Fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives to expensive family outings. They provide the opportunity to have just as much fun at a fraction of the cost. Some are even free.

Movies and Music

Kids are often itching to see the newest releases at the movie theater. Doing so even once a month, however, can get pricey. One alternative in some areas is the drive-in. Admission is usually much cheaper than it is at a regular theater, and some let you bring your own drinks and snacks. Drive-ins usually show fairly new releases, so the kids can say they saw something that’s not out on video yet.

Some theaters offer reduced-price matinees during the day. Some even have free kid-oriented movies on weekend days. These options offer the theater experience without the outrageous cost.

Kids often want to go to concerts, but tickets to see the most famous bands are far from cheap. Check your local paper for free concerts in the park. Many areas have them during the warm months. Young children can enjoy the music without the huge crowds and deafening sound systems, and older children might gain an appreciation for less well-known bands.

The Great Outdoors

Nature offers a wealth of possibilities for family outings. Camping is a wonderful activity for families, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be as simple as pitching a tent in the back yard, or you can spring for a camper and rent space at a campground. Bring the grill and some hamburgers or hot dogs, or catch some fish to fry.

Parks are great for day trips. Those with playground equipment can keep youngsters entertained for hours on end. Hiking trails offer opportunities for exercise and exploration. Most parks have picnic facilities, so you can pack a lunch instead of eating out.

Other Ideas

Here are some more inexpensive family activities to consider:

* Play miniature golf. Admission is usually quite reasonable, and it provides the opportunity for relaxed yet engaging family competition.

* Visit a petting zoo. These small zoos do not have the exotic animals you see at larger ones, but kids can feed and pet the animals.

* Go to a museum. Some offer cheap or free admission, while others cost more. But the larger and more expensive ones often sell season passes, so if you live close by, you can visit numerous times for one low price.

* Go boating. If you’re fortunate enough to live near a body of water, boating is fun and relaxing. Canoe and paddleboat rentals are inexpensive, and when you’re done boating there are usually other cheap or free activities in the area.

* Attend events at a nearby college. These may include plays, concerts, dance recitals and movie showings. Prices are low, and student discounts usually apply to kids, too.

Having fun as a family doesn’t require a six-figure income. If you look hard enough, you can find lots of free or cheap activities that parents and kids can enjoy just about anywhere.

Family dinners are more than just a meal. It is about the only time that families have to share time through the week. Whether you sit down to the dinner table or enjoy a meal on tray tables and a movie in the family room, the important thing is that you are together.

There are some interesting facts surrounding family dinner time. For instance, teens that spend dinner time eating with their family are less likely to get involved in drugs, alcohol or other illicit activity. This is a point many parents will find interesting. Out of all of the things you do to try to keep your kids away from bad influences, the one thing that is the greatest influence is still the event that we skip routinely.

Why is dinner so important? For one thing, it is a time to share thoughts and feelings. All day, kids are influenced by teachers, friends and the outside world. At the dinner table, they get a chance to connect with their parents on tough issues like schoolwork, peer pressure, friendships and other things. They can each share and help one another with helpful suggestions. Parents can even talk about work or family finances over a meal.

The main point is that conversation is taking place. The average parent talks to their child less than 40 minutes a week. It takes a second to say “Hi” when you come in at night, but that isn’t effective communication. When dinner is shared by the family, you spend at least 45 minutes to an hour talking about everything and anything that may be on your mind. Even if you are watching a television program, engaging questions can arise from topics addressed in the program.

Young children learn how to communicate with their siblings and parents. They are the center of attention with questions about their day and it makes them feel happy. You know that kids always want to be in the limelight when they are a certain age and this helps them learn to share the spot with others.

For teenage girls, body image is everything. Learning to prepare and eat healthy meals with their families is a sign that eating right will keep their bodies in shape and not avoiding food. Teen girls are less likely to become the victim of an eating disorder but develop a healthy view of food and their bodies when they eat dinner with their families.

There are many benefits to eating dinner with the family. It is a time for meaningful communication that leads to stronger self-images that resist the urge of drugs, alcohol and other destructive behaviors in your kids and teens.

Some parents are skilled crafters. Others are doing well to cut paper in a reasonably straight line. No matter which group you fall into, crafting with your kids can be beneficial for all involved.

Few things bring families together like crafting. Here are some of the good things that come out of crafting with your kids.

* Crafting builds creativity. Developing minds need a creative outlet, and crafting provides the opportunity for kids to use their imaginations. It helps them learn to solve problems, and it could lay the groundwork for a lifetime of interest in art. For parents, getting creative can help reduce stress and promote using the brain in ways that we don’t have a reason to use it every day.

