Clever Ways to Save Money on Family Entertainment
Entertainment is a great way to bring family members together. The shared experience can create great memories for everyone in the family. However, many forms of entertainment are expensive. Consider these tips to save money on family entertainment.
Summer opportunities
The summer months offer more opportunities for families to spend time together. With the kids out of school, families have a lot more flexibility in planning activities. Many organizations offer inexpensive or free events during the summer.
Savingnspending.com lists a variety of inexpensive family activities. Movie theaters offer summer promotions that allow families to see first run movies cheaply. Some theaters offer discounts for weekday matinees- typically a slow time for movie attendance.
Libraries are also a great resource for summer events. Nearly all libraries offer summer reading programs and live book readings. These programs keep kids engaged with reading during their time out of school. Your library may also schedule author signings. If you’re interested in an author’s work, you can attend a book signing, hear the writer read from their book, then take questions. Seeing an author may also inspire kids to read.
Summer is also a popular time for festivals. Many communities put on festivals with live music and other entertainment. Your family can bring food from home and enjoy the event. Amusement parks usually offer family discounts during the summer. If you check the park’s website and pay attention to promotions, you can visit the venue at a discounted price.
Parks and museums
Bankrate.com makes the point that parks and museums should not be overlooked. Your area’s historical sites may offer tours or other events to promote the site. Many local residents overlook these sources of entertainment.
A museum may be required to offer free admission on certain days, or at least discounted admission. That requirement may be part of their agreement with their city or state. Local parks are a great resource for last-minute walks. They’re a great way to get the family together in a quiet setting.
Your local college or university may also be a source for entertainment. They may offer plays, music and sporting events that are inexpensive. Don’t forget about the county or state fair. Many fairs are free to attend. Like other summer events, you may be able to bring your own food and enjoy the entertainment.
Home entertainment
Families have a lot of options for entertainment at home these days. Family game night can be a great bonding experience–fun for kids of any age. Setting up a game on the dining room table is easy and convenient.
Watching a movie or sporting event together is also a popular form of entertainment. With changes in technology, families have a lot of choices. Satellite TV providers offers hundreds of channels with movies and live events, usually at a reasonable price.
DirectTV in the Texas area, for example, shows how customers have a variety of different packages from which to choose. Each package offers a different combination of channels, depending on the family’s preferences. Satellite TV can be an inexpensive choice for family entertainment.
Consider all of these forms of family entertainment. Experiencing a program, festival or event as a family can build relationships.
Category: Family Finances