Parenting Archives - Sweet Frugal Life

Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

Sweet Frugal Life — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 04:35:35 +0000

Budget Friendly Teen Girl Gift Ideas.

Are you needing a gift, maybe a Christmas present or a birthday present, for the teen girl in your life? Are you on a budget and don’t want to overspend? Well you have come to the right place! I have researched all of the best gift ideas for teen girls! And, everything is under $25, so you can stick to that budget! Here are some of the best gift ideas for teen girls.

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Gifts for Fun

Help your teen have some fun! These gifts are great for helping teens to get their minds off the stress of school by having fun with their friends or family.

Karaoke Microphone

This Karaoke Microphone would be so fun for a teen girl party or for anyone who loves to sing! It is compatible with both android and iOS and only costs $29.99!

Sale

BONAOK Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone,3-in-1 Portable Handheld Karaoke Mic Speaker Machine Home Party Birthday for All Smartphones PC(Q37 Rose Gold)

PARTICULAR DESIGN: The excellent design of karaoke microphones is very suitable for your hand, which let you feel more comfortable. And the built-in high-quality Bluetooth module can be used as a wireless speaker, mp3 player, and recorder, compatible with various singing applications

Coloring Books

Maybe you are shopping for a teen girl that loves art. Coloring can be such a fun way to relax. I loved the inspirational sayings in this coloring book and think they are perfect for teens! It’s a great deal at just $6.99.

An Inspirational Colouring Book For Everyone: Be Fearless In The Pursuit Of What Sets Your Soul On Fire

Papeterie Bleu (Author)
English (Publication Language)
108 Pages – 04/25/2017 (Publication Date) – Gray & Gold Publishing (Publisher)

Phone Tripod

Let’s face it, teens love to take pictures! This phone tripod looks so fun for setting up cute group photos or selfies. It is currently only $16.16!

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UBeesize Flexible Mini Phone Tripod, Portable and Adjustable Camera Stand Holder with Wireless Remote and Universal Clip, Compatible with Cellphones, Sports Cameras

2024 Upgraded: This cell phone tripod is upgraded in 2024 with stronger material for peerless durability, the defect rate is down more than 80% from this year. And your purchase is guaranteed by UBeesize lifetime service.

Silicone Suction Phone Case Grip

If you are shopping for a teen girl with a phone, she will probably enjoy this Silicone Phone Case Grip. Teens love these silicone grips for sticking their phones to mirrors, their desks, mirrors, etc. They are very affordable and come in a multitude of colors!

OCTOBUDDY – Silicone Suction Phone Case Adhesive Mount – Hands-Free, Strong Grip Holder for Selfies and Videos – Durable, Easy to Use – iPhone and Android Compatible – 2.25″ x 3.25″, Chalk Pink

A revolution in content creation: 24 suction cups grip mirrors, windows, and any smooth surface for steady, hands-free video and selfies with your iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, HTC, Note, and more

Teen Girl Gifts For Accessorizing

Help teens accessories their outfits for the perfect daily fit check! These teen girl gift ideas are perfect to make any outfit stand out!

Beanie

Beanies with a pom at the end are all the rage right now with teen girls. Plus, we can never have enough cute beanies during these cold winter months! These darling beanies are a great price and so cute!

PAGE ONE Womens Winter Thick Cable Knit Beanie Faux Fur Pom Hat Fleece Lined Skull Cap Oatmeal

Material: The beanie hat is made of 100% soft acrylic.
SIZE: One size fits most. Our womens beanie hats are made up of premium acrylic yarn that provides excellent elasticity. Stretche it to fit most people. You can easily get a proper fit after stretching.

Hair Bows

I am so in love with the bow trend happening right now! They make everything so pretty and feminine! Your teen girl just might love these satin hair bows. They really make the prettiest hair accessory and a great gift idea for teen girls under $25!

Sale

ATODEN Silky Satin Hair Bows 2Pcs Big Hair Bows for Women Hair Ribbons Oversized Long Tail White Hair Bow Black Hair Bow Large Hair Ribbon Barrettes Metal Clips Bowknot Aesthetic Hair Accessories

Silky Satin Hair Bows: Made of satin material and metal clamps. Silky and soft touch. 2 colors available, including black and beige. Lovely design can make you more eye-catching, elegant and charming.

Belt Bag

Almost all of the teen girls I know right now are wearing these darling belt bags! They love having a different one in all the colors! It makes for the perfect frugal gift for teens!

ODODOS Unisex Mini Belt Bag with Adjustable Strap Small Fanny Pack for Workout Running Traveling Hiking, Light Pink

Versatile Style: Adjustable Strap allow you to wear this belt bag in a variety of ways. It can be carried as cross bag, shoulder bag, waist bag or handbag. It’s all up to you.
Functional: Our mini waist bag is lightweight and easy to carry, roomy for phone, wallet, passport, keys, ID and other small items, provide great convenience for you.

Teen Girl Gift Ideas For Beauty

You really can’t go wrong when gifting beauty gifts for teen girls. Here are a few trending items right now you can buy for teens when on a budget.

Bath Bombs

This set of bath bombs comes with 6 different scents and colors. It’s a fun “luxury” gift for your teen, especially if they love to take baths. The entire set is less than $10!

