Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

How To Make Cloud Dough – Easy At Home Activity for Kids

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

You’ll love this quick 2 ingredient cloud dough recipe

I recently learned how to make cloud dough and am so in love with how easy and quick it is to mix together!

If you are looking for a fun, cheap activity for your kids to do at home, then I highly recommend you try this two ingredient cloud dough recipe.  It takes about 5 minutes to mix together, only requires two ingredients, and will provide hours of fun for your little ones.

The dough is soft, smooth, silky, and moldable.  And addicting…seriously!  I love squishing it through my fingers for hours and hours.

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Ingredients Needed

To make this quick cloud dough you will need:

Supplies Needed

In addition to the ingredients, you will also need a couple of basic supplies.

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spoon for mixing

Pretty basic, right??? This cloud dough recipe is easy and frugal!

Homemade Cloud Dough Recipe

To make this easy cloud dough, get your bowl and mix the following two ingredients together:

  • 1/2 cup hair conditioner
  • 1 cup cornstarch

Use a spoon to stir the conditioner and cornstarch together.  You might need to add a little more corn starch or a little more hair conditioner to get the best consistency. This recipe works best by using a little bit of trial and error until you find the consistency that works best for you. I’ve found that it’s better to have the dough a little more dry than wet.

cornstarch and conditioner in bowl

Once the cloud dough is mostly completely mixed together you will need to knead it with your hands until it is smooth and easy to manipulate.

This is the perfect time to add food coloring, if desired. I usually just let the color of the conditioner shine through, but feel free to add some food coloring if that’s your thing!

crumbly cloud dough on countertop
squishing cloud dough in fingers

It only takes a few minutes of kneading before your dough is ready to play with.  You’ll know it’s ready once you have a soft, silky, and smooth dough.

Feel free to get out a few cookie cutters, knives, spoons, forks, rolling pins, and anything else you think sounds fun to let your kids cut and smooth and imagine with the homemade cloud dough.

pushing cloud dough with fingers

After you’ve made this cloud dough recipe you might enjoy a couple of my other favorite play dough recipes:

Homemade Cloud Dough

A fun sensory activity for kids you can make at home using just two basic ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup Hair Conditioner
  • 2-4 drops food coloring Optional

Method
 

  1. In small mixing bowl, stir together the cornstarch and hair conditioner.
  2. Once mixed, begin kneading the dough with your hands. Continue kneading until the dough is soft, smooth and silky.
  3. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to dough and knead until the color is mixed through.

Have Fun!

Now that you know how to make cloud dough it’s time for you to have fun playing with it with your little ones.  I love cheap and quick activities for kids to do at home.  They are some of the best ways to make memories, while on a small budget.

Related Articles

Easy Rock Painting Ideas For Kids

Easy Science Activity For Preschoolers

Yarn Hearts: An Easy Valentine Craft for Kids

Pin For Future Reference

cloud dough recipe - how to make cloud dough with conditioner

I hope this article helped you learn how to make cloud dough at home.

Best Gift Ideas For College Students, Everything Under $25

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Budget Friendly Gifts For Young Adults

Are you looking for Christmas gift ideas for college students under $25?  Well I have the list for you!  I’ve searched the internet and found the perfect list of gifts for young adults.  And do you want to know what the best part is????  Everything on this list is budget friendly!  You can buy your loved one something that they will need, love and enjoy….without having to break the bank!  Yay!

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Essential Oil Diffuser

Alright, it’s no secret that dorm rooms can get a little smelly, so help a young college student out with an essential oil diffuser.  Not only will this make their room smell amazing, it will also help to alleviate a lot of their stress and other ailments.  This essential oil diffuser has great reviews and a great price!

No products found.

Cell Phone Stand

Here’s a great budget friendly gift idea for college students under $25; a cell phone stand!  This is the perfect item for them to place on their desk while they are studying, or next to their bed when they just want to relax.

No products found.

Laundry Basket

Most college students will need a laundry hamper to haul their laundry back and forth to the laundry mat.  This one is really cute and affordable, it comes in a lot of different colors and has great reviews!

No products found.

Sleep Mask

Sharing a room isn’t easy, especially if you’re not use to it or have different sleep patterns from your roommate.  A sleep mask is the perfect gift to help your college student relax and get a good nights rest.  The entire dormitory will be jealous of this one!

No products found.

Makeup Brushes

Honestly, a girl can never have to many makeup brushes!  I am absolutely in love with these rose gold brushes.  The set comes with 14 different brushes and has over 100,000 positive reviews!  This is a perfect gift for a young college girl.

No products found.

Cell Phone Armband

If you are shopping for someone that likes to run, you might want to consider gifting them a cell phone armband.  This one even comes with an adjustable strap, key pocket and holes for headphones.

No products found.

Adult Coloring Book

Coloring is one of the best ways to alleviate stress and pass the time.  You might want to gift your college student an adult coloring book and a pack of markers.  They’ll love getting to sit, color and relax during their free time.  You’re never to old for a coloring book and some markers!

No products found.

College Cookbook

Most young adults are still learning how to cook and figure out how to care for themselves.  This is a great cookbook for college students!  All of the recipes can be made with 5 ingredients or less and are really easy to throw together.  The perfect gift for college students!

No products found.

Wristlet Keychain

Here’s a trendy way for college kids to keep track of their room keys and school IDs.  I love this thread lanyard and all of the many colors and designs you can choose from.  There is something for everyone!

No products found.

Water Bottle

Another great gift idea for young adults is a water bottle.  They can carry it with them to class, to the gym, or wherever.  I love this water bottle because it does an excellent job at keeping the perfect temperature inside of the water bottle for hours and hours.  It’s also stylish and has a lot of different color options!

No products found.

Bluetooth Key Tracker

They will never lose their keys again with the Tile Bluetooth tracker.  This tracker can easily attach it to their key ring to make sure they are never lost!  It’s a great gift for anyone, but especially those learning more about responsibility.

No products found.

Sewing Kit

You might consider giving the gift of a sewing kit!  This will help them mend their clothes and learn how to be self sufficient in small repairs.  Here is the perfect sewing kit for emergencies.

No products found.

Portable Charger

College students are often on the go, so buying them a portable charger will help them keep their electronics fully charged, no matter where they are.  This 2 pack portable charger has great reviews!

No products found.

What Do You Meme Game

My friends and I loved to play big group games when we were in college.  The What Do You Meme Game is the perfect group game for this age group!  It’s seriously so funny!

No products found.

Stress Balls

These stress balls are another great gift option to help alleviate stress.  They come in a three pack and I absolutely love that each ball includes a motivational saying.

No products found.

Tool Set

I was given a small tool set when I was going to college and I LOVED it so much!  My roommates and I used it all the time around our apartment.  It was so handy.  I found a fantastic 39 piece tool set with great reviews and under $25 here!

No products found.

Pillow Slippers

Most college students need some type of sandal to wear around the dorm and in the showers.  These pillow slippers are super popular right now and perfect for dorm life!

No products found.

Throw Blanket

I love getting throw blankets for Christmas.  It’s such a fun way to brighten up a room, and you can really never have to many blankets around!  Here is a beautiful throw with multiple colors and styles to choose from.

No products found.

Dart Board

What’s a dorm room without a dart board?!?!?  This is the perfect gift ideas to help young adults have fun with their friends and roommates while away at school.  I found a fun magnetic dart board from Amazon and it is sure to provide hours of fun and entertainment!

No products found.

Personal Finance Books

Young adulthood is an important time to learn how to be responsible, care for yourself and prepare for a successful future.  I highly recommend gifting anyone at this age a personal finance book to help them get a jumpstart on their finances.  The Infographic Guide to Personal Finance is the perfect book to help anyone just starting out in life to understand personal finance better.  The graphics explains personal finance in very simple and easy to understand terms.  You can grab it here!

No products found.

Portable Safe

Beings how most college dorms and apartments are public areas, with many people coming and going, it’s smart to have some type of protection from any potential theft.  This portable safe is the perfect gift to help keep their valuables safe while living away from home.  The reviews are great, and it’s portable…so perfect for bringing wherever they need to go.

No products found.

Snack Care Package

You can never go wrong giving a college student food!  Consider buying them this food care package to help alleviate their late night snack cravings!

No products found.

Toiletry Bag

Another frugal gift idea for college students is a toiletry bag.  It will help them carry their toiletries to and from the bathrooms and for traveling back and forth between home and college.  I found a great toiletry bag you can get here, and it’s under $25!

No products found.

