a fun activity for a parent to supervise.
• Colorful leaves that have fallen from their trees are always fun to play with during the autumn months. They can make leaf rubbings buy putting a leaf under a piece of paper and then running the side of a crayon over it. Children can also make a leaf collage by putting leaves between two sheets of wax paper and ironing it through a towel. This can also be done by using contact paper which is safer. Playing in the raked leaves is always fun even if it doesn’t necessarily make the parent’s happy. Ask your children what they would like to do with the fall leaves. They may have other ideas that will keep them busy for the season.
• Help your children plan a field day event with their friends. They can play baseball, soccer, or other sports. They can have egg and three legged races. Your child can help you make prize ribbons or certificates to give the event winners. Invite other parents as well and have a pot luck lunch. Each parent can bring a dish.

The fall season is a great time to start after school programs and also have fun. There are many ways your children can stay entertained and socialize with other children at the same time.

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Sheila Buck is the single mom of two teenage boys. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Sheila is a freelance writer, and also writes books and short stories in her spare time. Sheila also writes for Frugal Recipes: Spending Less to Eat Healthy.

5 Affordable Summer Activities for Children

By Sheila Buck

Parents sometimes find it hard to keep their children occupied during the summer months. Many summer camps and other programs cost money that families may not have. The following are some ideas for summer activities that are affordable, and the children will have fun doing them.

• Summer camp is an activity that most kids want to participate in. These types of camps can sometimes cost a few hundred to more than a thousand dollars. They are still worth looking into because some summer camps offer reduced rates or scholarships if the family meets the income guidelines.
• Some areas offer summer recreation programs for free. Children are able to enjoy socializing with other kids from the neighborhood as well as crafts, swimming and other fun activities. The school sometimes sends home notices about summer recreation programs. The town or city hall may also know of such programs. You can also check with the library.
• Your child’s school may have a summer reading program for him or her to participate in. If your son or daughter loves to read, this is a good program to look into. There is often a certificate or prize awarded for program completion.
• A trip to the local playground is always fun. Your child will be able to play with other children. Have your child pack a lunch and have a picnic. Some of the local playgrounds may have a sprinkler or pool. If so, be sure your child brings a towel and change of clothes in order to get wet.
• If your child is seeking a good time with friends, but doesn’t want to leave the house, allow for camping in the back yard. Set up a tent and let your child invite some friends over for a camp out. Make sure they have plenty of blankets in case it gets cold. Let them make sandwiches and other snacks for them to have on hand. They can tell ghost stories and have a good time.

There are many ways to keep your children busy through the summer months. With a little searching, summer camp may be an option. If it’s not, brainstorm with your child to help find fun and creative ways to stay busy, that are also affordable.

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Sheila Buck is the single mom of two teenage boys. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Sheila is a freelance writer, and also writes books and short stories in her spare time. Sheila also writes for Frugal Recipes: Spending Less to Eat Healthy.

5 Affordable Spring Activities for Children

By Sheila Buck

When winter is over and spring arrives, there are new activities for your child to enjoy. When the snow has melted and the ground dries up your son or daughter may want to start spending more time outside. Here are a few ideas to keep your children busy during the spring season.

• Sports at school have changed again so, if your child is athletic, he or she may want to try another sport.

• Help you child start a vegetable or flower garden. Show them how to prepare the area and plant the seeds. Some plants may need to be planted inside and taken care of until they are big enough to go out into the garden. When the garden is all planted, your son or daughter can weed and water the when needed. Your child will enjoy the fresh vegetables, or beautiful flowers, that come from taking care of their own garden.

• When fishing season starts, children can have fun fishing with their friends. Fishing supplies can be bought at a fairly inexpensive price at your local department store. Even if you have to spend a little more money for a decent fishing pole, the fish your child brings home can help with food expenses and even things out. Have your child pack a lunch so he or she can picnic with friends.

• Dig out the bikes that have been put away all winter. Biking with friends is always fun, and great exercise too. Again, if your child packs a lunch he or she can picnic with friends.

• Allow your child to have friends over for the day. Give them chalk and let them draw in the driveway. Hopscotch is a game that is fun to play. Have them play with the other outdoor toys that you had put away for the winter. Jump ropes and hula hoops are wonderful outdoor toys for children to play with. Make them sandwiches, chips and juice for lunch, and lay out a blanket on the lawn for them to sit on while they eat.

There are plenty of activities for a child to participate in on a warm spring day. Most are more fun if there is company, so allow your child to invite a  friend. On warm days, always make sure your son or daughter has plenty of water and, even though it’s spring, sunscreen is a good idea.

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Sheila Buck is the single mom of two teenage boys. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Sheila is a freelance writer, and also writes books and short stories in her spare time. Sheila also writes for Frugal Recipes: Spending Less to Eat healthy.

Frugal Fun for the Winter Months

Winter weather is cold. But there are plenty of activities for families and singles, no matter the temperature. If you’re looking for fun things to do this winter, check out the lists below.

