Here's Where to Find Your
Local Family Fun

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It's not difficult to find local family fun and family fun activities that won't cost much. You just need to know where to look. Your family won't have to travel far to have memorable, yet frugal good times.

Frugal family fun activities happen locally all year round. There are some local family fun spots we can all bank on like the library, and museums, but there are other things you can do that are unique to your region or community. Take a look at this list and start making plans for how to spend some frugal fun times with your kids. :)

• Visit the Library. See if there is a free story time or summer reading program that encourages kids to read a certain amount of books. Don't forget, the library is an excellent sources for borrowing DVD's as well.


• Call your local Historical Society. Lots of museums will offer special kids programs to foster art appreciation. Hands on learning even a "make-it-and-take-it" craft can sometimes be part of the fun.


• See a performance at the Community Theatre. Live performance is wonderful and can be very affordable at your local community theatre. High School and College drama societies usually put on at least one performance a year as well. If there's a Childrens Theatre group it might inspire your kids to join up!


• Go Bowling. Take advantage of family night at the local bowling alley. Discount nights make this affordable family fun, plus it's quick to learn and everyone can play. Click here to see if your local bowling center is participating in this special summer program offering 2 free games a day with the purchase of a discounted family summertime pass.


• Roller Skating Rinks offer hours of fun and are a great place to meet up with friends. Ask if there are discounts during slow times, or special discounts for groups, or for kids with good grades. Our rink offers $$ off for every "A" on a childs report card.


• Sign your kids up for Pottery Barn Kids. A book club that meets once a week, where the kids get a membership card and a special gift after attending 5 times.


• Visit your local farms and orchards. Picking your own fruits and veggies is a great way to have local family fun, and it's probably the freshest, most affordable produce you'll get all year.


• Sign your kids up for free workshops. Lowe's, Home Depot and Michael's all hold free workshops where kids can come in, and with an adult, make a take-home project. Check out the great Mother's Day gift my son made, courtesy of the free family crafts program at Lowe's.


• Pack a picnic for a day at the park. My family loves the park and we're lucky that we live near a very nice lake city park as well as state parks. Packing a picnic lunch can be fast, easy and very inexpensive.


• Head to your nearest Zoo or Aquarium. These are great places to find deep discounts on family or seasonal passes, especially if you live fairly close by and can visit often. If your kids are anything like mine, animals are always a hit! :) Check out this article if you're thinking about going to the zoo.


• Take a Bus Trip. Our county department of parks and recreation sponsors day trips to nearby cities for sight-seeing and special events, so I bet there is a similar program where you live. It's worth checking out. The prices per person are very reasonable, and you can kick back and relax while somebody else does the driving.

Finally, next time you drive past a local hotel stop in the lobby and look for the display rack full of pamphlets and brochures intended to familiarize guests with all the local attractions and happenings.