Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope you enjoyed your Labor day weekend. I can’t believe September is here already!!!
Having kids come with a hefty price. According to CNN, it costs an average of $241,080 to raise a child to 18 years old! We have twin boys so you can do the math! Sure, we have been lucky to be able to save nanny or day care center costs but not many families are that lucky. An average day care center for 1 child is $1,000 a month. This expense and other expenses can add up pretty quickly. This can also deter a lot of families from going out because the perception is that it will cost money to just go out. It is true in some cases but it all depends on what type of activities you think you have to spend versus what you don’t really need to. I think most kids just want to spend time with their parents regardless where they are or what activities they do.
As a family, we do our best to balance our savings and spending habits. We try not to spend too much money on toys or take expensive trips that our boys don’t have a clue of enjoying now. There are so many inexpensive outings that a family can enjoy together without spending a fortune or incur heavy debt. For us, we take our boys out after dinner at least 5 times a week. They range from 10 to 20 minute walk around the neighborhood to an hour at the park.
Lately, we’ve been taking them to an ice cream store (no…we don’t like ice cream as a family!) because this place has free games for toddlers and kids as well as music for the adults. Occasionally we would purchase their $5 ice cream cone but we always tip their DJ. Sometimes they have an ice cream mascot playing with the kids and at times like during this visit, they had the machine spitting out endless bubbles for the kids to play. Our boys were in heaven and they spent the entire night chasing the bubbles! We the parents also had a blast…Depeche Mode was playing the entire night 🙂
//top: Zara (old, similar here)//bottom: DL1961 denim (last seen here)//shoes:Christian Louboutin (old, similar here)//accessories: Forever21 bracelet, Daimanta earrings (last seen here)//
I’d love to hear what your favorite outdoor play activities are that don’t put a hole in your wallet.
Thank you for visiting and have a fabulous day!
9 Comments
Love your outfit Janise. We went to the outdoor pool by our house and it was only $2/person. We also like to go to the park a lot. I like taking my son to the library, they have free computers they can use to play on. There are definitely cheaper ways to entertain our children. Sometimes we just take a flashlight and make shadow puppets on the wall and have a blast, or build a fort. I think it’s all about being creative. Kids don’t need IPAD’s they need their parents to play with them. THey don’t need expensive toys, just as long as they’re having fun.
Don’t forget to stop by and say hi and link up Thursday for my weekly tres-chic fashion thursday link up.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade
I completely agree with you Agi! Kids don’t need expensive toys, they just want to play with their parents and be with them!!!
Lately, we have been volunteering at Shakespeare in the park! Great outfit and adorable family! Stopping by from the Style Sessions!
http://chelseypatti.blogspot.com
I completely agree. Often as parents we’re marketed to and ultimately encouraged to take kids to activities which are more to help our boredom than theirs!
As a working mama, I treasure every precious moment together, and we’re huge fans of the park or just playing in the garden. The biggest hit this summer was bubble bath filled paddling pool at bathtime!
Popping over from Style Sessions, and I’ve also linked your post to the Love All Blogs BlogLove linkup today. x
mamalikesprettythings.blogspot.co.uk
mama-andmore.com
A great post, it definitely doesn’t take much for kids to enjoy their playtime. Ethan loves playing with boxes and other things around the house and definitely enjoys a simple walk in the park. The expensive toys often get tossed aside for the most unexpected things!
I have to be sure not to show that amount to my husband! I can imagine having kids must get pretty expensive! That’s great that you try and go out after dinner for a walk or to the park, sometimes it’s those “free” outings that make the most memories 🙂 I love the white on white – those pants are great and you look fabulous!
You look gorgeous!! LOVING that outfit. And your twins are just darling <3
Yikes, raising kids is expensive!
Jessi
http://haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com
Local putt-putt, the park, the ice cream parlor. All fun and cheap. 🙂
The boys are adorable and loving your outfit!