Sale

Bath Bombs Gift Set – 6 XXL Bubble Bath Fizzies (4.1 oz Each) with Natural Dead Sea Salt Cocoa and Shea Essential Oils – Best Gift Idea for Birthday, Mom, Woman, Girl, Him, Kids

DEEP RELAXATION: Bellisso’s set of six bath bombs for women are the self care products you’ve been looking for; Sink into a deeply relaxing state with our bath products and let the effervescent fizz of these individually wrapped bath bombs melt your stress away

Makeup Mirror

This Tabletop Makeup Mirror is a perfect gift for teen girls. Plus, you know it will be good because the reviews are mostly all positive!

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WEILY Makeup Mirror with 21 LED Lights,Two Power Supply Modes, Adjustable Touch Screen and 1x/2x/3x Magnification Tri-Fold Vanity Mirror,Chargeable Travel Cosmetic Mirror for Desktop (Black)

With 2X and 3X Magnification Design: There are 2 magnifying glass plates (magnification 2x/3x), when you need fine makeup details (such as eyeliner, mascara and contact lenses), the high-definition mirror is very clear, you can see the face For every detail, so that you can enjoy meticulous makeup.

Lip Mask

These lip masks from Laneige are all the rage right now! They last forever and have done wonders for my lips! It’s a fun luxury beauty product for teens below $25.

LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask – Berry

A leave-on lip mask that delivers intense moisture and antioxidants while you sleep with Berry Fruit Complex, Murumuru seed and Shea butter.
Highlighted Ingredients: Berry Mix Complex: Rich in antioxidants to help reveal smooth and supple looking lips.Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, and Murumuru Seed Butter: Help nourish & deliver lasting moisture while you sleep. Vitamin C: Helps protect from external aggressors.

Makeup Brush Set

Another great gift for makeup lovers would be brush set. This 20 Piece Makeup Brush Set is a great deal at only $7.99. They will never want for a makeup brush again!

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EmaxDesign 20 Pieces Makeup Brush Set Professional Face Eye Shadow Eyeliner Foundation Blush Lip Makeup Brushes Powder Liquid Cream Cosmetics Blending Brush Tool

This EmaxDesign cosmetic brush set will show your natural beauty and leave a flawless finish. Handmade brushes made of premium synthetic fiber materials provide an incredible touch and feel

Gel Nails Kit

I bought my teen girls this gel nails kit a couple of years ago and she uses it weekly. Not only is it very easy to use, but the result are salon quality nails that last for weeks (without chipping!). It’s a great price at just $17.97. You will need to buy the special gel nail polish to go with it though.

Gel UV LED Nail Polish Lamp, LKE Nail Dryer 40W LED Light with 3 Timers Professional for Nail Art Tools Accessories White

High Power and Smart:40w uv led nail lamp with 21pcs led lights,110-240 voltage.3timer(30,60s, 99s) for your choose,LCD screen and smart sensor- put your hand in curing lamp and the LED lights will automatically light.

Curling Wand

Another fun gift idea for teens is a Curling Wand. This is a great curling wand with thousands of positive reviews and makes the most beautiful curls. It is currently only $24.99!

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Remington CI9538 Pro 1″-1.5″ Pearl Ceramic Conical Curling Wand, Digital Controls + 10 Heat Settings, Black/Pink

The wide conical barrel ranges from 1” to 1½” so you can quickly create gorgeous tousled waves
The barrel is infused with real crushed pearls that help to create smooth, frizz defying waves. This combined with a ceramic coating for less damage and fast, salon results.

Hair Styling Book

I bought this hair styling book for my daughter last Christmas. She loved it! It gives easy to follow instructions for fixing hair. If you are shopping for a teen girl that loves to experiment with hair, I highly recommend this book.

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Braids, Buns, and Twists!: Step-by-Step Tutorials for 82 Fabulous Hairstyles

Butcher, Christina (Author)
English (Publication Language)
192 Pages – 11/19/2013 (Publication Date) – Chronicle Books (Publisher)

Makeup Eraser

Help your teen girl erase her makeup with ease by gifting her this makeup eraser. Not only is it chemical free, but it also erases all forms of makeup with ease! It is currently priced at only $20.00.

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The Original Makeup Eraser, Erase All Makeup With Just Water, Including Waterproof Mascara, Eyeliner, Foundation, Lipstick and More, Original Pink

2 in 1: Erase & Exfoliate – Use the short fiber side to erase makeup in gentle circular motions then flip to the long fiber side (side with tag) to exfoliate the skin. Continue in gentle circular motions for flawless skin

Books

Here are some fun books for all teen girls who love to read! My daughters and I have read all of these and love them so much! Highly recommend!

Heartless

A modern day fairytale, Heartless tells the story of the Queen of Hearts as a young girl in Wonderland, long before she became the well known villain. It’s such a fun story for teen girls!

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Heartless

Meyer, Marissa (Author)
English (Publication Language)
480 Pages – 05/01/2018 (Publication Date) – Square Fish (Publisher)

The Selection

Another great book for teens is The Selection. This book is full of romance, royalty, and a secret plot….basically all the good things! Plus, The Selection is a series so after reading this first book they will want more! You can currently get the paperback for $8.79.

