Fifteen Free Family Day Activities.

It's a sad reality (even for those of us who still possess a nine-to-five job) that money is tight for everyone.

Due to such drastic turn of events, many are looking for ways to cut back on things considered nonessential - entertainment being one.

This raises somewhat of a challenge for moms and dads looking for ideas to spend quality time with their families without spending a dime, other than just sitting at home.

Fortunately, with a little thought, one can come up with some great family day activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Here is a list of fifteen family day activities to get you started - and yes, they are all free!

* For The Nature Loving Family.

For the family that nurtures a love of nature, these free family day activities should be be right up you alley:

1.) Hiking/Biking Trails- Some local parks offer free clearly marked hiking and biking trails conducive for safe and fun biking and hiking activities for the whole family. With the calming greenery surrounding you, these activities are a great way for the family to relax, communicate, and get some needed exercise.

2.) Free Local State Park Activities- On occasions, local state parks provide free events that the whole family can enjoy.

Events that include story-time and marshmallow roasting by the campfire (you can bring your own marshmallows, but sometimes a limited supply are provided), night listening of the nocturnal animals, or learning how to tie knots.

It's a great opportunity to share an experience that may be unique to you both as an individual, and as a family.

Simply sign up for your local state park's online or snail-mail calender of events to keep abreast of what's going on monthly or annually.

3.) Fishing- Fishing can truly turn into an all day activity, depending on one's preference for the activity.

Often considered a relaxing and soothing activity, it can also be fun and exciting for the kids when they see the results of their hard work and patience.

If fishing seems to be the perfect ideal activity for you and your family, always go over safety guidelines first (http://www.sports-gift.com/safetytipsforkids.html) and always check your local state fishing laws to see when, where, and if a fishing permit is necessary.

4.) Beach Day- This is definitely a great activity for the family who enjoys the water.

Simply pack a lunch, some towels and changing clothes, a form of sunscreen, beach toys, other beach necessities, some spare change (most beaches do require a small parking meter fee - the beach here in Savannah is about fifty cents to a dollar for every hour, or just bring your debit or credit card along and swipe in the meters for those who don't carry cash) and your ready for a day on the beach.

* For The Lovers Of Culture And Art.

If it's local art and culture you and your family long for, here are several free family activities the whole family will enjoy...

5.) Local Festivals- Local annual festivals are great fun for the whole family. They usually offer a bevy of tangible delights for the eyes, ears, and taste-buds.

Often funded by the local cities they are held in, you can find something for everyone to enjoy.

These local festivals include:

a.) Book Festivals- The annual book festival provides several hours worth of free short literary seminars and interviews by some of you favorite authors, free book signings, free gifts, and the chance to hobnob with fellow readers.

b.) Children's Book Festival- This annual book festival is so much fun for kids since it gives them an opportunity to meet and greet with their favorite television characters, talk one on one with their favorite educational television personalities, recieve free books and other gifts, and dance and play along with other kids to their favorite music.

c.) Medieval Fair Festival - This festival will take all who attend back in time, with its real time demonstrations of life in the middle ages.

In addition to the sword-fighting, jousting, medieval attire, and craft making, free arts and craft booths and face painting stands are set up to help the kids get in on the fun.

It's truly an exciting event for the whole family.

d.) Food Festival - All foodies will enjoy a festival such as this one.

With booths set up from as far as you eye can see, patrons are able to sample the delicious delights offered by different dishes from around the world.

e.) Jazz Festival - This is a great activity for the family who adores music.

Annual jazz festivals offer the whole family a sampling of some of the greatest jazz music their state has to offer.

Famous jazz musicians are on hand to answer their fans questions and to fulfill any of their requests.

6.) Free Museum Days - Most cities fund free museum days for their locals and out-of-town visitors to give those who rarely have an opportunity to delve into the culture the city has to offer.

Last year in Savannah, Ga., the city funded free museum days every Sunday for the entire month of January.

It was a great way of offering a cultural experience for those who may not have been able to experience it before.

7.) Local Water-Front - If you and your family happen to reside in a seafaring city, water-front tourism no doubt abounds.

So why not experience the charm out-of-towners get by visiting your local water-front.

Here in Savannah, Ga., the water-front - which is so famously known as River Street - is a tourist attraction that draws people from all over the world.

Famous for its renown Waving Girl statue, River Street provides the tourist and the locals alike, with a bevy of sights, sounds, and taste to relish in.

Home to several art galleries, restaurants, open aired and closed in shops; the whole family will be entertained with the sounds of the street musicians and the sights of the local artist working at their crafts.

Even those with a sweet tooth will love the flavors offered by the free candle samples distributed by the candy shops lining River Street.

So if you and your family live in a city with a river-front, why not sample all the sights and sounds it has to offer.

8.) Tour Your Own Town/City- Many of us have no idea how rich our local town's or city's history is. So another great, free family day activity could include touring your own town or city.

A short visit to your local visitors center, will provide you with brochures filled with information regarding the little known jewels of your town or city.

In addition to obtaining your information from the brochures, you can get suggestions from one of the staff members manning the information station.

With information in hand, a good pair of walking shoes, and some drinking water, you and your family should be on your way to a great day of sight-seeing.

* For The Sports Lovers.

For the family that's active in the sports scene, here a couple of free family day activities to try:

9.) High-School Football/Basketball Games- Depending on the season, the family that is into sports can attend their children's high-school basketball or football games as a unit, or pull together their own games.

10.) Local Park - If going to a high-school basketball or football game is not up you alley, most local parks provide basketball courts, tennis courts, and a large area for a game of football, baseball or soccer.

Free to the public, these accommodations will provide the sports loving family with a safe place to play to their hearts desire. So grab your sports gear and get to active!

* Book Lovers.

Here's a free family day activity for families that love to read:

11.) Meet Your Favorite Authors- National book chain stores such as Barnes & Nobles, host several book signings and readings by local and nationwide authors.

A quick check at their web-site's calender of events, will provide you with up-to-date information regarding these activities.

Using this information, and keeping in mind yours and your family's preferences, plan a family day that entails a book reading/signing (by your favorite author - or your children's favorite author) at your local national book chain store, followed by an allotted browsing time to see what's new and available.

Throw in some quite reading, and you've got a free family activity perfect for the book loving family.

* Other Free Family Day Activities.

12.) Free Movie Days At Your Local Library - To encourage more patrons to visit, and more time spent together as a family, some local libraries host free monthly Saturday movie days at their branch.

Although the movies are family friendly overall, the age the movies cater to, does change regularly. But other than that, who could pass up a free movie?

13.) Flea Market Window Shopping - You don't need any money to window shop. And what a great way to window shop, than visiting your local open-air flea market.

Since most flea markets are a good size and offer a variety of products, a family can literally spend the whole day browsing through all the unique sights this open air shopping center has to offer.

14.) Kite Flying- Another free family day activity everyone could enjoy is kite flying.

With the perfect kite weather, a homemade kite, or a kite purchased from your local Dollar Tree, or Dollar General Store, you and your family can enjoy a great day in the park - flying kites!

15.) Volunteer Work - Although this may not be your families idea of fun, volunteer works is a great way to engender concern and fellow feeling for their fellowman in your children.

Volunteering at your local animal shelter, nursing home, or food bank can quickly become a family affair once your family really experiences the joy and contentment that comes from helping others.

So why not pick and choose what free family activity would be perfect for you and your family - in the end, it's the time spent together that really matters.

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