Amazon Prime Young Adult Membership

Give the gift that just keeps on giving!  I’m talking about an Amazon Prime Young Adult Membership.  With this gift subscription your student will get:  free 2-day shipping, access to Prime music and video, unlimited photo storage and so much more!

Clip On Fan

I loved having a small fan in my bedroom while at college.  It helped me sleep better by giving some white noise and keeping the air moving.  Here are some budget friendly fans college students can clip on their beds.  You can even choose from a variety of fun colors!

No products found.

In Conclusion

There are so many gift ideas for college students under $25!  In all honesty….money is usually tight for a young adult, so they are happy to receive ANYTHING!  You could even just give them a gift card or two!  Those were always some of my fave gifts when I was in college.  Remember, it is the thought that counts….not the price tag!

Check out my other gift guides:

Gift Ideas for Toddlers Under $25

Gift Ideas For 5-7 Year Old Girls Under $25

Cheap Gift Ideas for Teen Boys All Under $25!

Pin For Future Reference:

cheap christmas gifts for college students - cheap gifts for 20 year olds

gifts for students under $25 -what to buy college kids for christmas

Best Christmas gift ideas for college students under $25.

How To Make Your Own Harry Potter Wand

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy Wand With Chopsticks Tutorial

Last month my youngest turned ten (I can’t believe how fast he is growing up!).  He asked for a Harry Potter themed birthday party.  I’m pretty sure he decided on this idea from our recent Universal Studios trip….but I wasn’t complaining!  Personally, I’m a huge Harry Potter fan.  Once we decided on the theme I knew we couldn’t have a Harry Potter themed party without having wands (amiright??).  So, with a little bit of DIY and some patience we whipped up a few budget friendly wands made out of chopsticks!  My son and I had so much fun making these DIY Harry Potter Wands!  They are SO easy and addicting to make!  I seriously didn’t want to stop creating!  You can totally make your own Harry Potter wand with the tutorial below.

These homemade Harry Potter wands with chopsticks are the perfect craft for any Harry Potter lover, including kids and adults!  And, do you want to know the best part????  They were also really cheap!  The only thing I had to buy were the chopsticks and some hot glue!  Fortunately, I had paint and paintbrushes at home, but luckily they are both really cheap to buy if you need some!

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

How to Make DIY Harry Potter Wands

The first thing you need to do before making these homemade wands is to gather your supplies.  You will need:

1.  Wrap Hot Glue Around Your Chopstick

The first thing you will need to do to make your own Harry Potter wand is to warm up your hot glue.  I like to place the hot glue gun over a paper plate, so that the melty glue will drip onto the plate as it warms up.  This makes for easy clean up!

Once your hot glue is warm and melty, it’s time to make the design of your homemade wand.  I love this part!!

All you have to do is take your hot glue gun and slowly squirt hot glue onto the handle part of one chopstick.

This is the time when you can let your creativity shine!  You can put a lot of hot glue on the end for a nice, thick handle.  Or, you might choose to only put on a small amount of glue.  Feel free to add some swirly glue designs too.   I tried to cover about 1/3-1/4 of the chopstick with glue, just depending on the design I was going for. Whatever you think will look good!

One of my favorite things about these homemade wands is that no matter how your glue comes onto your chopstick, the finished product will still look good!  I worried a few times that I had messed up a wand with clumps of hot glue, but once I was done, it always looked just as good as all of the other wands!  Hooray!

2.  Let The Hot Glue Dry

Next, you will need to set your chopstick onto a paper plate and let the glue dry.  Hot glue dries fairly quickly, so it shouldn’t take very long before you will be able to move to the next step.

3.  Paint Your Harry Potter Wand

Once the hot glue is dry, you can start painting your chopstick/wand!  We all decided we preferred the dark and moody colors for the wands, but really anything goes, so be creative!  It was so fun to mix colors together and make something magical and unique!

This step is so easy, just dab a little bit of glue onto your paintbrush and paint away!

Once you are done painting your wand, set it onto a paper plate to dry.

Most of our wands needed two coats of paint.  So, make sure to check the wand once the paint is dry to see if it will need to be painted again.

Check out our finished wands below!  Which one is your fave???

Enjoy!

That’s it!  Your wand is complete!  See how easy that was to make your own Harry Potter wand???  It’s the perfect craft for adults and kids and everyone in between!  Now all that’s left to do is to spend hours casting magical spells (Acio wand!).

You might like these other easy crafts:

Pin this article for future reference:

easy DIY wizard wand - chopstick diy wands

how to make harry potter wand - cheap homemade wand tutorial

Have fun making your own Harry Potter wand!

Get Out Pass: An Honest Review

By: Sweet Frugal Life13 Comments

Is Get Out Pass worth it?  I think so!

Well, it’s official!  I’ve been using the Get Out Pass app for over three years now, and I have loved every minute of it!  Our entire family has been loving getting to enjoy activities we normally wouldn’t be able to afford, without having to pay for them each time we go!  I can’t wait to share this honest Get Out Pass review with you!

Sweet Frugal Life is an affiliate with Get Out Pass and this article contains affiliate codes.  I will be compensated from purchases made using the links/codes in this article.

get out pass review - Idaho Get Out Pass

What Is The Get Out Pass App?

The Get Out Pass is an subscription based app that gives you free access to multiple local venues and fun activities.  All you have to do is pay a one time yearly fee.  The amount of activities you get for the money you pay is a GREAT value.  We get our moneys worth with just one trip to the amusement park….and then we get so much more beyond that.

This is the perfect way to explore activities around your community, without having to pay tons of money.  My family has experienced more fun activities in the past year with the Get Out Pass, then we have in the 12 years of living here.

How Does The Get Out Pass Work?

Using the Get Out Pass is so easy!  First, sign up for your pass online here.  Make sure to use my discount code:  SWEETFRUGALLIFE to get a percentage off of your yearly pass.  Here’s an insiders hint:  my code will ALWAYS be cheaper then the websites sale price…..you’re welcome! 

You will sign up for your Get Out Pass based on your location.  For example, I live in Idaho, so I have the Idaho Get Out Pass.

After you are all signed up and paid your one time yearly fee, download the Get Out Pass app onto your phone and sign into your newly created account.

Now, all you have left to do is browse the participating attractions available in your area and choose which one you want to visit!

Once you select a venue to visit, drive to that attraction and show the Get Out Pass app to the ticket attendant!

And that’s it!  The staff member will let you inside, free of charge!

*Make sure to read the fine print of each venue before attempting to redeem your pass.  Some attractions have specific days that they can be used and others can only be used a certain number of times throughout the year.

Who Is The Get Out Pass For?

The Get Out Pass is for everyone!  It’s perfect for:

  • Families on a budget
  • Couples needing new date night ideas
  • Someone who likes trying new things

I also highly recommend giving the pass as a gift for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, or just for fun!  How fun to give the gift of experiences!  They will love it!

What Locations Are Available?

Not all locations are available for the Get Out Pass.  Currently you can get a Get Out Pass in these areas:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California – Central Valley
  • California – North
  • California – Southern
  • Colorado
  • Florida – North
  • Florida – South
  • Florida – Central
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Kansas City
  • Kentucky
  • Las Vegas
  • Maryland/Washington D.C.
  • Nebraska
  • New England
  • Nevada – Las Vegas
  • New England
  • New Jersey/Philadelphia
  • New Mexico/West Texas
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh
  • St.Louis
  • Tennessee
  • Texas – Dallas/Fort Worth
  • Texas-Houston
  • Texas – San Antonio/Austin
  • Utah
  • Washington

How Much Does The Get Out Pass Cost?

The yearly cost of Get Out Pass will vary based on your specific location, however most prices are between $50-$150 per person/per year.  Which, when you consider the amount of attractions available to you with the pass, this is a fantastic deal!  If you would to pay for each of the attractions offered, the cost would be so much greater than this deal.

When buying your pass be sure to use my coupon code: SWEETFRUGALLIFE for the best discount on your pass.

What Attractions Are Included?

There are so many fun venues available to you with the Get Out Pass.  Our family has loved getting to try some new places that I normally wouldn’t spend money on.

