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Blitz school holiday boredom without breaking the budgetAnalaura Luna
Looking for school holiday fun that doesn’t break the budget? Of course you are! Kids have an appetite for fun stuff that can seem insatiable, but our ideas offer a whole load of entertainment options you can enjoy for next to nothing! It’s that time again – kids everywhere are celebrating two weeks of freedom from school and looking forward to having a great time with all that time off. So we thought it would be a good idea to take our minds off the doom and gloom of the global economy for a minute and talk about some great things for children to do with you in the holidays without you feeling like you’re spending the whole time with your wallet open. Just because budgets are a little tighter this year doesn’t mean that kids (or parents) should stop having fun – and fortunately there are a lot of fantastic ideas out there for having maximum school holiday fun with the kids for minimum cost. If you’re looking to have a great time with the kids without busting the budget, it’s time to get creative and find out how to have all the fun you want – for less! Get great holiday deals Sometimes a bit of spontaneity can really pay off. If you’re taking the kids away for a holiday break, check online for some fantastic discount last-minute accommodation and holiday deals. There are plenty of options out there – www.lastminute.com.au and www.quickbeds.com are two options – but check out the ‘new kid on the block’ Need It Now (www.needitnow.com.au) to take advantage of any introductory specials. Just remember to ensure that the terms and conditions of the deal don’t outweigh the benefits. More fun for less Movies, theme parks, tourist attractions and zoos are great fun for all the family, but sometimes the family-sized price tag is out of reach, especially if your crew is larger than the 2+2 that family tickets usually cover. Sites like Just the Ticket (www,justtheticket.com.au) and My Fun (www.myfun.com.au) offer great discounts for loads of different locations all over Australia, without many of the usual restrictions that come with certain coupon deals and although they might not have specific tickets for larger-than-average families, the discounted prices can help make it much easier for the whole family to have a great time. Have a great night in Ever want to just spend the night in? Well, sometimes the kids do too! Check your local library (or DVD rental store on ‘cheap’ night) for a great family movie you can watch together. Or for something a bit more action-packed, why not get your kids to teach you how to play their video games? Sure, you may think they’re just for kids now – but plenty of parents have discovered that once you get hold of that controller it’s too much fun to let go! Unleash your creativity Kids love to create, and giving them a project can keep them occupied for hours. Museums, galleries and exhibitions sometimes offer free or cheap events that allow kids to get ‘hands on’ – sites like Time Out Australia will help you keep track of what’s on – or you can try craft stores like the Plaster Fun House, which gives kids free use of paints and glosses to decorate their models. For an even cheaper option, stay home and make your own stuff – kids will love making (and playing with) homemade playdough and bubble mix, and the ingredients hardly cost a thing! Go free Google ‘free fun’ and your local area to see all the stuff you can do for nothing. Plenty of museums and art galleries offer free entry and there are also loads of other free ways to have fun for next to nothing if you’re willing to look around a little. If the weather’s nice, consider a springtime trip to the beach, look into local markets and fêtes or organise a big family picnic. Kids have a big appetite for fun – but these ideas should fill them up until school starts again. For more great ideas on how the whole family can have fun and spend less, take a look at our 30 Day Challenge program, Save $30,000 in 30 Days. Because even if the ‘money’ budget is a bit tight, there’s no reason why the fun budget can’t be huge! Want to make this the most powerful financial year you've ever had?
Then you can't miss our LIVE Financial Independence Bootcamps! Click here for details!  If you liked this article you might also be interested in these other money management articles: Save big bucks on back-to-school The ultimate cure for school holiday boredom - how kids can earn money during the holidays
Want more? Take a look at the rest of our money management advice articles.
Tags: things for children to do, school holiday fun, 30 day challenge, money management
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Author's Biography |
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Analaura Luna is an author, wealth adviser and founder of Your Family Your Money. Your Family Your Money’s goal is to simplify traditionally complex financial strategies, demystify financial jargon and debunk common financial myths, becoming every family’s first stop for financial advice, information and inspiration. |
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