LaborPress | Kerri O’Brien | December 7, 2025
Life isn’t just about paying bills — it’s also about joy, connection, and making memories. The good news is, you don’t need a huge budget to have a rich family life. Especially for union families working hard to stretch every dollar, “fun” can’t always mean pricey tickets and big trips. But it can mean being intentional, creative, and using the resources already around you.
Think about entertainment in a new way: How can we maximize fun, not cost? When you shift your thinking from “What can we buy?” to “What can we experience together?”, you open up a whole world of affordable options.
Step One: Plan Fun Like You Plan Bills
Most families plan out which bills get paid and when. Do the same with fun.
- At the start of each month, spend 10–15 minutes as a family looking up free or low-cost events.
- Check:
- Your union’s website, newsletter, and social pages
- City or town parks and recreation pages
- Local libraries and community centers
- School district calendars and local colleges
Write the best options on a calendar or whiteboard. When everyone sees fun coming up, it gives the family something to look forward to—without the financial hangover.
Outdoor Fun That Doesn’t Break the Bank
Fresh air is free, and a lot of communities have incredible outdoor spaces that cost nothing or very little:
- Neighborhood walks & holiday lights
Take an evening walk to look at holiday decorations or seasonal lights. Turn it into a scavenger hunt (“Find a snowman, red wreath, or inflatable reindeer”) and maybe bring a thermos of hot cocoa from home. - Parks, playgrounds, and trails
Even in colder months, short visits to local parks can be energizing. Try:- A family “step challenge” for the week
- Obstacle courses made from playground equipment
- Simple nature walks where kids collect leaves, stones, or pinecones
- Low-cost seasonal activities
- Ice skating on community rinks with discounted hours
- Sledding on local hills
- Free outdoor concerts or movies in warmer months
These activities cost little more than transportation and snacks, but the memories can last for years.
Educational Fun: Learning Without the Price Tag
Educational doesn’t have to mean boring—or expensive.
- Libraries as “fun hubs”
Libraries often offer:- Free story hours and craft workshops
- Movie afternoons
- Homework help and tutoring sessions
- Free or discounted passes to local museums, zoos, and theaters
Ask your librarian what family programs are available—they’re often underused and perfect for union families looking to stretch a budget.
- Museums and cultural centers
Look for:- “Pay what you wish” days
- Free neighborhood nights
- Union or worker appreciation events
- Discounted tickets for kids, students, seniors, or local residents
Make it a tradition: one educational outing per month. Bring snacks from home, set a small souvenir budget (or skip it entirely), and focus on the experience.
Community Events: Your Built-In Social Network
Union families are already part of strong communities. You can often tap into that for affordable fun.
- Union-hosted events
Many unions sponsor:- Family days or picnics
- Holiday parties
- Educational seminars with meals or refreshments
- Sports outings, ballgames, or amusement parks with group discounts
Stay plugged into your union communications and sign up early when events are announced—they often fill fast.
- Faith-based and community organizations
Churches, mosques, synagogues, and community organizations often host:- Game nights
- Youth groups
- Seasonal fairs and festivals
- Volunteer days (which can also be meaningful family time)
Volunteering together—packing food boxes, cleaning up a park, helping at a charity event—can be a powerful, no-cost way to spend time while teaching kids about giving back.
At-Home Fun: Turning Your Living Room into a Fun Zone
Not every big memory needs to happen “out there.” Some of the best times happen right at home.
- Family game night
Rotate who picks the game. Use card decks, board games, or free printable games. Add simple prizes: winner picks the next movie, dessert, or weekend activity. - Movie nights in
Instead of paying theater prices, try:- Renting a low-cost movie or using a streaming service you already have
- Making “concession stand” popcorn and snacks at home
- Letting kids design homemade tickets and posters
- Theme nights
Pick a country, sport, or decade. Build a night around it:- Music playlists
- Simple recipes
- Quick internet searches for fun facts
- A short documentary or family-friendly video
It turns an ordinary evening into something special with minimal cost.
Make Fun Part of Your Financial Wellness Plan
Financial wellness isn’t just about cutting back—it’s about spending on what truly matters. Building regular, low-cost fun into your life helps:
- Reduce stress for the whole family
- Strengthen relationships and communication
- Teach kids that joy doesn’t depend on money
This month, challenge your family to swap one expensive outing for two or three low-cost ones. You may find that the simplest moments—walking under holiday lights, laughing over a board game, or exploring a free museum—become the stories your family tells for years.
And as part of our December Financial Wellness series, we’ll keep sharing ideas for low-cost family fun, helping you build a year full of memories that doesn’t get wiped out by a single pricey weekend.