Every location will have different venues, but here are a few that we get with the Idaho Get Out Pass:

  • Lagoon (YES!  Lagoon, an amusement park in Utah is on the Idaho Get Out Pass!)amusement park
  • Aquarium
  • Art Museum
  • Yellowstone Bear World
  • Archery Range
  • Aquatic Center Swimming Pool
  • Zoo
  • Ice Skating Rink
  • Roller Skating
  • Axe Throwing
  • Chukars Baseball Game
  • Round of Golf
  • Gravity Factory Trampoline Park
  • I-Jump Trampoline Park
  • Glow Golf
  • Museum of Natural History
  • Escape Room
  • Indoor Shooting Range
  • Rock Climbing Gym
  • Arcade
  • Pickleball Club
  • Ski Resort
  • Roaring Springs Water Park
  • Bowling
  • Hot Springs

There really is something for EVERYONE!

Get Out Pass Pros:

There are so many things I love about my Get Out Pass, but here are a few of my favorites:

  • The app is very user friendly and easy to use.  Whenever we want to have a family outing, I can just open up the app and scroll until I find the perfect activity.
  • Getting to experience new places.  I love that we have tried new things, like axe throwing, that I normally wouldn’t spend money on.
  • More quality time spent together with my family.  We’ve loved being able to build more family memories!
  • It’s budget friendly!  If I would pay for each of the activities separately it would cost so much more money then buying the subscription pass.

Get Out Pass Cons:

I promised an honest review, and I’m going to deliver.  Here are a couple of things that I don’t like about the Get Out Pass:

  • Not all attractions are available daily.  Many of the venues aren’t available for weekend use, which can make it difficult for my busy family at times, as we prefer weekends.
  • Some of the venues only allow you to use it for a short time.  Most of the attractions available let you in for the full experience.  But, I was disappointed to see that my local trampoline park only offered a free 15 minute jump session, when an hour long is the norm.  15 minutes is just not long enough to fully enjoy the experience.

In Summary

All in all the pros of the Get Out Pass highly outweigh the cons.  Our family has had the best time using our passes this year, and I can’t wait to renew them for next year!

Related Articles:

Free Things To Do In Salt Lake City

Best Family Games Under $20

25 Completely Free Family Winter Activities

Don’t Forget To Pin This Article For Future Reference:

family activities for cheap - get out pass review

Review of the Idaho Get Out Pass.

How To Make Frugal Living Fun

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

You can still have fun and enjoy life while living on a budget!

I’m frugal. Obviously. I write an entire blog about frugal living. Frugal living makes me happy, it brings me peace, and helps me feel content. However, over the years I have learned that there are many people who misunderstand my lifestyle. I’ve received comments like, “Ew. Frugal living is so gross” or “I hate saving money, it makes life not as fun.”

Now, I understand that the lifestyle I enjoy might not be the lifestyle that others will enjoy. But, one of my goals is to help others understand that frugal living doesn’t have to make life stifling or boring. You can still live a full and happy life while being frugal, and I want to help you make it happen!

Having Fun While Saving Money

First, let’s discuss what having fun means!

The definition of fun is to have enjoyment or light hearted amusement.

Somewhere along the way we have convinced ourselves that in order to have enjoyment we have to spend money, buy experiences, purchase items, or go on trips.

But, the truth is that having fun can be completely free and done in so many unique ways!

Make It A Game

Make frugal living a game! See how much money you can save each month and try to slowly increase how much less you spend month by month. Make sure to give yourself some rewards when you meet your goals!

If you are a competitive person, you might want to set up a little competition with a friend or family member. See who can find the most frugal things to do throughout the week. Whoever wins has to make the other person cookies!

Free Community Events

One of the best ways to get out of the house is to attend free community events! Most communities will host a variety of free events throughout the year. These are the perfect activities to get out of the house, without having to spend money on entertainment.

A few of the free events I’ve found in my local community are:

  • Trunk or Treats
  • Parades
  • Christmas Tree Lighting
  • Festivals
  • Pumpkin Walk
  • Art Shows
  • Concerts in the Park

And so much more!

The best places to find free events is on local facebook groups. I search these groups regularly to find free activities for my family to enjoy.

Fun Free Things You Can Do At Home

You don’t even have to leave your house to be frugal and have fun! There are so many activities you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

  • Play a card game. There are many single player card games you can enjoy by yourself (hello solitaire) or enjoy some time with your friends or family playing a multi player card game.
  • Read a book. Reading is one of my favorite past times, and the best part is you have access to thousands and thousands of free books through your local library! Yay! If audiobooks is more your thing, no worries, you can listen to audiobooks for free using the methods listed here.
  • Have a dance party. Turn on some of your favorite tunes and show off your best dance moves. I love dance parties with myself, or with my family! It’s always sure to put me in a good mood!
  • Practice drawing by watching free YouTube videos.
  • Learn to cook something new. Invite friends over to taste test it for you!
  • Watch a movie! You could cozy up by yourself to watch your favorite movie, or invite some friends over for a fun movie night.
  • Start exercising! There are so so many free exercise videos on YouTube you could use. You could even invite over a few friends to make it more of a party!
  • Put together a puzzle! I always find really cheap puzzles at the thrift store! Just be careful, sometimes they are missing a few pieces!
  • Have a spa day. Treat yourself to a warm bath, face mask, and a home manicure.

Free Things To Do Outside

This beautiful world is full of many fun and free things you can do, just by stepping outside! Here are some of my favorite fun things to do outside that won’t cost you any money.

  • Go on a hike! Find somewhere close to your house for a fun day hike. Even if you aren’t much of a hiker, a small walk through the woods is always great for the soul!
  • Play frisbee golf. Frisbees are super cheap, and once you buy one you can use it forever and ever. Invest in a cheap frisbee and then enjoy a few frisbee golf courses in your area. They are usually located in a park for free!
  • Have a picnic in the park. Pack your favorite lunch and go to the park for a fun outdoor picnic. Invite your friends or family members….or just eat by yourself and enjoy some quiet alone time.
  • Walk around the neighborhood. Maybe hiking isn’t your thing, try going for a nice walk around your neighborhood, or even explore a new neighborhood if you want something new.
  • Go to the beach. Sadly, I do not live near a beach…but if I did then I would be there all the time! It’s the perfect free and fun activity!

Free Things To Do As A Group

I’ve found that a lot of what makes frugal living appear less fun is when you have to decline invites from friends to participate in things that just aren’t in your budget. I get it, I struggle having to say no to those things as well.

What I have found to do instead as a way to keep myself social and make frugal living fun, is to be the one who makes the invites, and suggest frugal group activities!

Here are a few frugal activities you can do with a group:

  • Host a game night. Group games are a fun and frugal way to get together with friends, to laugh, and have fun together. One of my favorite group games is called Fishbowl. Learn how to play it here.
  • Go on an adventure. Invite a few friends to explore a new neighborhood, or go on a drive to somewhere you’ve never been before. Adventures are always so much more fun with friends!
  • Form a book club. One of my favorite things each month is meeting with a group of friends to discuss books! We have formed a wonderful friendship and will spend hours laughing and talking.
  • Have a viewing party. You could invite friends over to watch a football game, or a new movie that was just released. Ask everyone to bring a snack and enjoy watching something all together.
  • Plan a karaoke night. You can do karaoke right at home, without going out. Just look up some youtube karaoke videos, and let everyone have a turn standing and singing.
  • Host a potluck or BBQ. Ask all of your friends to bring a favorite dish and enjoy a eating dinner together without spending tons of money.

You Can Make Frugal Living Fun

I really hope that this article has given you some ideas for easy and frugal ways to have fun! Frugality should never ever make life unenjoyable! It’s meant to increase the value and joy in your life! Life can still be fun when you live frugally!

Pin For Future Reference

Have fun while saving money and living on a budget!

How To Play Town Council – Fun Party Game For All Ages

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Town Council Group Game Instructions

The holidays recently ended, and I love looking back and reminiscing at all of the fun we had.  We were able to get together with family multiple times, played games, ate good food, and laughed a lot.  I’m so grateful for anything that give us an excuse/reason to get together with the people most important to us.  One of my families favorite things to do when we get together is play games.  Today I want to share with you how to play one of our favorite party games for all ages called Town Council.

We love playing Town Council because it’s fun, quick to play, easy to learn, and fun for all ages.  Plus, you will need very minimal prep or supplies.  It is really the perfect big group game.

What is Town Council?

The premise of Town Council is simple really.  Your goal will be to collect all the other players onto your council.  This is done by correctly guessing their previously chosen fake name.  The first person to collect all players wins the game.

It usually takes between 10-20 minutes to complete the game.

Town Council Group Game Set Up

To set up this fun party game for all ages you will need just two supplies:

  • Small strip of blank paper for each player (scratch paper works great!)
  • Pen/pencils

That’s it!  

