Budget-Friendly Activities

By Kaitlyn Szabo • April 20, 2018

There is plenty of fun to be had right in our backyards or not too far down the road. Here are some ideas for how to enjoy yourself while staying within your budget.
Get Outside! Local Parks and Outdoor Activities
Once the snow (finally) melts, get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine with these activities.

• Take a walk to your local park and have a picnic. Make it extra fun by trying a new recipe!

Enjoy a “staycation” by visiting a town in Minnesota you’ve never been. Explore Minnesota offers a list of 18 attractions that are free for visitors.
Take Advantage of your Local Library
Although books are pretty awesome, libraries offer so much more for you to “check out.”

• Participate in classes or programs, such as summer reading challenges for adults and children
• Reserve free and/or discounted admission to a wide range of arts experiences through smARTpass (available for Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County libraries, or the Saint Paul Public library)
• Check out ebooks, digital magazines, and/or movies remotely. When these items are due, they will be automatically removed from your device(s). Perfect for snow days in… April. It’s April, right?

Kid-Friendly Options for the Summer
While it is great to finally have warmer weather on the horizons, it is a little daunting to think about entertaining children once school is out. Here are some free or discounted ways to have fun this summer!

• Many local bowling alleys offer kids 2 free games daily in the summer.
• Home Depot hosts workshops on Saturdays, suitable for ages 5 to 12.
• Some movie theaters offer free and/or discounted tickets for kids and their parents, including Regal Cinemas, Paragon Theaters, AMC Summer Camp, and Emagine Kids Summer Film Series.

Resource: Family Fun Twin Cities
If all the above isn’t enough to keep you entertained, Family Fun Twin Cities can help you out! It offers a comprehensive events calendar of things to do throughout the state, with a focus on the metro area. Here are all the events listed for April and May.
Money Management E-Newsletter: April 2018