Sale

The Selection (The Selection, 1)

Used Book in Good Condition
Cass, Kiera (Author)
English (Publication Language)
352 Pages – 03/26/2013 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)

The Summer I Turned Pretty

You can get the entire The Summer I Turned Pretty book set for less than $25! Three great books for your teen book lover to read and enjoy!

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The Complete Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy (Boxed Set): The Summer I Turned Pretty; It’s Not Summer Without You; We’ll Always Have Summer

Used Book in Good Condition
Han, Jenny (Author)
English (Subtitle)

Room Decorations

My teen girls love getting new cute things to keep their room fresh, fun and trendy! Here are some frugal teen girl gift ideas for their room!

Bluetooth Speaker

Teens love music, so a Bluetooth speaker would be perfect for them to add to their room to listen to music. This speaker only costs $19.99!

Bluetooth Speaker, Wireless Portable, HD Stereo Sound,with Cool Dynamic LED Lights, IPX4 Waterproof, BT5.3, Dual Surround Pairing, Him Her Man Teens Electronic Gadgets Gifts, for Outdoor Camping Party

Immersive Clear Sound & Dual Playing : Crafted for distortion-free sound, this wireless Bluetooth speaker uses unparalleled 15W HiFi sound quality and advanced technology to deliver powerful, balanced sound with minimal distortion. You can connect two speakers together to create an immersive, high-fidelity stereo experience, filling any room with up to 30W(15W*2) of powerful sound. Perfect for gaming, music and movie playback.

Felt Board

Felt Boards are super trendy right now! Most teen girls would love having them in their room to be able to make fun and cute sayings. This one is only $21.95!

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Felt Letter Board, 10x10in Changeable Letter Board with Letters White 300 Piece – Felt Message Board, Oak Frame Wooden Letter Board for Baby Announcements, Milestones, Office Decor & More (Gray)

Gray Felt Letter Boards 10 x 10 Inches, Luxuriously soft announcement boards with letters is made from sustainable polyester. Exceptional quality, handmade Letter Board With Letters And Numbers. Our Message Board is built with love, to last.

Marquee Letter Sign

Give the teen girl in your life a marquee letter sign with her initial. This makes such a fun room accessory! It is currently only $8.98.

ODISTAR LED Light Up Marquee Letters, Battery Powered Sign Letter 26 Alphabet with Lights for Wedding Engagement Birthday Party Table Decoration bar Christmas Night Home,9’’, White (M)

Premium Quality: made by eco-friendly ABS material and epitaxial LED chip, the LED light-up letters are of long lifespan (about 60000h) and high brightness. It gives off bright warm white glow without any flickering or glaring

Photo Clip Light Strand

A really fun gift for a teen girls room is this photo clip light strand. It comes with 20 light clips for attaching photos. These lights are the perfect way to add to their room and remember fun times with their friends through photos. You can buy it for just $7.99.

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Magnoloran 20 LED Photo Clip Starry Lights with Remote LED Fairy Twinkle Lights Home Festival Decor Lights for Christmas Party Halloween Thanksgiving Wedding Valentine’s Day

Create Romantic Atmosphere-Each LED bulbs equipped with a transparent clip which can nip photo or other small Items creating excellent illumination and a warm atmosphere, spreading light and cheer across a wide area. It is indispensable for festival decoration.

Teen Girl Active Gifts

Here are a couple cheap gift ideas for the active teen girls in your life!

Gym Bag

If you are shopping for a girl that plays sports, maybe she needs something to help carry all of her gear to/from practice or school. This gym duffel bag is super cute and has sections to keep her wet and dry items separate. You can buy it now for $17.99.

MABROUC Duffle Bag For Women, Sports Duffel Bag for Gym with Wet Pocket & Shoe Compartment, Overnight Weekender Travel Bag(Pink)

PERFECT FOR GYM: Size 20 * 10 * 10 inch, light weight at 1.2 lbs, these bright-color gym duffle bags are perfect for tennis, dance, golf, football, cross fit, and swimming, carry all your sports and workout essentials plus more.

Water Bottle

Another great gift idea for the active girl is a stainless steel insulated water bottle. It will keep her water ice cold while exercising or at practice. Plus, the colors are so pretty with a huge variety to choose from.

Enerbone 32 oz Water Bottle, Leakproof BPA & Toxic Free, Motivational Water Bottle with Times to Drink and Straw, Fitness Sports Water Bottle with Strap for Office, Gym, Outdoor Sports, Pink-Green

【Stay Motivated and Hydrated】32 oz water bottle with unique quote and time marker are inspirational, convenient for tracking your daily water intake and reminding you of being hydrated. Drinking bottles is suitable for any activities.

In Conclusion

I hope this article helped you find some great gift ideas for teen girls, all under $25! My belief is that you can gift wonderful, well loved presents without having to spend a lot of money!

It might just take a little research and patience, but it’s possible!

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I hope this list helped you find some gift ideas for teen girls under $25!

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How To Make Frugal Living Fun

Sweet Frugal Life — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 22:37:33 +0000

You can still have fun and enjoy life while living on a budget!