Before the game begins pass one strip of paper to each player.  Ask them to write a name onto the paper.  This can be any name:  it could be a celebrity, a friend, a cartoon character, or a random name.  There is no rule!

Once every person has written down a name ask them to fold their paper in half one time and put it into a bowl.

How To Play Town Council

Now that all of the slips of paper have been put into the bowl, nominate someone to be the “Mayor”.  The mayor will pull out each of the papers and read them one at a time to the group.  While the names are being read the rest of the players will need to listen closely to each of the names and try to remember as many of the names as they can. 

The names will only be read one time, so everyone should pay close attention.

After all of the games have been read the game can begin!

Sitting in a circle, take turns having each person guess who wrote down each name.  If you guess someone’s name correctly then they will come sit by you and join your “Town Council”.  You now work together as a council of two. 

Play continues until one player has all of the other players on his council.

If you are able to guess someone else’s council of multiple players, then you get the entire team to join your council.  It can be wise strategy to guess the large councils to help your team grow quickly.

Example Game

Here is a sample game to help you understand the process.

Let’s say there are 6 people playing Town Council:  Jessica, Jordan, Claire, Kelly, Greg and Luke.

Jessica goes first and asks Claire:  “Are you Bugs Bunny?”  Claire did not write down Bugs Bunny so she replies, “No.”

Next it is Jordans turn, Jordan asks Jessica, “Are you George Washington?”  Jessica did write down George Washington, so she replies, “Yes.”  Jessica now sits by Jordan and joins his council.  They can now work together to guess the rest of the group.

Now it is Claires turn.  She asks Greg, “Are you Bugs Bunny?”  Greg wrote down Bugs Bunny so he replies with, “Yes.”  He now goes and joins Claires council.

Kelly goes next.  He asks Jordan, “Are you Lebron James?”  Jordan replies “No.”

Luke asks Jordan, “Are you Lizzie McGuire?”  Jordan replies “Yes.”  Now Jordan and Jessica goes and joins Luke’s Council.

  • Play continues again around the circle.  This game is all about memory, make sure to pay attention while players are guessing so that you can remember who says no and yes to each of the names.

Claire asks Luke, “Are you Walt Disney?”  Luke replies, “No.”

Next Kelly asks Claire, “Are you Dwight Schrute?”  Claire is Dwight Schrute so says, “Yes.”  Claire and Greg join Kellys Town Council.

  • Right now the Town Councils are: 
    • Kelly, Claire and Greg
    • Luke, Jordan and Jessica
  • Kelly and Luke are the Town Council leaders and try to guess each others name.  The first person to guess correctly will collect the rest of the players in the game and win the game.

Luke asks Kelly, “Are you Walt Disney?”  Kelly is Walt Disney, so Luke inherits his council and wins the game.  Yay!

Town Council Rules and Tips

Here are a few tips and rules to remember while playing this party game for all ages:

  • You are not allowed to ask someone if they are the name that you wrote down.  It is always tempting to use this strategy to “throw them off your scent” but it is against the rules.
  • As your council grows you are allowed to work together as a team to remember everyone’s names, but only the leader of the council asks the questions.
  • When the mayor is reading the names don’t make any sounds, jokes or remarks about the names being read.  Try to stay as neutral and quiet as possible.  The more comments made about a name the more the group will remember that name, and you don’t want to help anyone else remember the names.

Have Fun!

Town Council is such a fun group game to play!  It truly is the perfect party game for all ages.  I hope that it will become a favorite game for you to play with your family and friends for years to come.

 

Pin For Later:

how to play town council group game

group game fun for all age groups

 

 

I hope your family has fun playing town council, the perfect party game for all ages.

Cheap Staycation Ideas

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Fun Staycation Activities For Families

I can’t wait to share my favorite cheap staycation ideas with all of you!

It’s no secret that I love to travel…..I mean my very favorite sinking fund category ( by far!) is my vacation fund.  However, as we all know, traveling can get expensive….very expensive.

Once you add up the prices for flights, gas, hotels, restaurants, etc there is hardly any money left for the activities!  And we all want the activities!

Which is why I am SO happy that fun staycations are becoming more normalized.

What is a staycation?

A staycation is a vacation where you don’t leave your city, and in many cases you don’t even leave your house!  Instead of traveling to a new location you stay home and take a break from your regular day to day routine, no going to school or work or anything typical.  Instead you will spend your time relaxing, exploring your city, and doing fun activities you never seem to have the time for.

Vacationing the staycation way gives you the opportunity to have a vacation….frugally!  You won’t need to spend money on flights, hotels, and every meal.  Instead you can save that money for something more important (debt payoff maybe???) and enjoy all of the many fun things to do and see right in your own hometown!

cheap staycation ideas - how to have a cheap at home vacation

 

Cheap Staycation Ideas

So, without any further ado!  Here is my master list of the BEST cheap staycation ideas for families!  I hope you are able to find the perfect activity to help you relax, have fun and make memories!

At Home Family Staycation Ideas

Let’s start with my at home staycation ideas.  Some of the best family activities can be enjoyed right in the comfort of your own home!

1.  Movie Marathon

If you are looking for a relaxing and cheap staycation idea you just might love having a movie marathon.  Choose one of your favorites tv or movie series and spend a few days binge watching!  Of course you should add in some popcorn and your favorite movie treats.

You can find some great deals on streaming services if you know where to look!  Shop around and see if you can sign up for a few new ones to enjoy over your movie weekend.

2.  Play Board Games

My family loves playing board games.  It’s a fun way for us to spend time together, laugh, stretch our brains and make memories.  Spending a day playing board games is the perfect staycation idea for families.

Board games can be expensive to buy brand new, but don’t let that deter you!  There are so many budget board games that are perfect for families check out my list of favorites here!  Instead of buying new you could borrow a few games from a friend, or buy some games from the thrift store (my fave place to purchase games).

3.  Have A Spa Day

The entire family can join in on an at home spa day.  Take some individual bubble baths, put on face masks, paint each other nails, and enjoy some R&R together as a family. 

If you are looking for a cheap way for at home salon quality nails, my daughter loves this gel nails system!

Want to spend a little extra money on your spa day?  Try a spa day out!  Take the family to a local spa and enjoy some pampering for the day!

4.  Learn A New Hobby

A staycation is the perfect time to learn a new hobby or work on perfecting one you already have!

You could use this time to take a cake decorating class, paint (my family loves to paint along with the Bob Ross YouTube Videos), learn to sew, sign up for a photography class, or anything else that sounds fun to you!

5.  Yard Games

I am such a sucker for yard games!  I love being outside with my family and yard games are the prefect way to make that happen.

One of my favorite things about yard games is that everyone can play.  I’m not atheltic….so I always feel a little odd when I join in a game of softball, however a yard game….now that is something I can participate in confidently!

A few of my favorite yard games are:

6.  Update A Room In Your House

Do you have a few house projects that you have been putting off?  Use your staycation free time to get those projects done!

Maybe you are wanting to redecorate a room, update a bathroom, or organize a closet.  It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small, just as long as it gets done!

7.  Put Together A Puzzle

Puzzles are a great way to relax and keep your mind sharp.  I love setting out a puzzle on our kitchen table for my family to work on during long weekends at home.  My favorite brand of puzzles are Dowdle!

8.  Get Some R&R

One of my favorite cheap staycation idea is to rest and relax!  The busy hustle and bustle of every day life can wear out anyone and everyone!  You might enjoy using your time off of work to get some much needed rest!  Spend the day in bed catching up on your sleep, there is no harm in that!

9.  Backyard Campout

Have a campout in your own backyard.  You could lay out blankets right under the stars on your trampoline or a cot, or set up a tent with the kids.  

If you happen to have a backyard firepit, try making dinner over the fire.  We LOVE these tin foil dinners.  Trust me, they aren’t your typical tin foil dinner…they are SO much better!  Don’t forget to make the backyard campout extra special with some homemade smores!

10.  Make A Craft

Use your staycation time to make a craft, or two or three!

Here are a few fun crafting ideas for the whole family:

frugal staycation ideas for families - at home vacation ideas

 

Staycation Ideas You Can Do Around Your Town

There are so many fun activities you can do right in your own hometown!  It’s easy to get use to living in the same place, becoming consumed with the day to day life and forgetting to enjoy all the fun experiences right in front of you.

One thing that has helped our family participate in more activities within our hometown is by using out Get Out Pass.

The Get Out Pass is an annual subscription that lets you visit attractions in your area for free!  Last night my family went ax throwing, which is something we never would have tried without the Get Out Pass!  It was so much fun to try something new right in our own city!

