Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Family fun for the budget-conscious

boardgame

Gather your family members and brainstorm fun, free or inexpensive activities to do together, either at home or nearby. Write down your ideas and throw them in a coffee can. Each week, draw an activity to help plan your weekend. It’s a good way to keep things lively, fair, frugal and most important — fun! A few ideas to get you started.

⦿ Board game binge

When was the last time you played Monopoly?

Spend an afternoon or evening taking turns picking board games to play, making popcorn and setting friendly wagers on the outcomes. Example: Winner picks tonight’s movie or pizza toppings.

Tired of your board game selection? Check thrift stores for old-school versions of Trivial Pursuit or games you haven’t seen in a while. One fresh title can reinvigorate your family’s interest in the whole stash.

⦿ Indoor putt-putt

Create your own indoor miniature golf game.

You’ll need a putter or two, a handful of golf balls (as a few surely will roll under the couch) and several plastic cups or cans. Set the course with three or four “holes” created by taping cups to the floor, sides down.

Add challenges to each round by playing on one leg, blindfolding the person putting or having everyone sing “Happy Birthday.”

This game is best played with children who understand the difference between putting and swinging.

⦿ Scavenger hunt or anytime Easter egg hunt

Give the kids a clue — think themes: colors, shapes, things that start with a certain letter — and have them collect small items in the house that fit the category. If you are feeling ambitious, set up a scavenger hunt in the backyard. Or find an anytime equivalent to Easter eggs — playing cards, checkers, spoons, buttons — and hide them in your house.

The kids will have a blast trying to find them all. And they might just find a bonus quarter in the seat cushions.

⦿ Summer jar ice cream social

It’s never too early to start thinking about summer. To get in the mood, plan a make-your-own sundae evening and start brainstorming ideas for your family summer activity jar.

You’ll have a great time thinking up summer fun between bites of hot fudge and rainbow sprinkles.

⦿ Throw an art fest

If you have children, chances are there are markers, crayons and paints stashed around your house. Drag it all out — every last container of paper, glitter and glue — and hold an art fest.

Find inspiration in the season, your pet or something you all love (yes, “Frozen” counts). Draw, paint, cut, paste and decorate. Let your creative juices flow.

Sign and date each piece and put it in a binder or frame. Every few months, throw another art fest and add to your family art collection.

⦿ Treat someone special

Is there someone in your life you haven’t seen in a while? Or maybe someone you’ve been meaning to thank?

As a family, pick a person whom you’d like to do something special for — a relative, friend or neighbor, or the staff at a local nonprofit — and brainstorm something that will make them smile. Make a card, bake cookies, whip up a lasagna or fruit salad. Call ahead and set up a delivery time.

Giving back feels great. Make generosity a habit.

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