9 frugal fun Activties for Kids

(Christof Koepsel, Getty Images News )
Reported by: Sara Noel
Email: sara@frugalvillage.com

Families are redefining fun. Many are staying home more often. Some are canceling summer camps, too. That leaves a lot of hours to fill to combat boredom. Your community offers many free activities. You can often find where to go and what to do on the bulletin board at your local library, by calling your chamber of commerce or in your newspaper. While independent play fosters creativity and confidence, you'll still have to plan some activities, or kids might start climbing the walls. Many old-fashioned activities and outdoor games are making a comeback, but with a fresh twist. They're homemade and often with materials you already have at home. Coincidentally, they're frugal, too. What types of frugal activities have you done?Here are a few fun ideas.

SENSORY BAG: You can make a sensory bag that kids (and you) will love to squish. You'll need a plastic zip-closure baggie, hair gel, craft foamies, glitter and clear Contac paper. Fill the bag with the craft supplies and gel. Seal the bag closed and then sandwich the bag between two pieces of Contac paper. This will prevent leaking.

SHAVING PAINT: You can also combine non-gel shaving cream with a couple of drops of food coloring. Let your child use construction paper, a sliding glass door, a section of foil, a cookie sheet or just sit in a tub for finger-foam fun. Easy to clean from household surfaces. Simply rinse with water. Puffy paint can be made from shaving cream, too. Use equal parts glue and shaving cream. Add a couple of drops of food coloring or tempera paint for color. Use a paintbrush and paint onto construction paper.

SIDEWALK PAINT: You'll need 1/4 cup of cornstarch, 1/2 cup water and food coloring. Combine the cornstarch and water. Using a small container, mix until smooth. Add a few drops of food coloring. You can make a few batches of different colors. Kids can use paintbrushes, foam paint rollers or sponges to paint the sidewalk.

WINDOW PAINT: Mix together equal parts dishwashing liquid and washable liquid paint or powdered tempera. Mix until it's a creamy consistency. Use paintbrushes. Easy to clean from windows with a moist paper towel, too.

FLUBBER: This makes oozing, gooey, cold and wet play goop.
2-1/3 cups warm waterfood coloring, optional2 cups Elmer's school glue3 tablespoons borax
In one container, mix 2 cups warm water, food coloring and glue. Stir until glue has dissolved. In a separate container, combine 1/3 cup warm water and borax. Stir until borax has dissolved. Add borax solution to glue mixture, and mix with hands for about 5 minutes. Pour out extra water. Let sit for a few minutes on a tray before playing. Store in airtight container.

TABLE-TENNIS FUN: Two or more people sit on either side of a table or kneel if it's a lower table. Each person blows the ping-pong ball and tries to get it to fall off the table.

BAGGIE ICE CREAM: This recipe makes a delicious anytime treat.
1 gallon-size zipper-type bagcrushed ice6 tablespoons rock salt1 cup liquid half-and-half1/2 teaspoon vanilla2 tablespoons sugar1 pint-size plastic zipper-type bag
Fill the large bag halfway with crushed ice. Add rock salt. In the small bag, add half-and-half, vanilla and sugar. Seal bag. Place the small bag in the large bag. Seal it. Shake for up to 7 minutes until it is ice cream.

POOL NOODLES: Not just for swimming pools. Drag them out of storage. Visit your local library, and find the book "50 Ways to Use Your Noodle" by Chris Cavert and Sam Sikes. It offers hours of ideas for fun.

CAT'S CRADLE: All you need is some yarn or string. Don't remember how to do string games? Directions can be found at www.ifyoulovetoread.com/book/chten_cats1105.htm, or look for the book "Cat's Cradle: A Book of String Games" by Camilla Gryski.

Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage.com), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or e-mail sara@frugalvillage.com.

12 tips for budgeting like a pro, at home

(Cate Gillon, Getty Images News)
12 tips for budgeting like a pro, at home

Reported by: Sara Noel
Are you making a new budget? Now is a good time to start fresh and buckle down on your spending. Look over last year's numbers. Decide what worked and what didn't. Renew any frugal strategies that may have gone by the wayside, too. Refocus your frugal objectives, and identify wasteful areas by tracking your spending. Set monthly goals, such as completing projects or learning new skills. Make this year better than last.

Angela in Virginia writes: "We're cutting back on several extras this year, but some areas in which we've become lax and need to tighten back up would be:

NOT USING THE DRYER SO MUCH: I do have to use it at times during the winter because it's so rainy, but I have started throwing them in even when I could hang them out just because I'm lazy.

USING UP LEFTOVERS AND HAVING A PLAN FOR THEM: Too much food is being wasted and forgotten instead of used up or stored in the freezer for later.

GETTING THE ELECTRIC USAGE BACK DOWN: Part of this is my overuse of the dryer and hot water."Take a look at the following additional small leaks.

GIFTS: As a sanity saver, plan on any gifts now for the upcoming year. Waiting until the last minute is stressful, often causes overspending and decreases your frugal options. Start making any homemade gifts that you can. Say no to all the little extras that you think make a gift complete. It doesn't have to have fancy wrapping and bows. It doesn't need to look like it cost more by including add-ons. Many people are avoiding extravagance this year. Toning it down won't seem cheap.

EATING OUT: Set limits if you want to trim expenses. Check out cookbooks from the library to learn to copy the restaurant foods or snacks you enjoy. Work on building your pantry stockpile of staples that are bought when on sale. Visit http://www.frugalvillage.com/ to view a photo gallery with hundreds of photos of stocked pantries to gain inspiration. Grab a calendar, and start planning your meals.

PLAN A GARDEN: It can be as simple as ordering seeds or planning where you might plant. If it's your first garden, start small. You can organize your garden plans with a garden journal. Visit http://www.homesteadgarden.com/ for a printable example you can put into a binder.

USE IT UP: Whether it's hobby supplies or food, use up what you already have before buying more.

AVOID FEES: Return borrowed items such as movie rentals or library books on time. Work on timely bill paying, too. Set them on auto pay if you can.

BUY USED: Start looking to secondhand markets to buy the things you need. You can find just about anything. Wear things out before buying brand-new. Think it's worn out? It might serve a second useful purpose.

CUT DOWN ON PLASTIC USE: Look for long-term reusable glass containers. Remember the old refrigerator glass dishes? They're making a comeback and for good reason. Say no to disposable containers when possible, such as using refillable cleaning products if you don't make your own. Do your homework on which refillable products are cost-effective. Bring your own canvas bag when shopping, too.

CURB IMPULSE BUYING: Create a wish list, and delay spending. Share your wish list with others. You can create wish lists online at Web sites such as Amazon.com, Kaboodle.com, Wishlist.com and ThethingsIwant.com.

DRINK WATER: Make an effort to drink more water and fewer alternative beverages such as fountain drinks, alcohol or coffee. While you're at it, a little extra fitness wouldn't hurt.

Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (http://www.frugalvillage.com/), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or e-mail sara@frugalvillage.com.