When buying your pass be sure to use my coupon code: SWEETFRUGALLIFE (code currently only available for Idaho, Utah, North California, North Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Washington and Colorado passes) for the best discount on your pass (promise, it’s always cheaper than the current deal).

Many of the things I will mention below are places that are included in most Get Out Passes.  

1.  Tour Your City

Try being a tourist in your own town!  It doesn’t matter if you live in a big city or small town, there will always be something new to see or do!  

You could try a new walking path, go window shopping in a different part of town, or try a new restaurant.  Look at your city’s visitor website for ideas, or better yet. use the Get Out Pass to help you find new and fun things to do around town.

2.  Rent Scooters To Tour Your Town

Over the past few years my city has been acquiring more and more Bird Scooters for the community to use.  They are so much fun!  You just download the app onto your phone, scan the scooter you want to rent and enjoy it for as long as you want!  This could make for a very fun family staycation.

3.  Visit Your Local Library

My family all loves to read, so a visit to the library to get new books is always a highlight in our housel!  However, libraries offer SO much more than just books.  Many libraries will loan national park passes, baking pans, board games, movies, and more!

Use some time during your next frugal staycation to see what all your library has to offer!

4.  Visit A Local Museum

Spend an afternoon at one of your local museums.  I just took my kids to the Idaho Potato Museum for free using our Get Out Passes.  It was small and quick, but fun to get out of the house and to learn more about our states famous potatoes.

6.  Restaurant Tour

Are there some restaurants in your city that you’ve been wanting to try?  A family staycation is the perfect time to try them!  Use some of your budgeted money to take a little restaurant tour right in your town!  

Spend a day or two visiting some of the top local restaurants.  You could go out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert…..or all of the above!  You might just find a new family favorite!

6.  Listen To Live Music

Many towns will have live music events throughout the week, especially during the summertime.  We love sitting outside on a summer evening listening to free live music.  Look on your city’s website to find any local live music events in your area.

7.  Go To A Sporting Event

If you have a sports team in your town, a fun staycation idea would be to go to one of their home games.  Sure, it might be a little pricy, depending on the league, but it’s much cheaper than a vacation out of the country!

Our Get Out Pass gives us a free pass to attend one minor league baseball game each year.  It makes attending sporting events much cheaper and we look forward to it every year.

8.  Have A Pool Day

My family insists that a pool must be apart of any sort of vacation….and I’m not arguing!

Consider adding a pool day to your frugal staycation plan!  Spending a day at the pool makes for a great family friendly staycation!  You could even pool hop, trying a different pool every day!  

9.  Attend A Paint Night

Check to see if your city has any paint studios.  These are so fun and make planning a paint night easy.  All you have to do is show up and then you’ll be taught how to paint a beautiful portrait!  It’s a fun night out with friends or family.

If you are looking for something even cheaper, consider an at home paint night!  We love these paint by number kits for at home paint nights.

10.  Go To The Theater

Get dressed up for the evening and head to a local theater to see a new play, concert or comedian.  Community theater can deliver some amazing shows and I love being able to support them whenever I can.

11.  Go To The Zoo or Aquarium

Visit the animals living in your city with a trip to the zoo or aquarium…or both!

If you happen to have a Get Out Pass, there’s a good chance they include a free visit to your local zoo and or aquarium.  We love using our passes each year to visit these attractions!

Don’t forget that if you purchase a Get Out Pass to use my code: SWEETFRUGALLIFE (code currently only available for Idaho, Utah, North California, North Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Washington and Colorado passes) for the cheapest price!

 

Fun Outdoor Staycation Activities For Families

Looking for some fun activities your family can do together in the great outdoors??  Check out some of the following ideas.

1.  Go On A Picnic

Pack up a picnic lunch and go spend the day outside.  You could picnic up in the mountains and take time exploring the forest.  Or, maybe you would prefer a picnic at the beach playing in the waves and soaking up the sun.  Another fun picnic place is a local park.  Make sure to pack a few frisbees and spend time playing together as a family.

2.  Go To The Beach

I do not live near a beach….but if I did it would be my first staycation activity!

Pack a beach bag full of food and sand toys and enjoy a beach day together as a family.  You might enjoy exploring a few different beaches, maybe a new beach each day of your staycation….or just stick to your favorite!  The joy of planning your staycation is that the choice is always yours!

3.  Go On A Bike Ride

If your family owns bikes, going on a few bike rides is the perfect cheap staycation idea.  Make a day out of it by packing a picnic and trying out a few new trails.

You could also rent some bikes if you don’t own any.  The bike rental shop should have some recommendations of good bike trails to try!  It’s always fun to try something new!

4.  Take A Day Trip

I love to see new places, so a fun day trip is right up my alley.  Try taking a day to explore a few nearby towns.  You can try out a few restaurants and enjoy some of the activities the town has to offer.

5.  Visit a U-Pick Farm

Take your family to a local U-Pick farm and enjoy the fresh grown produce.  After you are done picking, bring it home and, depending on what you picked, you can can it, freeze it, or make some homemade treats!

My family loves driving up the mountains every summer and picking huckleberries.  We always bring them home and make huckleberry pancakes for dinner!

6.  Have A Lake Day

Another cheap staycation idea is to enjoy a day with your family at the lake.  You could rent a few kayaks, pack a picnic and enjoy relaxing in nature!

7.  Go Hiking

Hiking is a great way to disconnect from life (including phones!) and spend time connecting with each other.  It gives you the time to talk, share stories, and make memories.  I love taking my family into nature to teach them a different way to relax and relieve stress.

8.  Spend A Day At A National Park

I’ve lived within 2 hours of Yellowstone National Park for the majority of my life…..but I am embarrassed to admit that I don’t go to the park as often as I should.

If you are like me and live within driving distance of a National Park you might enjoy using your staycation time to finally go enjoy it for all it’s glory.

National Parks allow free entry to everyone about 4 days each year.  They also have a pass for 4th graders to get in free.  Make sure to look up details about both of these awesome opportunities to make your cheap staycation even better!

9.  Play Your Favorite Sport

My family loves going outside and playing a sport together.  Honestly, none of us are all that athletic, but we just enjoy being active and having fun together.  

We love to play about anything!  But our favorites are soccer, baseball and kickball.

Playing a sport together as a family is the perfect cheap staycation idea.

10.  Go Bird Watching

Help your kids learn more about birds through a bird watching activity.  Get a bird watchers book for the library, or this one from Amazon and learn all about birds!

Afterwards you could come home and play my favorite boardgame, Wingspan.  It will add to the bird watching theme day!

 

Nothing Wrong With Cheap Staycations

I want to stress that there is nothing wrong with taking your kids on a staycation.  I know that the flashy vacations you see on instagram look like the ideal family time….and those are great!  But really, the most important things is spending time together as a family.

Don’t feel guilty if all you can afford is a budget friendly staycation….feel proud that you are taking the time to plan special memories for your kids.

 

 

Pin For Later:

cheap staycation ideas - how to vacation at home

 

I hope your family enjoys these cheap staycation ideas!

Best Christmas Traditions For Families On A Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Life16 Comments

Frugal Christmas Activities To Do This Year.

Are you looking for the best Christmas traditions for families on a budget?  I’ve got you covered in this article!

Christmas is just my very very favorite season.  I love the lights, the snow, planning that perfect gift for a loved one, and the joy I feel from everyone around me.  It truly is the most magical time of the year!  

This fun holiday makes December the perfect month for establishing frugal family christmas traditions.  My hope is that one day my little family will look back on their childhood and remember the sweet memories and traditions we made together year after year.

The best part about traditions is that you do not have to spend a lot of money to make these memories with your family.  A lot of activities can be done completely FREE!  Here are 20 of the best frugal Christmas traditions for families.

Best Christmas Traditions For Families - Free Christmas Activities

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Frugal Christmas Activities For Families

I hope you find one, or many traditions to start with your family this year!  Time passes fast, we have to enjoy every single moment while we can!

1.  Decorate the Christmas Tree

Each year our family hikes through the forest to cut down our very own fresh Christmas tree.  This is one of my favorite things to do all year!

After we find that “perfect” tree we bring it home, turn on some Christmas music and spend a fun evening decorating it together.  Our Christmas tree is decorated with salt dough ornaments, candy canes, and all the things that bring sentimentality and love to my life.  The ornaments made by the hands of my sweet children are ones I will cherish forever!

2015-12-17 20.31.34

 

2.  Read Christmas Stories By The Christmas Tree

Another frugal Christmas tradition that I love is reading a Christmas story by the Christmas tree each night.  It’s such a sweet and magical time as a family.

