Take A Fresh Look Around and Find Local Family Fun

Something I rely on pretty heavily as a source for finding local family fun is our local paper. These smaller, community based newspapers focus on the news and events just in particular areas. They print once or twice a week instead of daily. They are usually available wherever you purchase the more widely circulated daily news. Some communities even offer them for free or at a very low cost.

You may even find that some museums in your area hold monthly events for free. It might be a child’s make-it-and-take-it craft, during a lecture for adults focusing on the current exhibit.

It is possible to find something new happening right outside your door and your local newspaper is one of the easiest and best sources you have to find it.

Other sources of local family fun can be the schools in your area. Seasonal festivals, plays, band concerts, and sporting events are usually open the public for a small charge. Some are even free. Have you been to a parade lately? My kids LOVE parades. Find out when the local high school or college is having their annual Homecoming football game. Chances are there will be a Homecoming Parade, rally or other fun event.

Check with City Hall to see if there is going to be a Halloween, Holiday, Fireman’s, or New Year’s parade down Main street. You’d be surprised at what kinds of things some towns will have a parade for all in the name of fun and celebration.

Have you ever checked out the community theatre or theatrical society? Shows by these groups are a fantastic, inexpensive way to expose your family to the excitement of a live, stage performance. They can bring “Broadway” right to your hometown and the ticket cost is usually pretty reasonable.

Local businesses sometimes offer special family rates during certain days of the week. Your local bowling lanes may offer family night where rates are reduced. Check the roller skating

and ice skating rinks, as well as swim clubs, or even colleges that may offer the use of their sports facilities for a small fee during certain days of the week.

Of course, there is always your local YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs or other faith based organizations that may offer special family events to their members.

Visit your local produce farm and pick your own fruits and vegetables. It's a wonderful summertime family activity.

Here are some places you can call to find out about what’s going on in your city the next time you want some local family fun:

• Your city’s historical society
• Department of Tourism
• Visitors Center
• Convention Center (if your city has one)
• Local College
• Art League
• Theatrical Society

I check my sources at the end of each month to see what’s coming up in the next month then pencil in any event that I think will interest us on my calendar.

Many local family-centered activities are perfect for a sunny, Saturday afternoon.

A lot of us have been in the same communities for so long that we assume we know about all the entertainment options, but take a fresh at look at what’s going on in your community using some of the resources suggested. I’ll bet that you find some new local family fun activities.