This week starts Thanksgiving break (tomorrow for us. Can I get a holler? . . .or maybe you’re running and hiding). I’m excited about diving into crafts and activities—making memories—during our break. I’ve partnered with Personal Capital to bring you a list of frugal ideas to help you make lasting memories with your kids—without breaking the budget.
Movie night: you can either watch one that you already own or check one out from the library. Make sure you have all the blankets and pillows (and maybe some popcorn?) and snuggle in for a good time.
Build a fort: scour Pinterest for some inspiration and let your imagination run wild. I have a feeling we’ll be building a blanket fort and leaving it up all weekend. If you have older kids, it’d be fun to do a blanket fort building contest. After your fort is built, feel free to do all the activities in your fort—you can read, color, watch a move, listen to an audiobook—the possibilities are endless.
Help plan and cook a meal: my kids love helping me in the kitchen. Whether it’s just an everyday meal, or a dish for Thanksgiving, I’m sure your child would love to help as well.
Go on a nature walk: in Arkansas, the mornings are still a bit chilly, but by mid-afternoon, it is the perfect weather to venture outside. My kids love going on walks and finding all sorts of treasures.
Make crafts: my oldest daughter loves to make crafts—and she can create something out of just about anything. If you don’t have a craft book readily available, grab old egg cartons, milk cartons, cereal boxes, paints, crayons, markers, and just see what kinds of things your kids can come up with.
Color: along the lines of making crafts, my kids also love coloring. Pinterest is full of free color sheets that you can just print off.
Make a library trip: we love going to the library and coming home with stacks of books. After you come home, dive into your blanket fort and read out loud! Even if you have older kids being read to is always fun—pick up a great chapter book and take turns reading chapters out loud.
Put on a play: kids can write the play and act it out. Be sure to have them make tickets and a playbill. They could perform their play after dinner (or lunch. . . whatever works best). Go all out and make it dinner theater where the kids plan what’s on the menu as well!
Play board games or work puzzles: I don’t know about you, but we have tons of board games and puzzles that don’t get used nearly enough. School breaks are the perfect time to get out your old favorites.
Have a dance party: you can grab some free music from sites such as Pandora or Spotify. Turn it up as loud as you can and boogie woogie away!
Making memories doesn’t have to break the bank. Stay on top of your expenses with Personal Capital. Their free analytics tools help you keep track of where you are financially, so you can reach your goals quicker.
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