The Budget Bambino

Considering the cost of a movie ticket and the astronomical prices at the concession stand, you may need to take out a loan just to take your family to the movies these days! While it might not be quite that bad, the reality is that the cost of going to the movies makes it more of an occasional treat rather than a weekly outing for many families. The good news is that it’s possible to have a fun family night …

Creating paper plate fish is a fun art project for young children to do, especially during the summer months. Once they’re done, you can hang them in windows or from ceilings to create fun, colorful mobiles. What you’ll need: Paper plates Colored tissue paper Crayons/markers (optional) Googly eyes Scissors Glue stick Yarn How to do it: · Cut a triangle-shaped wedge from one side of the paper plate. This side will be the mouth. · Glue the cut out triangle …

One of the best ways to fill your calendar with fun activities for you and your children without spending a ton of money is to join a playgroup or moms’ club. Members of these groups usually take turns hosting playgroups at their homes, and often plan other activities such as outings, charity drives, and moms’ nights out. Not sure where to start looking for a playgroup or moms’ club in your area? There are a number of resources to aid …

In just a few short weeks, we’ll be saying good-bye to summer. Before the season gets away from you and your children, you might want to try a few of the following activities to celebrate summer and create some warm memories of these carefree days: • Teach your child a new skill. Long days and lots of sunshine make summer the perfect time to teach your child to swim, skate, ride a bike, or jump rope. Let go of perfectionism …

If you’re fortunate enough to live close to a zoo or children’s museum, you may want to consider purchasing an annual membership. You can often get an annual membership for less than $100, and while this may seem expensive, let’s face it—taking the kids somewhere they can go a little wild is, well, priceless. Consider the benefits: -- You can visit as often as you like. The cost of going to the zoo or museum is upwards of $40 for a …

We’re all always looking for inexpensive ways to have fun with our kids, but this is one you may not have considered: volunteering. Volunteering with your children is fun, free, and teaches your children lessons about empathy and compassion. Everyone wins. There are a number of volunteer opportunities out there for parents and children to do together, so where to start? Keep your child’s interests and ability level in mind when trying to choose the one that is best for you, …