If, like lots of families, you’re currently trying to keep your day to day living costs low, that might mean that you’re starting to cut back on costs wherever you can, including on luxuries.
However, just because you’re cutting back on certain costs, that doesn’t have to mean that you can plan fun little treats for your kids – it’s simply a case of being smart about the approach you take to treating your little ones, that’s all.
The good news is that there are lots of fun, cute and quirky ways that you can do nice things for your little ones without it costing you the earth, it’s simply a case of being frugal in terms of the things that you plan.
In need of a little inspiration? Wondering how you can plan little treats for your kids that won’t break the bank? Below is a guide to some if the ins and outs of little things you can do to put a smile on your kids’ faces and spend some much-needed quality family time altogether.
Photo source: Pixabay
For everything that you need to know, have a read of the tips and ideas below.
Plan a fun at-home movie night
Kids tend to love a family movie night, so a great way to make them smile is by planning a movie night where you all sit down together and watch their favourite movies. You can turn your living room into a super cosy snug, full of cushions and blankets to make the evening even more cinema-like.
You could also get some cinema-style snacks in stock, such as popcorn, ice cream pots and pick and mix sweets for them. To add to the experience, you can buy some cute cinema accessories online at seriously cheap prices, from popcorn holders to movie theatre style drinks cups with straws.
Cook their favourite breakfast
Another great way to surprise your little ones and spend some quality time together could be by planning their favourite breakfast for them with a fun, themed twist.
Say, for instance, their favourite breakfast is fluffy belgian waffles, perhaps you could create a build your own waffle station and have bowls packed full of all of their favourite toppings and sauces? It’s the little things like this that tend to make the biggest difference and will stick in their minds as a great family memory.
Go on a bike ride
Doing something different that you don’t normally do as a family can be a great way to help make life long memories with your little ones. If the whole family has bikes (or scooters), planning a family bike ride can be a lovely way to spend some much-needed quality family time together without overspending.
If you head online you should be able to find lots of fun, safe, family-friendly routes in the local area that you and your little ones could tackle together. To make a day of it, perhaps you could also pack a picnic that you could sit down and enjoy part way along your route while you take a little cycling break.
Have a craft day
If your kids love to make things and get creative, a great way to spend some quality time together is to plan a family craft day. Instead of leaving your little ones to craft on their own, plan out a low-cost activity that the whole family can involved in and have fun with together.
Whether this means buying a cheap crafting kit online or from a craft store, such as a family tie dye kit that will allow the whole family to tie dye their own matching t-shirts or a clay model making kit that teaches you how to craft mini models, it doesn’t matter what you do, just as long as it’s something that your kids would enjoy doing.
Cook together
If you rarely have time to cook or bake with your little ones, planning an afternoon of cooking and baking could be a nice way to spend some time together. Ask your little ones what their favourite food to cook would be and then spend some time making it together.
Should they not be sure about what they would like to cook, then it might be worth taking the time to have a little look online at some kid-friendly baking and cooking ideas. Often, things like homemade pizza, sausage rolls and sweet treats always tend to go down well.
There you have it, a simple guide to some low-cost treats that are perfect for little ones.