I’m frugal. Obviously. I write an entire blog about frugal living. Frugal living makes me happy, it brings me peace, and helps me feel content. However, over the years I have learned that there are many people who misunderstand my lifestyle. I’ve received comments like, “Ew. Frugal living is so gross” or “I hate saving money, it makes life not as fun.”

Now, I understand that the lifestyle I enjoy might not be the lifestyle that others will enjoy. But, one of my goals is to help others understand that frugal living doesn’t have to make life stifling or boring. You can still live a full and happy life while being frugal, and I want to help you make it happen!

Having Fun While Saving Money

First, let’s discuss what having fun means!

The definition of fun is to have enjoyment or light hearted amusement.

Somewhere along the way we have convinced ourselves that in order to have enjoyment we have to spend money, buy experiences, purchase items, or go on trips.

But, the truth is that having fun can be completely free and done in so many unique ways!

Make It A Game

Make frugal living a game! See how much money you can save each month and try to slowly increase how much less you spend month by month. Make sure to give yourself some rewards when you meet your goals!

If you are a competitive person, you might want to set up a little competition with a friend or family member. See who can find the most frugal things to do throughout the week. Whoever wins has to make the other person cookies!

Related: How To Live Frugally

Free Community Events

One of the best ways to get out of the house is to attend free community events! Most communities will host a variety of free events throughout the year. These are the perfect activities to get out of the house, without having to spend money on entertainment.

A few of the free events I’ve found in my local community are:

Trunk or Treats
Parades
Christmas Tree Lighting
Festivals
Pumpkin Walk
Art Shows
Concerts in the Park

And so much more!

The best places to find free events is on local facebook groups. I search these groups regularly to find free activities for my family to enjoy.

Fun Free Things You Can Do At Home

You don’t even have to leave your house to be frugal and have fun! There are so many activities you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

Play a card game. There are many single player card games you can enjoy by yourself (hello solitaire) or enjoy some time with your friends or family playing a multi player card game.
Read a book. Reading is one of my favorite past times, and the best part is you have access to thousands and thousands of free books through your local library! Yay! If audiobooks is more your thing, no worries, you can listen to audiobooks for free using the methods listed here.
Have a dance party. Turn on some of your favorite tunes and show off your best dance moves. I love dance parties with myself, or with my family! It’s always sure to put me in a good mood!
Practice drawing by watching free YouTube videos.
Learn to cook something new. Invite friends over to taste test it for you!
Watch a movie! You could cozy up by yourself to watch your favorite movie, or invite some friends over for a fun movie night.
Start exercising! There are so so many free exercise videos on YouTube you could use. You could even invite over a few friends to make it more of a party!
Put together a puzzle! I always find really cheap puzzles at the thrift store! Just be careful, sometimes they are missing a few pieces!
Have a spa day. Treat yourself to a warm bath, face mask, and a home manicure.

Related: Cheap At Home Date Night Ideas

Free Things To Do Outside

This beautiful world is full of many fun and free things you can do, just by stepping outside! Here are some of my favorite fun things to do outside that won’t cost you any money.

Go on a hike! Find somewhere close to your house for a fun day hike. Even if you aren’t much of a hiker, a small walk through the woods is always great for the soul!
Play frisbee golf. Frisbees are super cheap, and once you buy one you can use it forever and ever. Invest in a cheap frisbee and then enjoy a few frisbee golf courses in your area. They are usually located in a park for free!
Have a picnic in the park. Pack your favorite lunch and go to the park for a fun outdoor picnic. Invite your friends or family members….or just eat by yourself and enjoy some quiet alone time.
Walk around the neighborhood. Maybe hiking isn’t your thing, try going for a nice walk around your neighborhood, or even explore a new neighborhood if you want something new.
Go to the beach. Sadly, I do not live near a beach…but if I did then I would be there all the time! It’s the perfect free and fun activity!

Free Things To Do As A Group

I’ve found that a lot of what makes frugal living appear less fun is when you have to decline invites from friends to participate in things that just aren’t in your budget. I get it, I struggle having to say no to those things as well.

What I have found to do instead as a way to keep myself social and make frugal living fun, is to be the one who makes the invites, and suggest frugal group activities!

Here are a few frugal activities you can do with a group:

Host a game night. Group games are a fun and frugal way to get together with friends, to laugh, and have fun together. One of my favorite group games is called Fishbowl. Learn how to play it here.
Go on an adventure. Invite a few friends to explore a new neighborhood, or go on a drive to somewhere you’ve never been before. Adventures are always so much more fun with friends!
Form a book club. One of my favorite things each month is meeting with a group of friends to discuss books! We have formed a wonderful friendship and will spend hours laughing and talking.
Have a viewing party. You could invite friends over to watch a football game, or a new movie that was just released. Ask everyone to bring a snack and enjoy watching something all together.
Plan a karaoke night. You can do karaoke right at home, without going out. Just look up some youtube karaoke videos, and let everyone have a turn standing and singing.
Host a potluck or BBQ. Ask all of your friends to bring a favorite dish and enjoy a eating dinner together without spending tons of money.

Related: Cheap Staycation Ideas

You Can Make Frugal Living Fun

I really hope that this article has given you some ideas for easy and frugal ways to have fun! Frugality should never ever make life unenjoyable! It’s meant to increase the value and joy in your life! Life can still be fun when you live frugally!