Every night for the entire month of December we turn off the lights in our house, sit in front of the lit up Christmas tree, and read a Christmas Story.  I’ve been collecting sweet holiday short stories from the internet and Christmas picture books from thrift stores.  I try to buy one or two used Christmas books each year and have slowly increased my collection over the years.

3.  Look At Christmas Lights

One of the best family Christmas traditions for families on a budget is to drive around looking at Christmas lights.  We love during this activity each year and have found a few favorite neighborhoods that we like to visit.

I always pop some popcorn for the kids (and me!) to snack on during the drive and the kids bring a blanket and wear their pajamas.  Of course, we have our favorite holiday music on in the background.  It is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to enjoy the holidays together as a family.

4.  Bake Holiday Goodies

I mean really, does it get any better than holiday baking??  I think NOT!  With hundreds of different recipes and treats to choose from, we could be baking all month long!

Holiday baking is a great frugal Christmas tradition to do with kids.  My kids love to help in the kitchen, ESPECIALLY if they know treats are involved!  A few of our holiday favorites are gingerbread men, cinnamon candy, pretzels dipped in chocolate, Christmas tree cookies, and homemade toffee.

IMG_4969

5.  Deliver Neighbor Gifts

After all the holiday baking it’s so fun to deliver those yummy homemade goodies to friends and neighbors.  This is a great activity to get the kids involved with.

Package the goodies onto a cute plate, add a homemade card and spend an evening bringing some joy to your neighborhood.  I love this tradition and the way it brings a community together.

6.  Christmas Countdown With An Advent Calendar

My kids love counting down for Christmas each day with our homemade advent calendar.  We have one very similar to this Christmas Tree Calendar.  Each day they get to put a new ornament on the tree.  I love watching their faces light up as the tree fills with ornaments.  When the tree is full, Christmas is here.  It makes the long wait a little bit easier for the excited kids!

 

7.  Watch A Christmas Movie

Plan an evening and have a Christmas movie night together as a family.  I love snuggling up with my family and watching a feel good holiday movie together.  We enjoy classics like; It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas; or a newer family favorite like Elf.  It really is one of the best Christmas traditions for families on a budget.

Netflix has a lot of great Christmas movie options, or check out a few from your local library.

8.  Make A Christmas Craft

There are hundreds of darling Christmas Craft ideas all over Pinterest.  These are so fun to do with the kids during a school holiday break.  Be creative and try making a new craft every year.  It will be so fun to look back on crafts made over the years.

9.  Make Paper Snowflakes

Homemade paper snowflakes can add a fun and whimsical look to your home, plus they are free!.  Spend an afternoon cutting out paper snowflakes with your family and hang them all around your house. 

Here is an easy paper snowflake tutorial to follow.  It’s such a joy to see every snowflake, each with a different unique design.

10.  Host A Christmas Eve Dinner

I love hosting my families annual Christmas Eve dinner.  It’s a fun way to get together with friends or family and celebrate the holiday.  We always eat a big dinner (potluck to spread out the work and cost) and play a few Christmas games.  It’s simple and basic, but one of my favorite traditions.

11.  Write Letters To Santa

Another fun Christmas tradition for families on a budget is to write letters to Santa Clause.  I am personally not a huge fan of the traditional letters to Santa, where the kids ask for all the things they want to be brought to them. 

Instead, I have my kids write to tell Santa about all of the good and nice things they have done throughout the year.  My hope is this will encourage them to focus more on being kind and less on materialistic things.

12.  Light the World

We have been participating in Light the World for the past few years.  Light the World is a campaign sponsored by my church.  It encourages families to look for ways to serve within their family, community and in the world.  It is absolutely open to EVERYONE!  The focus is less about religion, and more on giving others service and love.

There are so many different ways to serve and love others.  Bake cookies for your local fire department, participate in Operation Shoe box, volunteer at a local soup kitchen, or become “Secret Santa” for a family in need.  I love having my kids participate in this and have found it really brings the true spirit of Christmas into our home.

13.  Act out the Nativity

Every Christmas Eve my kids act out the nativity as an adult reads the story out of Luke 2.  The kids dress up as Mary, Joseph, The Wise Men, etc. 

I love this tradition and how it helps us focus on the reason for the season.  It really is one of the best Christmas traditions for families on a budget.

14.  Make a Ginger Bread House

Spend an afternoon making a ginger bread house with your family.  You can usually find fairly cheap gingerbread kits at your local grocery store.  One year we just used graham crackers and homemade frosting.  For decorations we used items we already had in my pantry, like chocolate chips, marshmallows and almonds. 

It really doesn’t matter how fancy of a house you build, all that matters is that you’re spending time with your loved ones and participating in family friendly Christmas activities.

C6E10A82-7607-445E-9B92-58F449FD7C5E

15.  Have A Christmas Cookie Exchange

Invite some friends over for an annual Christmas Cookie Exchange!  It’s an easy party to throw, just ask everyone to bring a dozen cookies and enjoy socializing and taste testing all of the different holiday cookies. 

You might even find a new favorite recipe!  One of my favorite Christmas cookie are these Christmas Tree Cookies.

16.  Send Out A Christmas Email

Instead of following the traditional tradition of sending out Christmas cards, try sending out a Christmas email instead.  This is a much cheaper option (hello free!) and still a fun way to reach out to friends and family.  You can include a few pictures and a short update of what your family has been up to over the past year.  I have even seen some free email card services you could look into!

17.  Host A White Elephant Party

Host a White Elephant Party at your home.  Ask everyone to bring a wrapped gift (something they already have around their house) and then play a fun gift exchange game.  

This is a fun way to exchange gifts with friends, without having to spend a lot of money on everyone.  It’s also sure to bring a lot of laughs!!

18.  Make A Hot Chocolate Bar

Set up a hot chocolate bar on Christmas Day.  Keep it simple to prevent overspending.  A few peppermint sticks, some marshmallows and whipped cream are all budget friendly ideas.  Try out my easy homemade hot chocolate mix recipe for something quick and delicious you can make at home.

19.  Attend A Christmas Concert Or Event

Look around your community for free Christmas Concerts and Events happening around town.  Does your city put on a free nativity, light parade or other special concerts?  You can usually find at least a few Christmas Concerts at the local high school this time of year.

Pick one or a few of these activities you can attend as a family.  Many of them will be free, or maybe just a few dollars.  It’s a fun way to spend a night out of the house and support your community.

20.  Cookies for Santa and Reindeer Food

My kids love setting out milk and cookies for Santa Clause on Christmas Eve. It’s such a sweet and fun Christmas tradition for families.

Consider going one step further and make some Reindeer Food.  This is so easy to do by mixing oats and glitter together.  Sprinkle the magic reindeer food out in your yard to help the reindeer find your house.

Christmas Traditions

Spend Time Together

I hope you enjoyed these ideas for some of the best Christmas traditions for families on a budget.

The most important part of family traditions is that you focus on spending time together.  It doesn’t always matter what you do, as long as you are focused on each other.

Related Articles:

Best Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

How to Save Money For Christmas

Easily Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

Pin For Next Christmas:

christmas traditions for families - fun christmas traditions to start

What are some other fun Christmas traditions for families on a budget?

Road Trip On A Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

How to save money on a family road trip.

My family and I are currently in the process of preparing for a spring break road trip.  We are so excited to spend quality time together and look forward to visiting a few sights, like the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and more!  Traveling by car can be a very frugal way to sight see, but like any vacation, expenses will add up quickly.  Today I’m sharing a few tips to help you road trip on a budget.

easy ways to save money on a road trip - cheap road trip ideas

Budget Friendly Road Trip Hacks

I am a huge proponent of the fact that you can still have FUN, enjoy life, and live on a BUDGET.  It’s possible!!  Planning a vacation around a road trip is a great way to have fun without spending a lot of money.  However, expenses can add up on, even when traveling by vehicle. 

So, here are a few ways you can save money on a family road trip…so that you can spend your hard earned money in other ways.

1.  Plan Ahead

One of the most important parts of road tripping on a budget is to plan ahead.  I suggest planning for your road trip a few months in advance (or as soon as you decide to travel).  There are a lot of factors to consider when making a good road trip plan.  Don’t forget to include: 

  • Making a budget (don’t forget to include gas, food, attractions, and miscellaneous)
  • Researching/planning places to eat, sleep and things to do
  • Meal planning/prep for foods you will pack and make yourself
  • Looking over the best route for driving

As you are making your road trip plan be sure you plan as frugally as possible using the tips below.  Give yourself enough time to research and plan ahead so that you will be able to find the most affordable options and frugal hacks.

