Activities that are fun and cheap

Children will surprise you: You buy a wonderful gift for a very young child, and the child plays more with the wrappings and the box than the gift that was in it. Often, the activities and projects children enjoy the most are the simplest ones that cost very little money.

Darla Arni, founder and president of an organization called Kreative Kids, listed several activities that are fun for children but cost little or no money.

The first, most accessible “playground” is your own kitchen. Children really enjoy being taught to make something special. It’s a lot of fun to go beyond the normal cookies and brownies, and venture into bread, meatloaf, or a pizza from scratch. As Arni said, the children learn, you all have fun, and everybody gets to sample the product.

Food continues the theme when you get into “Sweet Sculptures.” You can use toothpicks and gumdrops or other gummy-types of candies to construct building structures or creatures. You can challenge young people to make the largest structure that won’t collapse.

“Ethnic Adventures” were Arni’s other recommendations. Pick a culture you’d like to know more about. Go to the library and read up on the culture. Plan a special menu to celebrate the culture of the day. Put together costumes to depict the native dress.

“Kids Days” are also special. Designate one day a month as “Kids Day.” On that day, give children a chance to decide what the activities of the day will be and plan the menus for meals. Encourage them to plan ahead so the day is an extra-special family adventure.

You can also “Get Buggy.” Catch insects and observe them for a few hours, then let them go. It’s an activity you can do over and over. If you do it during different season you can compare the variety and size of insects available at different times.

A family bunking party can also be fun. Pick a night when the whole family sleeps on mattresses or in sleeping bags in the same room. Pick a movie everybody wants to see, either a scary or a funny one. Make popcorn, stay up late, and tell stories.

Reading time is also very important. Each night read a chapter aloud from a book the whole family would enjoy. Ask your local librarian or classroom teacher for suggestions.

Getting to your office can also be fun. If possible, schedule a time when your children can visit you where you work so they see where you are during the day and what you do.

To enjoy a “Flash from the Past,” pull out old photographs from your childhood and share with your children. They usually enjoy seeing what their parents, their aunts, uncles and grandparents looked like years ago. Arrange them in a scrapbook so they can be enjoyed over and over again.

Arni also recommended “Game Day.” Pick a night or day to forget the TV and the outside world and designate it as game time. Pull out the board games and puzzles on your shelves. Make easy-to-fix snacks. This works particularly well during long holidays or days off from school.

All these activities are enjoyable AND inexpensive.