Economic Adventures for the Whole Family
By Pastor Ryan | Posted March 20, 2009
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was written by guest author and Care Pastor, Tony Butts. Enjoy!]
I am a dad who loves to do things with my family. There is nothing better than having a great afternoon with my kids that ends with a giant hug and "you are the best dad in the world" statement. Yeah, that feels nice. But with finances tight it seems like every month it gets harder and harder to go places that I know will set back my budget. So, that puts me on the lookout all of the time for inexpensive ways to have fun with my kids.
While on my way to work the other day I ran across a magazine (free) called "Parent Map" -I think I have fallen in love. The March 2009 edition has slapped on the cover "Huge Family Recession Guide." I thought why not check it out. I am so glad I did. There were places to go in there, websites to check out, and special coupons just for parents to take their kids on inexpensive adventures.
Right away the first thing I noticed was advertisements with coupons for the family. Things like $1 off per person at the Imagine Children's Museum in Everett, $3 off tickets to the EMP/Science Fiction Museum, organic restaurants with kids-eat-free nights. It had my attention. Then in the center I found a calendar filled with fun activities for the whole family for every day of the month; everything from special activities at your local library to ways to get discounted tickets to Broadway Musicals. Here are some of the great things that I noticed that may be of interest to you:
HOUSEHOLD NEEDS: Did you know you can take your kids to the Gene Juarez Academies in Seattle or Federal Way and get professional haircuts for $13 (or get yours done for $18)? What about clothing? Check out Saturday's Child in Bothell or Plato's Closet for some great deals on last season's clothes -very in style for all age groups. Need books? Besides checking out your local libraries book sales make sure you visit Half Price Books in Bellevue. Need a break? Check your kids into the YMCA in Bothell and for $30 per child kids can swim, play gym games, arts and crafts and have dinner while you enjoy time with your spouse.
Want to eat economically. Check out these websites. Go to www.rubyslipperguide.com and click on "specialty guide" and it lists all of the places where your kids can eat for free and what nights they do it. Amazing! Or go to www.valpak.com and print off some incredible coupons to local restaurants.
Here are some other bonuses you need to check out:
Jump Planet in Bothell: 1 1/2 Hrs of bounce fun for your kids, $6 first child, $4 additional children during special times. Go here for more details.
Free Movies at your local theater during the summer: Free Family Film Festival and AMC Theatres.
Free admission to Local Museums: The first Thursday of each month the following Museums have free admittance to the whole family: Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum, Museum of Flight, Seattle Art Museum and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.
Check out other events from the Seattle Convention and Visitor's Bureau and look for additional coupons here. Also check out these sites for additional coupons and events: www.seattlesouthside.com; www.snohomish.org; www.traveltacoma.com/coupons.
Remember that kids really don't care how much it costs, they just want quality time with their parents. If you can build memories and invest in your children while staying within your budget it is a win for everyone. Love your kids and spend some time with them. You can find even more stuff if you go online to www.parentmap.com.
—Tony Butts
[Please note that all of this information was taken from "Parent Map" March 2009 Vol. 7 no. 3]