These days even watching T.V. costs a decent amount of money with cable or satellite costing $50 a month or more. However, there are numerous free entertainment options to keep you busy.
Here’s some suggestions:
1. Free museums. Many museums have free days, and some museums are always free. Call around to the museums in your area and ask. Some also sponsor free outings to local points of interest.
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2. Read. The library is a great source of free books. Yard sales, flea markets and book sales are great sources of very cheap books. Websites such as PaperbackSwap.com allow users to trade books just for the cost of postage.
3. Movies. Yes, I said movies. Some community groups, libraries and museums show free movies. Some libraries lend DVD’s.
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4. Take the kids to the community playground. You don’t have to go to a restaurant with a playground or a pay-to-play indoor park. Many communities have nice playgrounds that are free.
6. Ride a bike.
7. Go for a walk in your neighborhood. If you go alone, it gives you some quiet time. Go with friends or family and it’s a chance to connect while getting some exercise.
8. Get some friends together for a pick up baseball, basketball, football, tennis, frisbee, or soccer game. Many communities have sports facilities that can be used by the general public when not in use for league play.
9. Live music. Some community groups and museums offer free concerts and some up and coming bands play for free at local bars and clubs.
10. Local theater. Some community players offer free performances to test a program before launching it on a paying audience. High schools and universities are also good sources of free theater.
11. Lectures. If you live near a university, free lectures are always offered on a variety of topics. Even without a university, many communities feature appearances by authors, actors, and others.
16. City. Many communities offer tours for new residents or visitors. Most are free. Tag along and you might learn something new about your area.
17. Art galleries. Many offer free showings.
18. The library. In addition to being a source of free books, most host free children’s programs and adult workshops on a variety of topics. Check their schedule for more information. Also, they have free magazines and newspapers.
19. Craft events. Many craft sorts such as Michaels or AC Moore offer free classes and projects for both kids and adults.
20. The local bookstore. Many offer readings by authors or open mic nights for poetry or short fiction readings. Some offer story times for kids. You can also read magazines and books without making a purchase, although this privilege shouldn’t be abused.
21. Community festivals. Many communities have festivals such as spring flings, agricultural celebrations, music festivals, craft showcases, or celebrations of local heritage. Most are free to attend.
22. Church. If you’re religious, church can be a great source of free activities such as outings, exercise classes, crafts, and book groups.
23. Board games, cards, and puzzles. These are inexpensive ways to pass an evening as a family. You can find lots of used games at yard sales and thrift stores, or maybe someone in your family has some that they are looking to get rid of. Even purchased new, these are inexpensive compared to the amount of entertainment you get out of them.
24. Public gardens. Most communities have public gardens where you can walk amongst the flowers and trees. Particularly stunning in spring.
25. Business tours. Some large companies offer free tours of their facilities, which can be interesting and might end with a free sample of the company’s products.
26. Minor league, college, or high school sporting events. These aren’t usually free (although some low profile college or high school sports offer free admission), but the cost is nothing when compared to major league sports.
27. Join a club. There are many clubs dedicated to all kinds of interests. Most offer free membership or nominal dues to cover operating expenses. Book clubs, Red Hat’s for senior women, clubs for people with or without kids, game clubs, sporting clubs, business clubs, are just a few examples.
28. Listen to podcasts. There are tons of good podcasts available for free. Some are funny, some are educational, and some are political. There are topics for every interest. Some are available on iTunes for free and others can be downloaded directly from websites that interest you.
29. Don’t overlook the obvious attractions of your area. If you live near the mountains, you’ve got winter fun all sewn up — sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, etc. Same if you live near the coast — you’ve got fishing, beach trips, shell collecting and sandcastle building. Sometimes when you live near a natural haven for entertainment, it’s easy to forget what you have at your disposal.
30. Go to the mall. No, not to shop (and be certain you can resist the temptation before you go or this tip’s worthless). Malls sometimes offer performances by school musical groups, they likely have a free indoor play area for rainy days, or you might see a fashion show. During holiday periods, you can visit Santa or the Easter Bunny. Some stores, like the Apple Store, offer free classes and instruction on their products. It’s a good place to walk if the weather is bad and people watching is always entertaining.
31. The local arts center. Many communities have an arts center that hosts art exhibitions, offers art, dance or other classes, and has activities for kids. The offerings are usually ever changing and free or inexpensive.
32. The senior center. If you’re age appropriate, many areas have a senior center that offers free classes, outings, and activities just for your age group.
33. Know what you’ve already paid for. If you live in an apartment complex or housing development, you may have access to a recreation center with exercise equipment, games, game tables, movies, or areas in which you can host gatherings that your rent/dues pays for. Your development may also offer special activities such as pool parties or cookouts that are open to all residents. Make sure you keep abreast of any offerings that you’re already paying for and get the most out of them.
34. Volunteer for something you find fun. Maybe you can volunteer as an usher at a theater and see the performance for free. Maybe you can volunteer at the senior center and play cards with other people. Maybe you can volunteer at the library and see the new books before anyone else. Whatever you find fun can probably be turned into a volunteer activity.
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