No-cost activities like playing on tire swings and jungle gyms are just a couple of things that not only encourage kids to exercise but also won’t increase the family deficit. With all the headlines being about balancing budgets – here are five old fashioned ideas that will keep your family in the black.

1.    Red Light Green Light – It stands a good distance off from the rest of the kids, with their back. It calls, “Green Light!” and the children run toward them until they say, “Red Light”. It turns around and tries to catch anyone who is moving. If they see someone moving, they must go back to the start line. Play continues until someone runs up and tags It.

2.    Red Rover Red Rover – Kids line up in two lines, each line holding hands and facing the other. The two lines should be some distance apart for running back and forth. The first line chooses a runner from the other line to call, saying “Red Rover, Red Rover, Let [chosen child] come over.” That child runs to the other line, trying to break through the hands of two children. If the runner breaks through, he chooses someone from that line and takes them back to his line. If he doesn’t break through, he joins that line. The game ends when all children are in one line.

3.    Hula Hoop Contest – Great for a small group of children. Play music to make it more fun. At the ‘Go’ signal, players begin ‘hula hooping’ as long as they can. If the hula hoop drops or players touch it with their hands, they’re out!

4.    Outdoor Scavenger Hunt - Give players or teams the printed list of nature items to find. The first player or team to report back with all of their items wins the prize.

5.    Jump Rope Relay Race – Form two teams and set the boundaries of the race. At the ‘Go’ signal, the first two players race to the goal and back, jumping rope. The next player goes, and so on, until the winning team is declared.

Families that have fallen into the trap of high budget fun are forgetting that a family is about spending time together, not about spending money together. What you kids what from you the most is your time. By spending time pushing them on tire swings and playing outdoor games – you’re not only saving money, you’re investing in a strong relationship with your kids. Invest in your family’s future and decrease the family deficit with time together in the backyard.