Pin For Future Reference

Have fun while saving money and living on a budget!

The post How To Make Frugal Living Fun appeared first on Sweet Frugal Life.

Gifts For 3-4 Year Old Girls Under $25

Sweet Frugal Life — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 21:59:43 +0000

Budget Friendly Gift Guide For 3 and 4 Year Old Girls

I had so much fun putting together these ideas for gifts to give to 3-4 year old girls under $25. Honestly, one of my favorite group of people to shop for is 3-4 year old girls. I just love all things pink and girlie, so being able to shop for girls who also loves those things makes my day! Without further ado, let’s get to the list shall we?

Educational Toys For 3-4 Year Old Girls

You can never go wrong when gifting an educational toy to preschool kids! Here are some budget friendly options she might enjoy.

Wooden Jig Saw Puzzle

How cute is this wooden farm animals puzzle? It comes in a 4 pack, and has tons of positive reviews!

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Melissa & Doug Farm 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles in a Storage Box (48 pcs total), 12

4 compartments in the sturdy wooden box store four different mini jigsaw puzzles

LeapFrog 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch

Help your kids feel like a grown up with this LeapFrog 2-in-1 LeapTouch. Not only does it help them feel more grown up, the leap touch also teaches important skills, like spelling and reading.

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LeapFrog 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch, Green

2-in-1 laptop features a screen that flips to convert from keyboard to tablet mode.Ideal for ages:2 years and up

Classic Card Game Set

My family loves family game night! Games are fun, but they also can be educational! So, why not get the little ones involved in the fun with this Melissa and Doug card game set! It comes with 3 classic card games, in kid friendly themes!

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Melissa & Doug Classic Card Games Set – Old Maid, Go Fish, Rummy – FSC Certified

Three complete decks of cards for Old Maid, Go Fish and Animal Rummy

Related: Best Gift Ideas For 5-7 Year Old Girls Under $25

Imaginative Play Gifts for 3-4 Year Old Girls

The ages between 3-4 can be a huge time for pretend play. Here are a few budget friendly gift ideas to help encourage imaginative play.

Flower Garden Building Kit

What little girl wouldn’t love this darling flower garden building kit. They will have so much fun getting to build their own flower garden! It’s also a perfect activity to help strengthen those fine motor skills.

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SpringFlower Toys for Girls 3 4 5 6 7 Years Old, Flower Garden Building Kit with Storage case,Educational STEM Toy and Preschool Garden Play Set for Toddlers, 148pcs

Best Christmas Gift for Kids: Building your own garden kit is an ideal gift for girls aged 3 and up. The parts are all interchangeable, allowing for endless combinations and designs. The countless…

Outdoor Exploration Kit

Do you have a girl that loves the outdoors and exploring? She just might love this outdoor exploration kit! It comes stocked full of all the things she will need for outdoor exploration, including a backpack, bincoculars, flashlight, compass, and more!

Adventure Kidz – Outdoor Exploration Kit, Children’s Toy Binoculars with Case, Flashlight, Compass, Whistle, Magnifying Glass, Backpack. Great Gift Set for Camping, Hiking, STEM, Pretend Play.

ADVENTURE KIDZ KIT! Fun Gift Set – that supports STEM Learning and encourages scientific exploration and a love of nature. Whether it’s indoor or backyard play the handy backpack allows for easy carrying enabling the adventurous child to explore and learn. Fantastic for bird watching, sporting games, hunting, nature walks and wilderness expeditions.

Safari Buddies Hand Puppets

Another fun gift idea for 3 or 4 year old girls is Barn Buddies Hand Puppets. It is sure to inspire many hours of creativity and pretend play. Can you imagine all the cute puppet shows!

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Melissa & Doug Barn Buddies Hand Puppets, Set of 6 (Cow, Sheep, Horse, Duck, Chicken, Pig) , Multicolor

Set of 6 soft and cuddly hand puppets in a farm animals theme

Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Wooden Cookie Play Set

This cookie play set will encourage a lot of fun and play! Your little one will love slicing and baking these cookies for everyone to “taste” and enjoy!

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Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Wooden Cookie Play Food Set

COLORFUL WOODEN PLAY FOOD SET: The Melissa & Doug Slice-and-Bake Wooden Cookie Play Foot Set includes 12 sliceable cookies, 12 toppings, knife, spatula, cookie sheet, and kitchen mitt. Cookies store in a durable dough tube.

Play Makeup Set

This darling makeup set is stocked full of all the play makeup any little girl could ever dream of! From nail polish to lip gloss, and everything in between. It’s a gift she is sure to play with for hours and hours!

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Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Wooden Cookie Play Food Set

COLORFUL WOODEN PLAY FOOD SET: The Melissa & Doug Slice-and-Bake Wooden Cookie Play Foot Set includes 12 sliceable cookies, 12 toppings, knife, spatula, cookie sheet, and kitchen mitt. Cookies store in a durable dough tube.

Toy Microphone

Encourage your little one to sing her heart out with this darling toy microphone gift. The microphone connects to Bluetooth, making it easy for her to sing along to all of her favorite songs! Plus, it’s under $10!

