Entertainment On a Budget #8

Although this idea could be placed with festivals, fireworks are one of my favorite things, so I think they deserve their own post. Another tradition in my family, going to see the fireworks every July 4th remains one of my favorite events of the year. In my hometown, they are small and simple, but they are no less beautiful.

It's always fun to gather with all the other people an hour or more before the show just to get a good viewing spot. Over the years, I've made it a goal to find the best view. It's not just an idea for family either. Get a group of friends together with a few blankets and some refreshments. Take sparklers for some pre-show entertainment.

While just going to a fireworks show is free, you can spend a little money and buy some fireworks of your own. Be careful though. They're fun and pretty, but they are just flaming balls of fire that can hurt as well.

Entertainment On a Budget #7

Christmas Decorations

Every year my family and I drive around to different parks in the area looking at the Christmas displays. Usually the displays are donated by local businesses, so there's always a vast array of different kinds of lights and displays. Most parks don't require a fee, but donations of canned goods or a small amount of money are welcome. If there aren't any parks near your area, you can drive around the neighborhoods in your town. They can offer some fun, too! Click on this link for a great display: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szLmAPW39uE

This can be a good date idea, as well. Since the decorations are only up once a year, it will be a novelty to go. While you drive around, you can talk and get to know each other better. However, if you're stumped for things to say, the decorations can provide converstation starters.

Entertainment On a Budget #6

Festivals provide cheap--sometimes free--entertainment. Check your local paper or town's website to see if there are any near you. Almost every place, from large cities to small towns, have some kind of yearly festival. Near my area there is an ice cream festival, a blues festival, and a highlands festival.

If you enjoy like the festival, you can easily make it a yearly tradition to attend. This is, also, a great idea for a first date because you can get to know the person better while enjoying the festivities.

Entertainment On a Budget #5

Most of the time scavenger hunts are thought to be for children, but they are adult friendly too. You'll need to get a medium to large sized group of friends together for this one. If your group is on the larger side, you may want to split up into teams.

The "host" of the hunt will need to decide a list of ten or so things to find. They don't have to be related to one another. They can be something simple like a napkin from a certain fast food restaurant or something more complex like a picture of a random person dressed in a cowboy hat. Just be creative.

Set down some guidelines such as a place to meet when you're done as well as a time limit. You should also offer a prize to the person or team who finishes first or finds the most items.

Just be creative and have fun!

Entertainment On a Budget #3

A picnic is another good inexpensive activity. You and your guests can bring simple foods along. All you need is a basket, a blanket, and the food. None of these things have to be elaborate. You can do it all very simple. Just make sure the blanket is large enough to fit everyone. Finding a spot can be fun too--a park, a field, near a lake or beach, or you can have it in your own back yard. If it's too cold to be outside, you can clear some space on the floor in your room.

Picnicing affords you with a quiet atmosphere where you and your guests can talk while not breaking the bank.

Entertainment On a Budget #1

State Parks and National Recreation Areas

At first this may sound boring, but one of my favorite things to do in my area is visit Land Between the Lakes. It's a national recreation area that has lots of fun things to do. There's a planetarium, shooting range, nature station, 1800s homeplace reenactment, and a buffalo and elk range. Of course, you won't find something exactly like this, but check around in your area for something similar. These places are usually inexpensive or--sometimes--free. You can spend the day roaming around the area enjoying nature's best.

Entertainment On a Budget

Being a college student, money isn't free flowing in my wallet. There are more bills and expenses than when I was in high school, so I'm always looking for things to do that are free or relatively inexpensive. Through my own experience and the internet, I've managed to come up with quite a few activities that won't break your pocket book. Check back for the first entertainment idea.