Comments on: Free or Low Cost Entertainment Ideas for Families

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:43:30 +0000

Those are excellent. Someone in the notes mentioned libraries renting cheap DVDs. In the county where I grew up, all county libraries loaned videos and DVDs for free, just like the books. They just had heavier late fines and only loaned for 7 days. Very popular ones only loaned for 3. You could put them on reserve, too, if they were checked out or at another library.

Our collection was extensive, including older classics, newer releases, and a number of TV shows on DVD. Plus various workout videos. And lots of kids movies/shows–Bob the Builder, Dora the Explorer, all that.

Unfortunately, where I now live the libraries rent them at $2 for 2 days plus entertainment tax. Cash or check only (normal for libraries). That makes it less worthwhile for me. Still, it’s not worse than a rental store.

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Sun, 22 Jul 2007 16:19:51 +0000

[...] Free or Lost Cost Entertainment Ideas for Families @ Blogging Away Debt [...]

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Roundup for week of 16 July 2007: Mojave edition at Mighty Bargain Hunter — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 03:48:25 +0000

[...] Blogging Away Debt has some inexpensive entertainment ideas for families. [...]

By: DHM

DHM — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:10:55 +0000

Click on my website link above for a link to a post where I listed some of my ideas for free family fun.=)

By: Dasha

Dasha — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:19:15 +0000

The libraries here in NYC rent dvds for free. We also have netflix, and its entirely worth the price in my opinion, especially since we like to watch a lot of weird and foreign movies.

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Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:51:30 +0000

[...] Free or Low Cost Entertainment Ideas for Families [...]

By: Renee

Renee — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 03:48:34 +0000

Ooh I forgot to mention…. check with local college campuses for kids programs.

The theatre troupe at JMU puts on summer plays (with ticket prices like $5 per person) for kids. I’m sure other colleges have similar events.

There are also free outdoor concerts in the summer at a lot of colleges.

http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/general/news/general8685.shtml

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:10:49 +0000

I love the public library suggestion. Last summer I was home during the week. I went to the library to check e-mail (I was moving and my computer wasn’t setup) and I couldn’t get a PC because there were all these kids on them playing games! They were playing together, because they were talking to each other about what they were doing. I was a little annoyed, but a library is a better place than others for them to be!

Also, some libraries rent DVDs for much less than Blockbuster. Mine rents DVDs for $1/week.

By: Rogers Place

Rogers Place — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 23:09:26 +0000

Movies – sometimes in the middle of week you can view a movie for the price of a rental. Renting a movie even instead of seeing it in the theatre if you can wait awhile will save a bunch. You can even watch in your own living room, get up whenever you want, eat your popcorn you bought at grocery store for pennies compared to theatre price.

While at the public library read the newspapers, saves a few bucks compared to paying for home delivery.

Don’t order domino’s pizza as you have to pay a delivery fee now, make your own pizza at home.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:20:37 +0000

Our library shows movies for adults and kids, and has puppet shows, magic shows and craft time for kids. Our local Chick Fil A has kids night every tuesday, with a special deal on food and a hands on activity included. Our shopping malls have huge kids play areas also.

By: JW Thornhill

JW Thornhill — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:13:27 +0000

We live in Michigan and I really appreciate the tips. Especially, Attend State Park Low-cost or Free Programs – We havenâ€™t done this one yet (trying to fit it in the schedule), but our local state park has programs throughout summer that are free for families. You can learn all about nature in a hands-on setting. Hereâ€™s a listing to the State Park Explorer program in Michiganâ€™s State Park sytem.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:10:34 +0000

I agree with the comment regarding spending time at the animal shelter. My dauther and I did that for a while and it was crazy rewarding. We made lots of new furry friends and got closer to each other in the process.

By: Renee

Renee — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 05:53:58 +0000

I found another idea today in “All You” magazine – Get water guns from the dollar store and set up sprinklers, wading pools, slip-n-slides, etc. around your yard in little stations to create a day in the “water park”!

I agree with Kristina about the problems in pet stores, which is why you should just visit and not buy any animals from there. However, our local PetSmart puts animals from the SPCA up for adoption instead of selling dogs and cats, which I think is great.

Also, there are a lot of colorful fish at pet stores that can keep kids entertained for long periods of time!

I also agree with the getting into nature ideas. It’s not too expensive to take a carload of people to the national park, and the hiking around here at Shenandoah National Park is great!

I don’t have kids myself, but my step-sister has small children and her husband uses money as an excuse not to take them anywhere, which is why I recommended this topic.

Great ideas you added, Tricia! We used to love to look at my parents’ old yearbook photos and look at photos of my grandparents when they were young, too

By: Brenna

Brenna — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 05:09:00 +0000

Take a walk together as a family or do some sort of physical activity. This will get everyone out of the house and hopefully the benefits of “exercise” will keep everyone healthy.

By: paidtwice

paidtwice — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:59:05 +0000

I concur with looking in the paper or online newsletters for free activities. We’ve found a lot of free activities that way.

And the library story time too!

Also we became members of our local zoo. It is a big expense ($65 a year) but we can go anytime we want and stay as little or as long as we want. We went so many times last summer it was like a dollar a visit. lol

By: Lynnae

Lynnae — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:16:37 +0000

You have some great ideas! I love scouring the paper for free entertainment. We’ve found free ballet lessons, puppet shows, nature walks… There’s a lot out there if you look for it.

By: Kristina

Kristina — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 02:36:42 +0000

I suggest people consider spending their free time at a local animal shelter (or similar rescue organization) over pet stores. In general, pet stores are terrible places for animals. There are endless documented cases of animals being abused by pet store owners and employees. Pet stores get unhealthy and abused animals from breeders. Animals live in depressing cages. It’s not a good lesson for children or a good cause to support. Instead, as Tricia suggested, your children can volunteer at a local animal shelter and be entertained for free while also learning about animal welfare and how to have compassion for animals.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 02:03:30 +0000

Hi Tricia. I nominated you for a Rockin’ Girl Blogger Award!

By: ladydoughgirl

ladydoughgirl — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:32:17 +0000

I think the idea of getting out into nature is the best idea in town. It is an activity that is free and that everyone in the family can appreciate. I also think it’s so important for us to take time out and connect to nature. We just took the kids to a public access beach today. It was so relaxing. All they needed was the wonder of the ocean and their imaginations to be happy.