Niskite Toddler Girl Toys Microphone: 2 3 4 Year Old Girl Birthday Gift Ideas

♪【Toddler Toys Microphone】- Play and record any songs your like from any app on your phone like Spotify,YouTube or Apple music.The microphone for kids built-in clearly audio and vividly sound effect can make you enjoy listening and singing anytime and anywhere.

Doll Stroller

Most little girls love to push their baby dolls around in a doll stroller. I found a really cute umbrella stroller for a great price! It will make a great gift for a young girl!

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Hearts My First Doll Stroller for Kids – Super Cute Doll Stroller for Girls – Doll Stroller Folds for Storage – Great Gift for Toddlers

High quality and durable FOLD-ABLE umbrella doll stroller to carry up to 18″ doll

Disney Princess Color Reveal Doll

Here’s a fun gift idea for young girls under $25! A Disney Princess Color Reveal Doll! The doll comes encased in color, so you do not know which princess it is, but after a dip in water the princess is revealed! Such a fun surprise!

Crafting Gifts For Kids Between Ages 3-4 Year Old Girls

Crafting is a great way for little kids to develop their fine motor skills and use some creativity! Consider giving one of these fun crafting activities!

Color Wonder Coloring Book

Let your child enjoy coloring, without any mess! I absolutely love these mess free coloring books from Color Wonder, and the 3 year old girl in your life will love it too!

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Crayola Bluey Color Wonder Coloring Set, 18 Bluey Coloring Pages, Mess Free Coloring for Toddlers, Bluey Toys, Gifts for Kids

COLOR WONDER SET: Contains 18 Bluey Coloring Pages and 5 Color Wonder Markers.

Playdough Set

Playdough sets make great gifts for 3 to 4 year old girls! This one comes with tools, shape cutters, and multiple colors for them to play and create all day!

Play-Doh Fun Tub Set, 19 Accessories & Reusable Storage Container, Preschool Toys, Kids Arts & Crafts, Ages 3+ (Amazon Exclusive)

CREATIVITY PLUS CONVENIENCE: Play-Doh toys have made kids activities even easier for the grownups with the Fun Tub

Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets

These Scribble Scrubbie Pets are absolutely adorable and will provide any kids with hours of fun and entertainment!

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Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets Tub Set, Washable Pet Care Toy, Reusable Animal Toys for Girls & Boys, Gifts for Kids, Ages 3, 4, 5

SCRIBBLE SCRUBBIE PETS: Features 1 Kid-Powered Purple Bathtub, 4 Animal Toys, 6 Washable Markers, and 1 Scrub Brush.

Related: Gift Ideas for Toddlers Under $25

Clothing Gifts For Girls Ages 3-4

Buying clothing for little girls just might be one of my favorite things! I loved getting to find you a few clothing gift ideas for girls, and as always, they are all under $25!

Disney Princess Nightgown

If you are shopping for a little girl that loves to play dress up, this Disney princess nightgown is a perfect gift under $25!

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Disney Girls’ Princess Fantasy Gown Nightgown, Rapunzel Shines 3, 4T

SIZING: All sizing follows standard regulations set by the National Retail Federation for infant and toddler (12M, 18M, 24M, 2T, 3T, 4T), as well as big kids (4, 6, 8, 10, 12)

Unicorn Onesie

My son loves his onesie and will wear it constantly, especially during the winter months! Here is a cute unicorn onesie for the girl you are shopping for! It’s colorful, warm, and darling!

NewPlush Kids Animal Cosplay Costumes Pajamas Christmas Children Rainbow Cloud Unicorn Onesie Birthday Gifts(2-4 Years)

MATERIAL:100% Polar Fleece

Minnie Mouse Purse

I was so excited to find the absolute cutest purse for little girls! This Minnie Mouse Purse is just so darling and the perfect size for 3 or 4 year olds to carry around! It comes in multiple colors, so you can pick out the best color for whoever you are shopping for!

Sale

Little Girls Toddlers Mini Crossbody Shoulder Bag Coin Purse with Cute Mouse Ear Bowknot

PREMIUM MATERIAL: Made of high quality soft PU leather, toxic free and odorless, child and eco-friendly.

Active Gifts For Girls Under $25

Looking for a gift idea that will get some energy out? Try one of the options below!

Foam Pogo Stick

How fun is this foam pogo stick??? It’s the best gift for 3 or 4 year old’s who need to get out some energy! It has great reviews, is under $25, and is sure to bring hours and hours of laughs and fun!

Sale

Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper for Kids Fun and Safe Pogo Stick, Durable Foam and Bungee Jumper for Ages 3 and up Toddler Toys, Supports up to 250lbs (Blue)

Boing, boing, squeak. The My First Flybar foam pogo stick is hours of healthy, bouncy fun. Crafted from durable foam, this is an ideal first pogo stick for kids; each jump makes a fun squeaky sound

Stomp Rocket

What little kid doesn’t want to launch off a rocket? Let them do just that with the Stomp Rocket Launche r! All they have to do is stomp on the launcher to let the rocket fly!

