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Entertaining Kids on the Cheap

February 28th, 2008 at 09:21 pm

My SIL called this week and asked us to keep her four kids on Saturday. She is going to drop them off Friday evening and pick them up after bedtime on Saturday night. TB and I are excited about it because we always have a lot of fun with them. The three boys are 11, 10 and 9 and the little sister is 6. They're well behaved and we always have a good time. Unfortunately, we also usually spend a lot of money entertaining them. I'm sure this is not a newsflash but activities with four children are not cheap! Sometimes we take them bowling or to laser tag and that can really add up.

Anyway, I am trying to think of some fun alternatives to do with them this time. I'd like to take them to the movies and out to eat pizza, and then maybe to the park to play on the playground and play basketball. If we go to the movies it will definitely be during the day so I can save a little money...and I'll be sneaking in some snacks for them too.

I am not that good of a cook but I am going to make hamburgers and hotdogs on Saturday night for them. Easy and cheap...and GOOD!

6 Responses to “Entertaining Kids on the Cheap”

  1. JanH Says:
    1204235702

    We used to rent a movie and have make your own sundae nights. Then, you can always use the leftover fixings for another day!

  2. marjorie Says:
    1204238824

    It sounds as though they'd be a good age to make their own pizzas. Cheaper than taking them out, and they might have alot of fun. I think I'd do that before a movie, given the cost of goodies at the concession stands...

  3. mom-from-missouri Says:
    1204239759

    We have more fun each making our own pizza and watching a video. I like the ice cream sundae idea too. Mine also like to make their own cookies/cupcakes and decorate them (and the kitchen). They also love to write and put on their own play for us to watch. Board games are also big at our house too.

  4. nance Says:
    1204240462

    Kids like to watch videos, and have their own bowl or zip lock bag of popcorn. They love making their own pizzas, and topping them with the things they like.
    Playing in a playground, or park is a favorite. I'm sure they would like playing board games with you and your husband. You don't have to "entertain" them, they will just enjoy your time and attention. Let them choose the movie rental. If you have access to a bread machine, you can make pizza dough, divide it is five or six pieces, roll out, and top with sauce and cheese, and let the kids add pepperoni, cooked sausage or hamburger, pineapple, etc.

  5. clubneary Says:
    1204243591

    I was going to suggest making their own pizzas. Kids love to make a mess in the kitchen! I take it you don't live where there is snow otherwise I would suggest sledding/snowball fight. Do you have any board games that they might like? Game night is very popular at my house.

  6. pretty cheap jewelry Says:
    1204301078

    Well, you know now to rent a movie! First run movies are not all they're cracked up to be!!

    I have an 8 and 10 y.o. so it's the same age range. Getting them all to do something together is a high expectation. Let them HANG OUT. Kids do not have enough of that anyway. They could probably show you some amazing internet sites (one or two children at a time). Like webkinz, if they have one.

    I like kids to be active anyway. At my kids recent bday parties, I took 4 boys to the park to skateboard/scooter. They loved even going on the swings still. We are also fortunate to live near the beach. A veritable treasure.

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