1Getting Back Into Nature

The good old outdoors have unfortunately lost ground with the latest generation or two of kids, it would seem: the advance of technology has cluttered kids' lives with tons of gadgets and so forth, from video game consoles to HD televisions and the whole host of things kids today crave. But if parent's make the conscious effort of ensuring their kids get the right dose of interaction with nature, then they can not only have lots of fun for the whole family, but furthermore balance their child's habits in a more healthy way. It's simple:

• Just look up what local, state, or national parks there are in your area, and find out which have entry fees and which are free of charge for visitors.

• You may want to search the U.S. National Park website for parks near you.

• It doesn't even have to be a park, necessarily, as many people—especially those living in rural areas—have miles and miles of natural terrain around them.

• Almost everybody has a wildlife guide book laying around somewhere (usually in their grandmother's library), so pick it up and bring it along, as learning to identify different species of animals and plants will provide both mental stimulation and entertainment.

• Depending on the age of your kid(s), you may be able to take up slightly more extreme activities, which will give them bragging rights with their peers, such as rappelling, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, etc.

2Family Fun at Home

It's not necessary to make an outing every time you want to have fun with the kids. In fact, learning how to have fun at home is an important part of raising a child; otherwise, kids will tend to associate home with boredom, work, and responsibilities—the latter two necessary but not sufficient when comprising a child's opinion of “home.” Try to turn activities that you previously did on your own into activities the whole family can participate in.

• Gardening can be one excellent option, since buying seeds is not very expensive and most people already have the necessary tools in the shed to do the work. Once your kids see the results of their labors of the land—like fruits and vegetables on the dinner table, or a more pleasant view of the house from the street—they will feel proud of themselves.

• Inside the house there can also be many options: having game nights has to be the most classic of all.

• Simply watching a good movie with easy-eating finger food in the living room can be fun.

• Try some educational content, like group reading sessions or watching nature documentaries.

• Try teaching your kids how to cook: it's a valuable life skill, and it'll be something that they'll be eager to get involved in.

3Going to the Museum

Many people fail to appreciate the history of their local community, their area, their state or their nation, and a good way to put that wrong right is by visiting some museums.

Many parts of the country offer museums with very low entrance fees or absolutely free. Perhaps the best example of a free museum circuit in the country, and probably the world, would have to be the Smithsonian Museums strewn across the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., so for those that live in the area, near it, or are passing through it, be sure to take advantage of the spectacular opportunity to visit some of the best museums in the world, regarding everything from natural history to art to outer space, at no cost.

Though it is difficult for local communities to reproduce this feat in every town and city throughout the country, there are many other examples of worthy institutions that won't put a dent in your budget. Here you can see a list of museums in the US.

4Making it to the Movies

Though the price of a ticket at your local cinema has gone up considerably over the last ten years or so, there are still cheap tickets for morning, or matinee screenings being offered at most theaters.

Usually these reduced prices are only available on a specific day, and/or during a specific time of year, like summer. Check the cinemas in your area and ask about what promotions they've got for the early hours. A great way to start off a day of family fun could be watching a good movie on the big screen, and if it can be at a fraction of the cost you would normally be paying, better!

5Playing Sports

Keeping children physically active is important for their development and growth, and it can also be a way to form strong bonds between family members. Some sports can be played simply by finding an open space to run around in, like a field of grass or an empty parking lot, and bringing the right equipment—a soccer ball, a football, etc. Other sports may require a place with certain infrastructure, but many community centers and private sports facilities offer reasonable fees for accessing them, or none at all in certain cases. Find out what sports your child is interested in, and try to facilitate their passion for that activity by participating in it with them, and having a good time doing it. Often times, sports centers will offer specific discounts for children, so be sure to ask around in your community and find out if there are any free kids games.