As summer approaches, it is time to begin thinking of activities to do with your children and family. Family vacations and entertainment can get quite expensive, but you don’t have to plan a trip to the beach or a long trip to find things to do. Here are a few suggestions of how to find local budget friendly entertainment.
Local Library
Your local library can be such a great source for so many things – including activities for you and your children to do. Stop by your library or check their website for a monthly calendar of events that may include things like reading programs, game nights, exhibits, and more.
Did you know there are over 25 libraries located in Dallas? No joke! There is bound to be one that is close to you. If you live in another larger town with more than one library branch, make sure to check with all of the branches as some may have different activities than others. Chances are any library activities will be free of charge and will give your family something to do without impacting your budget.
History Tour
Challenge yourself and your children to learn more about your Dallas’ history. You could check for books at the local library, do some research online, or even look for a “Historical Society” or “Memories of Your Town” group on Facebook. Make it a research project of sorts as you jot down historical sites that interest you and your family. Then pack a lunch and plan a day of driving around and creating your own history tour of your own town. Not only will it be an inexpensive and fun activity, but you’ll also develop a deeper appreciation for the history of your town.
If you’re like me, you’d rather have someone do all that planning for you instead of doing all of your own research. Preservation Dallas offers free tours of the Wilson House from 10am-4pm any day Tuesday through Thursday. If you want to explore more of the area, here is a free self guided walking tour of the Wilson Block Historic District.
Don’t mind paying a small fee for tours in Dallas? Check out Dallas City Tours. They offer JFK Tours, Nightlife Tours and a few walking tours.
Free Museum and Park Days
Many museums and state parks will have free or discounted admissions at random times throughout the year. On a free or discounted museum day, you could plan a picnic lunch, an inexpensive dinner afterward, and have nearly a full family day of very budget friendly activities and fun. Make sure to sign up for the email newsletter of your favorite locations so that you can stay in the know of these types of events.
I recommend checking out the Perot Museum and the Dallas Arboretum for discount days. Klyde Warren Park is always free and has is always having fun events and free activities for all ages.
Take a Hike
Look for local trails and outdoor areas that your family hasn’t visited yet. Even if it is exploring the wooded areas around your home, or looking for a creek in a nature park nearby, getting outside with your family is a fun and healthy activity that is usually completely free.
Make it fun for younger children by creating a scavenger hunt of sorts to look for different leaves, rocks, or insects. Pack a lunch to sit outside together and enjoy an entire day as a family. Getting outside is good for your body and soul and doing it with your family is a great way to have something fun and budget friendly to do together.
Need recommendations?
Local Theater and Music
Does your town have a local theater group? Local open mic night or other music events? Even small towns often have these activities that can be very enjoyable and very inexpensive to attend!
Head over to your local theater and grab a schedule of upcoming performances. Check with local restaurants to find out if they ever have live entertainment or open mic nights. Or even better, audition for a play as a family or sign up to sing at open mic! Getting involved in the local theater and arts, even if only as a patron, is a great way to involve your children in the local culture and to help them explore talents they may not know they have.
Other great resources and articles:
- Free things to do in Dallas
- Relaxing things to do in Dallas
- Free and cheap Dallas date ideas
- Things to do with kids in Dallas
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