In this day and age, when many adults can barely afford to take care of themselves, providing a comfortable life for children can seem overwhelming. And most parents don’t want to simply provide for their little ones; they want to ensure they have countless, precious memories from childhood that they can look back on for the rest of their lives.
So if you’re a parent who wants to bring your kiddos magical experiences without breaking the bank, we’ve got the perfect list for you. Frugal moms and dads on Reddit have recently been sharing their favorite budget-friendly ways to treat their kids, so we’ve gathered their best tips below. Keep reading to find a conversation with Melissa Vera of Adventures of Frugal Mom, and be sure to upvote the ideas that your little ones would love!
#21
if there is an ikea near you it’s always fun to visit and the soft serve is cheap
Report
26points
#22
I took my eclectic teenager thrift shopping on Melrose Ave and Hollywood Boulevard. We didn’t get much, but they loved the shops!
24points
#23
This sounds nutty, depends on the age, but my son and I like to venture to thrift stores. He’s 3.5 and those old run down toys that cost $1 are his favorite. I enjoy watching him walk through aisles trying to find some new things
24points
#24
Don’t count out the simple evening of a walk through your local park and bringing some sandwiches, snacks and a towel or blanket for a small picnic. Can also bring a frisbee or card games etc to play. If you are in a colder climate my parents used to sometimes just have us go to $5 and below and pick out a new board game or something and we would stay home and play the new game and watch a movie etc. Unfortunately as far as things to do like laser tag, go karts etc are pretty pricey now but always keep an eye out for promotions for them because there can be some great deals!
23points
#25
Buy a bag of lollipops and only give them out on special occasions. It's not what you do, it's the feeling of being treated to something special
22points
#26
My dad used to surprise me with ice water from a gas station or drive thru when he'd pick me up from daycare. I really thought it was a special treat for a long time.
Report
21points
#27
Go to an interesting market or grocery store by you and pick out some interesting things to try. I'm lucky because I have numerous Asian, Mexican, Polish, Turkish and other markets all in fairly close proximity to me, and my daughters love picking out new things to try.
Also, try a local coffee shop. The quality is usually far superior to Starbucks. Could be more expensive though, depending on your area.
19points
#28
Wendy’s has an end of the year deal where you can buy a pass for $1 that gets you free jr Frostys all year round, no purchase necessary! Look for it next month.
17points
#29
Getting a Fuji instax camera and taking a photo every time you make a memory ends up being really cost effective in the end (can be as low as $.50 a shot). The cameras are easy to find used and relatively foolproof to use!
16points
#30
Highly recommend fast food apps the deals they have buy 1 get 1, free fries Friday, etc are real winners.
14points
