It IS possible to have fun without spending a fortune!
Whenever you think of taking up a new hobby, how often does that activity come with a cost? Scrapbooking requires a ton of paper based paraphernalia. Photography requires a camera and if you ever intend to look at the pictures, the ability to print some. Skiing, skating and other sports? All require equipment and other costs.
Taking up a hobby as a family can be even more expensive, but there are some great options for you, or for all of your family, that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, but will still bring the fun for everyone.
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Get into words
Why not take the time and do some reading? A library card is free and you can access thousands of volumes that will transport you to another world without leaving your sofa. Taking the time to sit down, relax and read a book is good for stress levels too.
Before you worry that reading is too solitary an activity, what about starting your very own book club? You can get together with friends and discuss your choices, making a fun evening out of it. Can you say potluck, anyone? Or you can get your family together and all read different books while snuggling together under blankets with hot chocolate. Family game night could take a new twist when you get your children to act out a scene from a book and you have to guess what it is!
And if you haven’t found the books you want to read, why don’t you write one? Writing is an excellent hobby that fosters so many skills and expands your mind and imagination. Are you the next J.K. Rowling? How will you know if you don’t give it a try? Whether writing a novel or your own journal, writing is a cathartic hobby worth trying.
Take a few steps
Hiking, that is! This is a low tech, no equipment type of activity that you can do in your local park just just as well as in a forest far from home.
Urban hiking is the latest thing, with your feet taking you around town and visiting places you’ve never been to, in your own backyard. Odds are that your city has some walking trails, park trail systems, or other lovely natural areas to explore, so winter or spring, out you go! Take a sightseeing trip on foot, and you’ll really take it all in!
Some other great options?
- Take up running. You can run by yourself, with your family, or join a running club to keep your motivation up!
- How about yoga? It will limber your up while relaxing you too.
Share your time
One of the most rewarding hobbies is to share your time with others. Volunteering is an excellent way to spend your free time and better still if you can do it as a family.
Whether you are working with an existing charity or organization, or you decide to create your own ways of giving back, you will feel the rewards of the effort. If you would like engage in volunteer work or on a project on behalf of an organization but don’t know where to to start, check out WE.org – they have a lot of ideas on how families can get together and do some good.
Crafting fun
If you prefer your hobby to be handy, you can do so much crafting without spending a lot of money. Take up knitting or crocheting, for example. Wool and some needles won’t break the bank and you can even find some great videos online to teach you how to knit, stitch and purl your way to relaxation.
Have you ever thought about origami? The ancient art of Japanese paper folding is creative and easy to take up. Or how about letter writing? In this fast paced, digital world, there’s nothing more satisfying than receiving an actual letter. Find yourself a penpal with similar interests to yours and start chatting the old fashioned way. All it will cost you is a stamp.
However you hobby, having interests and activities beyond the every day of work and sleep will keep you refreshed, lower your stress and can provide excellent bonding opportunities for your family. Memories in the making! Do you have a favourite low-budget hobby that you’d care to share with us?
Jenn says
These are excellent ideas. I love the hiking idea. As a kid, I hated going hiking with my mom maybe because we didn’t go often and i found it boring, but now I love it. I think it would be a great way to introduce such a simple but healthy activity to the young ones.
Marie G. says
I’ve always tried to find hobbies that pay for themselves. It’s much easier on the budget that way. Thanks for sharing!
Jessica W. says
Checking out local parks in the city is one of my favorite family time activities. And it’s very budget friendly.
AD says
We spend a lot of time outdoors, hiking and camping. I teach survival techniques and part of that is finding food; we often fish and forage for food (through out hikes and camping trips) and come back with tons of wild vegetables and mushrooms. Saves us tons of money and provides us with delicious food.
Mother of 3 says
We do enjoy hiking and we stop at our library a couple of times a week. We also enjoy playing card games together and swimming (when it’s not winter).
Kristi F says
I really like the reading ideas. My local library has all types of programs for adults and kids included as long as you have a library card. It’s so affordable.
Debbie WhiteBeattie says
Hobbies are a great way to be creative and it’s a great way to get the kids off the technology plus it’s fun to try new things. The only problem is hobbies cost money and sometimes they can cost lots of money.
homeia says
This is something the whole family can enjoy!
Tammi L. says
My husband just retired and I’m struggling trying to find something he enjoys… he doesn’t like to read, do crafts, has a bad back and feet so can’t do any walking or the like, hates pools and swimming – and to be honest, I have to find him something soon or I, oops, I mean he, will go nuts. 😉
Calvin says
Being broke doesn’t mean you can’t have hobbies, I agree, also don’t have to become broke maintaining a hobby, these are fantastic.