Boredom busters that won't bust budgets

Boredom busters that won't bust budgets
McClatchy/Tribune
February 22, 2009
McClatchy/Tribune

Financial times are tough—but kids still want (and need) to have fun. Here, how to keep them entertained without breaking the bank. Jenna McCarthy, author of "The Parent Trip," offers some suggestions:

• Recycle your kids' own toys. Periodically go through their toys and pull out some you haven't seen them play with recently. Stash in the garage or attic and pull out as needed. Often they won't even remember they owned the toy in the first place—and even if they do, the "new again" toy is guaranteed to be an instant favorite.

• Rediscover the library. It's free. It's climate-controlled. It employs a person whose sole responsibility seems to be shushing your kids. Make it a standing (did I mention free?) weekly appointment!

• Organize a book/toy swap. It's simple: For every toy or book you bring, you get a coupon or ticket for another in exchange. Any extra or unwanted goods can be donated to charity. You can even post your swap (for free, of course) on Craigslist, like a garage sale.

• Put them to work. No, really. Instead of spending $30 to have the car detailed or $100 having the house windows washed, have a car-cleaning or window-washing party. The key is to call it a "party," and maybe have cookies or another reward for a job well done. It's all in the way you market it; done properly ("Let's see who can get their mat the cleanest!"), kids will really get into it.

• Get crafty. Homemade goodies are a double win: The process keeps kids busy for hours, and at the end you've got a pile of (inexpensive) gifts. Bake several batches of cookies or peanut brittle, and let the kids wrap them into bundles for teachers, neighbors, mail carriers, grandparents and more.

• Buy wisely. Consider a toy's long-term entertainment potential before forking over money. A $10 DVD may get watched dozens of times—a substantial savings over hauling the entire family to a single movie for $50 (when you factor in snacks).

Invest in a few games, stacking or building toys or learning systems (such as Leapsters) that can be used over and over for hours of thrifty fun.