How To Save Money on Road Trip Food

There are many ways to save money on road trip food.  Below are a few of my favorite hacks!

2.  Pack Your Own Food

One of my favorite parts of road tripping is the food.  There is just nothing better than munching on snacks, while listening to a good audiobook, and watching the scenery go by!  To save money on road trip food is important to pack as much as you can from home.

Buying food from gas stations and restaurants will get expensive fast.  And most tourist grocery stores will have higher prices than your local grocery store.  However, if you plan ahead (remember that little planning tip we already talked about 😉 ) and pack your own food in the car, you will be able to save a lot of money.

Here are a few of our favorite food to pack on a road trip:

  • Fresh fruit
  • Carrot sticks
  • Deli sandwiches
  • Bagels with cream cheese
  • Peanut butter sandwich
  • Granola bars
  • Muffins
  • Pita wraps
  • Nuts
  • Jerky
  • Popcorn
  • Pretzels
  • Yogurt
  • Salad

3.  Skip Restaurants & Eat At The Grocery Store

Ok, hear me out on this one!

If you don’t love the idea of packing your own food for your budget friendly road trip, then consider stopping at grocery stores along the way to eat your meals, rather than stopping at restaurants to eat.

You can get delicious, high quality food at grocery stores, with much lower prices than you would spend at a restaurant.  We love stopping at grocery stores for foods like deli sandwiches, friend chicken, fresh fruit and salads.  Try it, you just might like it!

4.  Stay At An Airbnb

Staying at an Airbnb is an easy way to save money on food expenses.  Most Airbnbs will give you access to a full kitchen, making it possible to cook all of your own meals, instead of eating out.

However, make sure to look at all of the hidden costs when booking an Airbnb to ensure that you really will be saving money.  The cleaning and extra fees can really add up, which means that sometimes it isn’t always the cheapest option!

5.  Stay In A Hotel With A Microwave/Fridge

You don’t have to book accommodations with a full kitchen to cook your own meals.  A hotel room with a microwave and fridge will provide all that you need to whip up a few easy meals.

Here are a some of the meals my family likes to eat in our kitchenette hotel room:

Breakfast:

  • Muffins
  • Yogurt parfaits
  • Fruit
  • Cereal
  • Oatmeal

Lunch & Dinner:

  • Mac and Cheese
  • Sandwiches
  • Bagels with Cream Cheese
  • Fruit
  • Protein Drink
  • Salad
  • Cup of Noodles

6.  Bring A Reusable Water Bottle

Avoid spending money on water bottles by packing your own reusable water bottle and filling it up with free water where available! 

I personally love this Stanley dupe water bottle.  It has a lot of really cute colors and great reviews.

7.  Eat Out For Lunch Instead of Dinner

If you do decide to go out to eat for a few meals, make sure to eat out for lunch instead of dinner.  Most restaurants will offer a cheaper menu during lunch hours, so that you can get the same product for a better price.

8.  Stay somewhere with a free breakfast

Make sure to always book a hotel that offers a free breakfast.  A free breakfast will give you one less meal you’ll have to pay for during the day.  Take advantage of the free breakfast by filling up so you can eat lighter for your other meals.

9.  Split A Meal

A great restaurant hack to save extra money is to order one meal and split it between two people!  This gives you two meals for the price of one!  You could even decide to eat half of your meal and then save the other half for lunch the next day!

10.  Take Advantage of Happy Hour

Many restaurants offer discount prices during happy hour.  It’s easy to do a quick google search to find restaurants nearby that participate in happy hour.  Plan your meals around those times and restaurants for the best discounts.

 

How to Save Money On Sleeping Accommodations

Taking your time and using patience is the best way to book budget friendly sleeping accommodations.  There are deals available…but it takes a little bit of searching and research!

11.  Shop Around For Sleeping Accommodations

Prices for the same hotel can differ on each website.  Make sure to take your time comparing multiple websites to find the best deal.

Next, call the hotel directly to ask if they can offer you an even lower price than what you found on the website.  Often if you call the hotel directly they will give you an even better deal than you found online.

Another option for finding good hotel deals is to use a bidding website, such as Priceline.  We used Priceline when booking a hotel for our trip to New York City and ended up staying in a beautiful hotel, with a fantastic room and in the perfect location….and it was a great price!

Make sure to book your hotel using the Rakuten cashback app!  It will often give you an extra 1-10% cashback on your hotel stay.

12.  Consider Camping

If you are really wanting to save money on overnight stays, you might want to consider camping somewhere.  Camping can be a much cheaper than a hotel room, especially if you already have your own camping equipment.

You could camp while sleeping in your car, or pack along a tent and sleeping bag to set up.  My kids love to camp and any chance we get to do it into a fun family adventure.  Camping is a great way to see new places while enjoying the fresh air.

13.  Stay With Friends Or Family

Another super cheap way to save money on lodging is to ask friends or family if you could stay with them for a night.  They will love being able to catch up and host their loved ones!  

Make sure to bring a nice thank you card or fresh flowers to show your gratitude!

 

How To Save Money On Entertainment

Try to have some fun while on your road trip!  My family loves getting to enjoy some of the fun things each of our destinations has to offer.  Fortunately, there are so many fun and free things you can do while traveling which makes frugality easy!  I’ve listed a few ideas below for your road trip on a budget!

14.  Visit Free Attractions

Road trips are a great way to see more of the world, and a lot of that can be done for free!  Look for free museums, zoos, or road side attractions that you can stop and visit.  Your family might also enjoy going on a hike, picnic, or playing in a nearby lake.

Talk to locals, and do some online research to find the best free attractions in the places you’ll be visiting.  You just might be surprised at how many you find!

15.  Get A National Parks Pass

An annual National Parks Pass is only $80!  There are so many fun and interesting things to see and do in our national parks, that $80 investment can bring a lot of fun and memories to your road trip.

There are also a few frugal hacks to purchasing a national parks pass, you can read all about them here.

16.  Use Coupons

When planning activities for your road trip, be sure to look into any coupons available.  I like to find coupons using Groupon, searching on google, or checking local facebook groups.

17.  Free Audiobooks

Listening to audiobooks is a great way to pass time while driving.  And guess what?!?!  You don’t have to spend any money to listen to audiobooks!  There are so many free resources out there for your enjoyment!  Be sure to check out my full list here:  Free Audiobook Resources.

 

How To Save Money On Gasoline When Road Tripping

One of the bigger expenses when it comes to a road trip is paying for gas.  As fuel prices keep climbing, consumers continue to look for new ways to save money.  Here are a few tips that might help.

18.  Drive Smart

The first way to save money on fuel is to drive smart!  Smart driving will help you get the most out of your car mileage.

Slightly changing the way you drive can make a big difference on your fuel consumption.  Slamming on your breaks or speeding up quickly will hurt your gas mileage.  Instead, try to get into the habit of accelerating and braking slowly and gradually.  It really does make a difference!

You’ll also find yourself saving money by driving at a decreased speed.  Driving at a speed of 65 mph is a good rule of thumb to get the best gas mileage.

19.  Use Upside Cashback App When Getting Gas

I’ve recently started using the free GetUpside app and loving it!  All you have to do is download the app and you will be able to see the gas offers in your area.  Choose the offer you want, the offers I’ve received have been anywhere from 15 cents/gallon – 1 cent/gallon cashback. After you select the offer you want to redeem, just go fill up with gas and scan your receipt into the GetUpside app.  It’s all really easy!  I’ve been using it for about a month and have earned $10 already!  Yay!

20.  Use the Gas Buddy App

The best way to find which gas station will be the best deal is to download and start using the free Gas Buddy app to help you find the cheapest gas in your area.

It’s really easy to use!  Just download the app and enter in your location.  The app will then search to find the gas prices near you.  Scroll through your options until you find the best deal and use that station to fill up!

The prices will change and vary day to day, so check the app each time you need gas.

Other Ways To Save Money On Your Road Trip

Here are a few other ways you can cut costs on your next family road trip.

21.  Avoid Traveling During Holidays

Holiday travel tends to make prices in all areas increase.  If you can, try to plan your trips over non-holiday weekends.  This will save you money on gas, activities, and lodging.

22.  Pack instead of buy

Reduce the amount of items you will have to buy on your road trip by planning ahead and packing as much as you can.  Don’t forget to pack medication, band aids, all of the shoes you will need, jackets, and any other gear you think will be useful.

