Happy Healthy Families

Take a deep breath this weekend, put away the credit cards and plan a little family alone time. Saving some money and bonding with your kids on the weekend could be just the thing to make facing Monday morning a bit easier. Avoid cell phones and lap tops. Have plenty of water, lemons and fruits around for a healthy eating/drinking weekend. Try avoiding sugars--soda and junk food for the weekend. Also avoid malls, theaters, bookstores, take-out, restaurants, shopping, movie rental stores, etc..

Here are some money saving and/or free ideas for your family this weekend:

Make a breakfast of Oatmeal and fruit for everyone (yes...everyone at the table enjoying breakfast together. No newspapers, please.)

Take a long walk or hike or bike ride. Bring some water bottles and paper bags to collect rocks, leaves, or interesting finds along the way.

Make inexpensive sandwiches for lunch that you all share on a blanket in the backyard, living room, family room floor, etc.... Enjoy some water with ice and lemon for a refreshing yet cheap drink with lunch.

Set up some board games and make a tournament out of the game play. Or play some charades, truth or dare, hide n seek....whatever...just play together as a family.

Make a home made pizza for dinner (or a couple--let everyone design their own small pizzas). Cheaper than ordering in, and cheaper than take-out.

Visit the library. Rent some books and videos for free.

Spend an afternoon at the beach. Bring hard boiled eggs, cut up veggies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and water.

Wash the car, the dogs, and have a water fight at the same time.

Go to the local park and hang out for a while. Read those library books laying on a big comfy blanket.

Make a big pot of spaghetti and watch videos.

Tell ghost stories while huddled under blankets and using flashlights only for lighting (not recommended for younger kiddos though!)

Have an outdoor game of tag, potato sack races, volley ball, soccer, badminton (not too expensive to buy a set--can be used over and over for free family fun), or relay races. Getting more exercise in...always a good thing!!

Make popcorn and sit and chat. Yes...talk is good ....and free....and good....and important for family members to do. Make a stack of cards during the week with a question on each one like "what is your favorite color?" or " what animal would you most want to be?" Things that can get conversations going and have fun with. Then on the weekend, bring the question cards out with the bowl of popcorn, and have fun!

Take one last walk together Sunday evening as a family. Enjoy the time you spent together, and laugh. Hold hands, take pictures. Feel healthier in mind, body and soul after your relaxing and inexpensive family weekend time.