Activities for more than one person

• Play card games such as Rummy, Canasta, or Go Fish.
• Play board games like Candy Land, Monopoly, The Game of Life, and Triond.
• A movie night, complete with soda and air popped corn, costs little. Watch something on television, or buy DVD’s from Bull Moose for as little as $0.97.
• With a few plastic block makers, your family will have a great time building snow forts.
• You can also spend a day making a snow family.
• Snowball fight!!!! Start one of these as a surprise, when the children are all outside.
• A sledding party is great fun! Bring hot chocolate, and paper cups for everyone. Each family can bring something different such as cookies, or coffee for the parents.
• An ice skating party can be done the same way.
• Read to the children while they play with legos.
• Drive around to see the holiday lights after dark.
• Have a dance party in the living room with the children!

There are ways to save money on the activities listed above. For instance:

• Ice skates can be found cheap at yard sales, or affordably at second-hand sports shops.
• Board games can be purchased throughout the year at thrift shops and yard sales.
• Decks of cards are cheap at a dollar store.
• A sled would make a great gift from grandparents.

Activities for singles

• Walk on days it’s nice enough to be outside.
• Curl up on the sofa or in bed with a cup of tea and a good book.
• Play a game of solitaire while enjoying a hot cocoa.
• Have a favorite winter movie marathon during snow days. I particularly love Storm of the Century, Baby Boom, Little Women, Grumpy Old Men, and Grumpier Old Men.
• Lady’s, take some time to pamper yourselves. The cold is harsh on your skin. A little lotion will be necessary. Men, you can do the same!
• Bake!

What are your favorite frugal activities during the winter months? Share in the comments.

Shannon

Family Day at the Park

A park is a great place to have a family fun day. Take advantage of these free spaces to visit whenever you have the chance. Enjoy the scenery and have fun as a family.

If you are looking to make a trip to the park enjoyable for your family, there are plenty of things to do that won’t cost anything extra. To get you started, why not try some of these:

• Pack a picnic lunch, extra water, snacks, and other items you will need, such as sunblock, towels and bathing suits if there is a water feature and the days are warm enough, a blanket or two, a Frisbee, and sports equipment.
• If allowed, bring fishing poles and tackle boxes.
• Bring your camera so you can take photos for the family album. Let children join in the fun of photographing what they think is important.
• Have the children hang out in the playground area during the morning, while you sit nearby and read or socialize with other adults. (If the children are big enough to be left to their own defenses. Otherwise, join them on the playground. You may wish to regardless.)
• Morning is a good time for children to use the park’s water features as well.
• Set up the picnic lunch and call the children over. Connect with your children about what you’ll all be doing for the rest of the day, and about what is going on in their lives and yours. Discuss upcoming family events, and anything else they should know about. Be silly with them, and answer questions they may have.
• Frisbee and catch are both great after lunch games you can enjoy with the children. Consider a walk through the park, or sitting on the rocks by the river. This should be a fun time spent together as a family.

These park days are wonderful ways to strengthen family bonds. Allow your children to invite a friend along for even more fun. Inviting another family along is also an option. Just be sure that everyone is involved in the fun.

Fun, Affordable Get-Togethers: New Years’ Eve

Get-togethers are so much fun! Hanging out with family and friends aids in strengthening bonds, and helps you to destress during the holiday season.

There are many options for get-togethers on New Year’s Eve that will be enjoyed by all who attend. Don’t go over board on the number of guests, or the refreshments you’ll be serving. Keep things casual and enjoyable.

I have only 1 idea for this holiday 🙂

Make it a family event. Play a long running game, such as Monopoly, with the children. Then turn on the television for the festivities. The children may or may not make it to see the ball drop, but you can set up ‘beds’ on the living room floor so they can fall asleep any time. The adults can play cards at the table once the children are settled.

A pasta meal, complete with a tossed salad and garlic bread can be served. And a New Year cake for dessert, that the children helped to make early in the day, will be the hit if the party.

To save money:

• Bake from scratch.

• Purchase needed items on sale, with a coupon, or using both methods.

• Have others help with the cost, or just do a potluck.

• Check out the local dollar store to see what deals they might have.

• Use ingredients you have on hand.

• Use pasta sauce made and preserved using your own garden produce.

Enjoy!

Shannon

Goal Setting for the Frugal Family

Setting goals as a family, for the new year or at any time, is an important aspect of family togetherness. You want to set goals that the entire family can work on and, after a meeting or two over dinner to work out the details, you should be able to implement your goal(s) right off.

Goal setting and implementation does not have to cost a great deal of money. Below, find a list of goals and how they can be implemented frugally.

1. Create More Family Time: Your family might not be able to afford ski’s or a snowmobile, but you can buy sleds at fairly good prices this time of year. Keep a look out. Stores are looking to get rid of winter and holiday type items to make room for their spring lineups. If you have no budget to work with, that is fine. Build snow forts and have snowball fights. Some other ideas include having a winter picnic, getting a head start on next Christmas, birthdays, and anniversaries by making gifts with materials you already have on hand, and reading together as a family. Don’t forget about board and card games!
2. Spend More Time with Extended Family and Friends: You might invite a couple of friends or close family members to join you at your winter picnic, and then to play games. You can meet up with people for a winter walk on a less cold day, or invite people over for a movie marathon.
3. Spend More One-on-One Time with Your Children: Once a week, do something special with one of your children. It doesn’t have to cost money. Go for a walk. Play a board game. Play Mad Libs (my children used to love this!). Have tea or hot cocoa and chat, or cook a new meal together. Each week, do this with a different child. Keep up the routine so you all have something to look forward to.

Happy New Year!

Shannon