There is nothing worst than getting to your destination to realize you have to go to the store and buy something that you forgot to pack.

23.  Avoid Toll Roads

Toll roads are often an unexpected expense.  Make sure to plan your driving route to avoid having to pay these tolls. 

Use google maps to find the best non-toll road route.  This is easily done by clicking on the “avoid tolls” button in the “plan route” section.

24.  Invite A Friend

Inviting a friend on your frugal road trip is another great way to reduce costs.  Together you can split the cost of gasoline, lodging, and even meals at restaurants!  Plus, you’ll make countless memories!

 

 

In Conclusion

Don’t let frugality stop you from exploring and having fun.  Instead, have fun in a frugal way!  I hope these ideas help you to have an incredibly fun road trip on a budget!

 

Pin For Later:

frugal road trip tips - budget road trip

 

 

 

A road trip on a budget is possible!

Easy Valentine Day Crafts For Kids

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Check out these easy Valentine crafts!

Valentines day is such a fun time of year.  I love showing my loved ones how much I care about them.  And it’s even more fun to teach my kids to show love to others!  These easy Valentine day crafts for kids are the perfect activities for a fun February day.

Consider helping your kids make a few crafts to give to their friends and family.  Or they can make some to help decorate the house with a little bit of festivity.  Whichever you choose, make sure to enjoy this fun time together making easy Valentines crafts!

Fun Valentine Day Craft Ideas

Have fun making these easy Valentine Day crafts!  Let me know which one is your favorite!

1.  Clay Valentine Magnets

Check out these adorable Clay Valentine Magnets!  You only need three ingredients and some paint to make them!  They are the perfect craft for kids both young and old.  I can’t wait to make some and hang them on our fridge.

3 Ingredient Clay Valentine Magnets

2.  Panda Valentine Craft

This Panda Valentine craft is not only the cutest thing ever, but it also comes with a free template!  Which for someone like me (non-expert crafter), a template is a must!  Your kids will have so much fun making this craft to give away or keep for themselves, and they will be able to work on their fine motor skills at the same time!

two panda valentine crafts

3.  Conversation Heart Bookmarks

I’m in love with this next easy Valentine day craft!  These conversation heart corner bookmarks are so fun and make a great gift for book lovers!  All it takes is a little bit of folding and glue and you have the cutest bookmark ever!  This is a craft that anyone can do!

Conversation Heart Bookmarks

4.  Valentines Foam Pencil Toppers

Here’s another fun craft for Valentines, Foam Pencil Toppers.  This tutorial comes with a template to help your kids make a hedgehog, owl, penguin and racoon pencil toppers.  The instructions are easy to follow and the results are absolutely darling!

Valentines Foam Pencil Toppers | Homan at Home

 

 

5.  Valentine Yarn Hearts

My kids love making these easy valentine yarn hearts each year.  They are quick, cheap and so cute!  All you need is some cardboard (thank you leftover Amazon box!) and some yarn.  The colors are so fun to customize and mix and match.  They make cute decorations and gifts.

6.  Heart Paint Chip Garland

If you want simple and cheap Valentine decor, I have the thing for you!  You can quickly make this Heart Paint Chip Garland.  It’s very easy to customize and make with your favorite love-day colors.

My kids love having a few holiday decorations in their rooms, and this would be the perfect craft for them to make and hang over their bead.

valentine decor

7.  Heart Suncatcher

I love hanging crafted suncatchers in my windows.  The light that comes through is so pretty.

Your kids will love making their own heart suncatcher following this tutorial.

Hand holding finished heart suncatcher up to window

 

 

8.  Valentines Day Toilet Paper Roll Vase

Crafts that repurpose are just my favorite type of crafts!  They are frugal through and through!

That is one of the reasons why I love this Valentines Day Toilet Paper Roll Vase craft.  It turns something that would have been tossed into the trash, a toilet paper roll, into something beautiful and useful.  Your kids will love making these vases and placing pretty flowers inside!

Valentine’s Day Toilet Paper Roll Flower Vase

 

 

9.  Valentines Pom Pom Painting

Here’s the perfect Valentines day craft for toddlers and preschoolers, Valentines Day Pom Pom painting.  The activity introduces a new way to paint, using pom poms and a clothespin!  This method results in a fun, easy to create heart art!

Two finished Pom Pom Heart Paintings on white background

10.  DIY Valentine Felt Heart

If you are looking for an easy Valentines Day craft for older kids, try this DIY Valentine Felt Heart! 

Felt is very budget friendly, making this craft a perfect option for the frugal conscious.  The hearts are perfect for giving to others or to use as a decoration around your home.

DIY Felt Valentine Hearts | Mommy Evolution

11.  Love Bug Toilet Paper Roll Craft

Your kids will love making this adorable love bug….and again…I love that it’s repurposing something that would have been thrown away!  This is a very easy and cute project, perfect for young kids!

pink love bug made using toilet paper roll

12.  Origami Heart

Folding origami is so fun, and with the right instructions can be very simple.  Here is a great tutorial for folding an easy origami heart that make great corner bookmarks!  Make your corner bookmarks in a variety of colors to giveaway and use in all of your favorite books.

Valentine paper heart origami bookmark craft

13.  Valentines Day Frame

Alright, I have the perfect craft for any non crafters out there!  Seriously, anyone can make this Valentines Day frame craft….and it’s the cutest thing ever!  So, basically a win-win all around!

I love the idea of using this frame as a decoration, you can put a picture of your family inside of it.  Or, it can be a great gift with a picture of you and your loved one together.

DIY Valentine's Day Frame

 

 

14.  Gnome Paper Craft

Another fun valentine paper craft is to make this darling gnome.  It comes with a free template, for easy cutting and designing and it is just so cute!  I want to make one just for me!

15.  Love You To Pieces Wreath

I’m so in love with this fun puzzle piece wreath!  It’s so creative and simple to make!

This adorable DIY Valentine Wreath is an easy and thrifty Valentine's Day craft to make with kids. All you need is a dollar store puzzle, a recycled cardboard box, and simple art supplies! 

 

 

16.  DIY Heart Crayons

My kids use to make these heart crayons all the time.  It’s a great way to use up half used crayons, and create something new and fun.  The silicone molds come in a lot of different shapes and designs too!

4 mutli-colored new heart crayons made from crayons melting in oven in silicone heart molds.

17.  Tissue Paper Heart Craft

Crafting with tissue paper is always affordable and kid friendly.  The tissue paper heart craft is perfect for helping young ones work on their fine motor skills while creating something new.

textured heart with tissue paper and supplies around it.

18.  Popsicle Stick Heart Garland

This popsicle stick heart garland is so cute and unique!  It’s something that I haven’t ever seen before, and that just makes me love it even more!  I love trying new projects like this with my kids.

valentines day garland craft

19.  Mess Free Smush Painting

Want to craft with your kids, but hate the mess??  Try the mesh free smush painting method! 

All of the painting is done within a contained plastic bag!  This is especially a great craft idea for toddlers!

image shows painted heart art

20.  Love Code Bracelet

How cute is this love code bracelet?!  I think it’s the perfect craft for kids who love coding….but also need a break from a screen!

Valentines Day Coding Activity LOVE

21.  Crystal Hearts Science Experiment

There just isn’t much better than turning a craft into a science experiment!  It will get your kids fingers and creativity working, all while helping them learn! 

The Crystal Hearts Science Experiment is the perfect Valentine craft turned experiment to do with your kids this year!

still wet crystal hearts drying on a paper towel after forming in jars

22.  Valentine Hugs

I use to make these Valentine Hug crafts all the time when I was young, and they always made me so happy!  It’s a very easy craft to make, and this tutorial even provides a free template you can use!  I love free templates!

valentine hugs man with accordion arms

23.  Pom Pom Love Bug Craft

Here’s another super cute and easy Valentines day craft idea that kids can do, make a Pom Pom Love Bug!  It will only take a few minutes to whip up a few of these darling bugs, and they are super easy to customize just the way your child wants them!

Valentines day love bug

 

Have Fun With These Easy Valentine Day Crafts for Kids!

I hope this articled helped you to find a few fun crafts to do with your kiddos this year.  Crafting with kids is one of the best ways to make memories and build bonds.  And, with the ideas listed here you won’t need to spend hardly any money at all!

 

Pin For Later:

cheap and simple valentine day craft ideas for kids - easy heart crafts

 

easy crafts for valentines - fun activities for valentines day

There are so many easy Valentine day crafts for kids to make!

Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer