Family fun activities that won't break the budget

Free family activities

As household budgets feel the pinch of rising inflation, any opportunity to slash costs is welcome. But spending less doesn’t have to mean missing out. There are endless ways to cut back on costs without cutting back on fun, and make joyful family memories without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas for family activities that dial up the fun and dial down the cost.

Get outdoors

Getting out and exploring your local area is a great place to start when trying to spend less. Search online to find local walks, parks, picnic spots, waterfalls, lookouts, beaches or green spaces and spend time connecting as a family and getting some fresh air at the same time. You can make a day of it by packing a picnic, having a kick of the footy, or making games out of your adventures.

You can make wholesome outdoor adventures fun and exciting for kids by getting them involved in the day. Some ideas include:

• Take your camera or smartphone and snap some fun family photos. Then, order some prints online and scrapbook a keepsake together on a rainy day.
• Writing different destinations down on pieces of paper, mixing them in a jar and letting the kids lucky dip where you’ll go for a day out.
• Making fun car playlists together to enjoy the ride.
• Go on a mystery adventure by flipping a coin at different intersections to decide whether to go left or right.

Get creative at home

For indoor activities, things like the cinema, bowling and escape rooms can get expensive for families – and fast. Instead, make your own fun at home. It’s all about creating meaningful and memorable experiences out of simple activities. Here are some of our favourite ideas

• Get stuck into an intense board game tournament and keep score each weekend until you end up with an ultimate champion.
• Set up your own cinema experience with popcorn, lollies, and comfy pjs, and lucky dip what movie you’ll watch to keep things interesting.
• Run your own family sports day and get everyone involved, handing out prizes to the winners.
• Split into teams and have a family cook off or bake off, as a fun way to get kids involved in meal prep and planning.

Get connected to your community

Your local community likely has a whole host of free or low cost events you can get involved in – it’s often just a case of looking for it. Visit your local council website or town hall, or check out your local library’s activity program. You’ll find everything from maker’s markets to festivals, crafternoons to art exhibits.