Stomp Rocket Jr Multi-Color Rocket Launcher for Kids, 8 Rockets – Fun Outdoor Kids Gifts for Boys & Girls – STEM Toy Foam Blaster Set Soars Up to 100 Feet – Ages 3 & Up

RUN, JUMP, STOMP AND GLOW: Experience active fun, day and night, with Stomp Rocket’s Jr. Multi Color Rocket Launcher! Take turns launching multi color rockets with your friends and family. Includes 8 Jr. Multi Color Stomp Rockets, Launch Stand, and Launch Pad with Air Hose. Recommended for ages 3 years and up.

Gift Ideas For Her Bedroom

Help the little girl in your life decorate and add accessories to her bedroom with the frugal gift ideas below!

Butterfly Squishmallow

Gift her something to hug and snuggle with this butterfly squishmallow. It’s so cute and a great price!

Squishmallows Original 14-Inch Andreina Pink Monarch Butterfly with White Sparkle Belly – Large Ultrasoft Official Jazwares Plush

SQUAD UP Grow your Squishmallows Squad with Andreina, a super-soft, collectible stuffed animal

Unicorn Jewelry Box

This is the perfect age to gift her first jewelry box! Every little girl needs a place to keep her treasures! This unicorn jewelry box is priced just right and so so cute!!

Sale

Jewelkeeper Musical Jewelry Box for Girls with Spinning Unicorn, Glitter Rainbow and Stars Design Music Box for Necklace, Earrings, and Accessories, Plays The Beautiful Dreamer Tune

Unicorn Music Box: This music box for girls feature a spacious design; ideal for storing necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and keepsakes; soft light violet lining protects treasures from scratches

Star Night Light

I love this gift idea! It’s a star night light! It will light up your child’s room, fort, or anything in between! It’s a great gift for a child who is needing a little extra comfort at night, or really for anyone!

Sale

Toys for 1-10 Year Old Girls,Star Projector for Kids 2-9 Year Old Girl Gifts Toys for 3-8 Year Old Girls Christmas Gifts for 4-7 Year Old Boys Sensory Toy Birthday Gifts Stocking Stuffers for Kids

UNIQUE DESIGN — Unlike other products, our lamp bead does have last long lifetime. Can project up 15ft, 250 square feet of the house can see the clear pattern. Lights can be adjusted freely, the brightness of the light is not dazzling and will not affect the kids sleep.

Book Gift Ideas For 3-4 Year Old Girls Under $25

Reading is one of my love languages. I love books, and I especially love reading books to my kids! Here are a few book ideas for young girls.

Busy Book

How fun is this Montessori Busy Book?? It’s the cutest! The Busy Book has multiple activities inside to help kids learn and stay entertained.

Benresive Montessori Busy Book for Toddlers 2-4, Preschool Toddler Learning Activities Crafts, Sticker Books for 2 3 4 Year Old Boys Girls Birthday Gifts, Autism Sensory Toys

Busy Book for Toddlers 1-3: Montessori Toys for 1 2 3 year old busy book. Preschool busy book can help toddlers learning through play. Parents can participate in toddlers activities to help kids learning understand thinking, perceive colors, and enhance logical knowledge.

The Pout Pout Fish Book

I love gifting books! Sharing my love for reading with others just makes me so happy! The Pout Pout Fish book is the perfect gift for a 3-4 year old girl! It is a fun read, that helps kids learn more about their feelings.

Sale

The Pout-Pout Fish: A Padded Board Book (A Pout-Pout Fish Adventure)

Diesen, Deborah (Author)

Today I’ll Be A Princess Book

Today I’ll Be A Princess is a darling book about all things princesses, but also reminding kids that the best thing to be is themselves! This is such an important message for young girls, and all of us!

Sale

Today I’ll Be a Princess

Croyle, Paula (Author)

In Conclusion

I hope this article gave you a few fresh ideas for gift ideas to give to 3-4 year old girls under $25. There are so many fun options for kids this age.

Remember, to always stick to your budget and never feel pressure to spend more than you can afford. It’s the thought and love behind a gift that matters, not the price tag!

More Frugal Gift Guides

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Best gift ideas for 3-4 year old girls under $25!

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How To Save Money On Kids Sports

Sweet Frugal Life — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 21:37:28 +0000

Frugal tips for youth participating in sports

As a parent of three kids I’m always trying to find new ways about how to save money on kids sports.

It’s not an easy task!

The sporting world expenses always seem to add up quickly.

First, you have the sign up fees, and then the uniform and practice equipment, followed by travel expenses, and so on and so forth.

Once you feel like you have finally got a handle on the expenses a new team or sport or league pops up that your child wants to join, and the sports expenses come rolling in again.

Now, I understand that having your kids participate in sports or extracurricular activities is not a necessity…but that doesn’t matter, because it’s OK to spend money on things that makes us happy or that we feel is a priority in our life.

Sports aren’t a huge priority for my kids, but they are something that they have enjoyed from time to time, so I’ve had to learn a few frugal tips for helping to offset the costs. I’m excited to share those tips with you!

1. Shop Thrift Stores

One of the biggest ways to save money on kids sports is to buy their equipment gently used. You can find high quality balls, nets, cleats, ballet shoes, and other supplies for a great price at thrift stores. Most likely you will have to shop around to a few different stores to find everything that you need, but the savings will be worth it!