* Crafting teaches kids to follow directions. This seems like a very basic skill, but we all know adults who can’t seem to follow directions. When kids craft, they learn the consequences of not following directions when their projects do not turn out as expected. This instils in them the importance of doing things the right way the first time.

* For young children, crafting is fabulous for learning basic skills. Almost any type of craft promotes hand-eye coordination. Kids can also learn to use scissors, measure and do lots of other things they will eventually do in everyday life.

* Parents and children have a chance to talk. In our busy lives, it seems that we know less about our kids than previous generations of parents did. Passive activities such as watching TV do little to encourage conversation. But when you’re crafting together, talking comes naturally. You can seize the opportunity to discuss such things as your child’s interests, his concerns, and how he’s doing in school.

* Crafting is a great way to wind down. It’s wonderful for kids to be active, but there are times when they need to calm down. If you find your child getting agitated or exhibiting an overabundance of energy near bedtime, try bringing out the craft supplies. Crafting engages kids’ minds, giving them something to focus on and a good reason to sit still for a while. 

* Creating things is a confidence booster. Parents who craft regularly know the feeling of accomplishment when a project is complete. Multiply this feeling by ten, and you have a pretty good idea of how your child feels when he makes something. For kids, crafting can help build positive self-esteem.

* Working on a project together is a great way to teach your kids teamwork. This will help them develop skills needed to resolve disputes peacefully and effectively. It will also help them discover their strengths and teach them that doing their best will make the entire project turn out better.

* Crafting creates treasured family memories. The finished product will serve as a reminder of the fun you had making it together.

Crafting as a family provides opportunities for us to interact with our children. It is also a valuable learning experience for them. Don’t worry if you aren’t the world’s greatest crafter. Simply being willing to try anyway is a lesson to your kids in itself.

Starting at #3:

3.  Travel Back in Time
Colonial Williamsburg is a great place all year around, its historic interpreters dressed in that era help modern families appreciate what life was like without today’s technology.  Children can help weed the garden in spring and in 18th century Williamsburg you’ll find the largest outdoor living history museum.  If you visit in the summer you can check out Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.  You can book a family vacation of four-night/five day stay including accommodations and unlimited admissions for less than $700.  For more information visit williamsburgfun.com or call 800-465-5563.

2.  The Great Outdoors
If your family likes the outdoors, you can visit South Dakota.  Kids can see Mount Rushmore, climb on the monuments or explore the caves.  You can join a “dig” at the mammoth site, where more than 50 giant mammoths were trapped.  For more information contact the state.sd.us/parks or call 800-658-3530.

1.  Great Old Disney
We cannot forget about Orlando, every family wants to visit Orlando at least once.  You might find a trip to Disney more affordable than you think.  If you do your homework and research, well you can find deeply discounted hotel and air deals available.  After a long and hot day at the theme parks, you and your family can come to rest in a four-bedroom, three bath home for just $105 a night, with a three night stay minimum.  Check out or call Leisure Link International at 888-801-8808 or visit eleisurelink.com for more deals in the Orlando area.

Some extra tips:

1. Alternate pricey attractions with those that are free – a hike in the woods, playground area or a tour.
2. Keep a budget for souvenirs before you leave and stick with it.  Suggest to the kids to start a collection of postcards.
3. Always ask if there are discount deals available for kids to eat free.

Get the Kids involved:

1.  Get the dust off your map and show the kids where you are planning to take them.  Even the little ones have an opinion.
2. Allow the kids to get in some of their suggestions in the itinerary.
3. If your kids are old enough, suggest they plan a day’s activities.
4. When surfing the web, find where you want to go and show the kids.
5. Consider inviting a friend for an only child or for a sole preteen or teen in the family.  He or she will be much happier.

When I got married and decided to have children of my own, I promised myself that I would make every effort to communicate often and openly with my children.  I had my first child, my son things were going great but as I had my second child the communication lines started to deteriorate between my son and I.  I was very busy trying to take care of my daughter.  She was born with very severe asthma and all through her childhood was spent with doctors and in the hospital emergency room.  I also started to work when my daughter was in 1st grade and that is when things at home started going very down hill. Now that my son is an adult and my daughter is in college, I am trying to make up for lost time.

I have realized how important it is to communicate. Every day I try a bit harder. My relationship with my children has grown and we have become very close in the past few years. Parents do not realize how important it is to communicate with our children, we get so caught up in our daily routine of getting them ready in the morning, getting them to school or the babysitter, getting to work, helping with homework and cooking dinner that we forget to even ask our children how was their day. A piece of advise, take the time to talk with your child each day and make it up to listen to what they have to say.