In addition to thrift stores check on Facebook marketplace and garage sales for gently used sports equipment.

2. Limit The Amount Of Sports

I know how important it is in some families to have your kids participate in a lot of sports and activities. As parents we naturally want to give our kids as many opportunities as possible.

However, when it comes to being frugal it is better to prioritize and pick and choose the sports that are most important.

You could encourage your kids to choose just one sport at a time to play. Or maybe they can play one sport a year. The way you prioritize the sports will look different for every family, and that’s ok! Do whatever is best for you and your family!

3. Shop Around For Different Leagues

If you want to save money on kids sports it’s always important to shop around before signing your kids up.

When I search “youth football leagues” in my area I will found a handful of different options. Each of them with pros and cons about why I should sign my kids up for their program, including a variety of price options.

As you do your research to find the best fit for your kids sports, make sure to look into the price and compare it with different leagues and programs in your area.

4. Choose Rec Leagues Over Club Leagues

Speaking of shopping around for different leagues, recreation leagues will almost always be much cheaper than a club league.

Another benefit for rec leagues is that they usually require less of a time commitment and less travel, which will save you even more money in those extra expenses.

Recreation leagues are especially beneficial for beginners trying to decide which sports they like best, or those wanting to play to learn a new skill and have fun, rather than competitively.

5. Sign All Of Your Kids Up For The Same Sport

Another important way to save money on school sports is to sign all of your kids up for the same sport! This way they can share the same equipment, and often leagues will give discounts for multiple kids in the same family.

6. Look Into School Sports

Often schools will offer sports at very affordable prices, maybe even free! I’ve had two examples recently.

I was looking into signing my son up for basketball, then I saw that his school was offering a league for free! That’s right, NO participation fee. This was much cheaper than any other city, rec, or club league I was looking into.

Another example was with my daughter and tennis. I considered signing her up for tennis lessons, but then decided to just have her join the school team. She is getting daily tennis instruction and practice for 4 months for the exact same price I would have paid to have her take lessons once a week for one month! Such a savings!

7. Carpool To Practice, Games and Tournaments

Many sports require daily practices and out of town games or tournaments. To save money on gas, try to find a few parents to carpool with! You can each take turns driving the kids to and from their sporting events. Everyone takes a turn, and everyone saves money! Yay!

Related: How To Save Money On Gas

8. Pack Snacks and Meals From Home

Speaking of traveling, we all need to eat! Especially hungry athletes! Rather than getting into the habit of buying takeout food while watching games, pack snacks and meals from your own pantry instead!

Not sure what to pack? No worries! I have a few ideas for you!

Fruit
Sandwiches
Cheese and Crackers
Granola Bar
Hard Boiled Eggs
String Cheese
Muffins
Popcorn
Pasta Salad

9. Volunteer Your Time

Don’t be afraid to volunteer your time to your child’s teams. Many leagues will give discounts if a parent is willing to volunteer as a coach or help in some way. Make sure to ask your sports leagues about this option and jump in if it’s a possibility!

When my daughter participated in gymnastics years ago, I was able to get a huge discount from her monthly tuition by volunteering to help clean the gym once a week! It was a savings I happily took advantage of.

10. Hire A Teen Instructor

If you feel the desire to give your child some one on one instruction to help them develop in their sport, consider hiring a teen instructor to work with them.

Most teens will be willing to teach your child sport skills, for a much cheaper rate than many private coaches charge.

In Conclusion

Sports can be an important part of childhood for many kids. Fortunately there are some ways that you can save money on kids sports! I hope this article helped point you in the right direction! You got this!

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Enjoy these budget friendly hacks for kids who play sports!

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How To Get Free Stuff On Your Birthday

Sweet Frugal Life — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 16:07:20 +0000

Places that give you birthday freebies.

Today just so happens to be my birthday! Yay! Happy Birthday to me! Birthdays are so fun! But! They are even MORE fun when you figure out how to get free stuff on your birthday!

This week, my email inbox has been flooded with birthday freebies and coupons and I am excited to share with you all of the places that give you free stuff on your birthday.

I only included the birthday freebies with no purchase required! When I want free, I want free FREE if you know what I mean!

How To Get Free Meals On Your Birthday

First up, let’s talk about free meals! Here are a few of my favorite places to get free meals. They all require signing up for their email list, which is so quick and easy to do!

Papa Murphys

Enjoy a free birthday pizza (up to $16) from Papa Murphys when you sign up for their MySlice Rewards programs.

IHOP

Sign up for MYHOP to receive free pancakes each year, and to be the first to hear about other deals happening. This makes the best birthday breakfast!

Tucanos

When you join Club Tucanos you will begin receiving special offers in your inbox, but my favorite is the free meal for your birthday month!

Rainforest Cafe

Sign up for the Rainforest Cafe Club and receive a free $25 welcome gift AND a $25 gift on your birthday! This is such a great deal!

Black Bear Diner

You can also get a free birthday meal AND welcome meal from the Black Bear Diner by signing up for their eclub.

Benihana

You can get treated to a $30 gift certificate to Benihanas every birthday when you join their Chef’s Table list. This is a great deal, and you are able to use the certificate anytime within 29 days of receiving it.

Red Robin

I love this freebie from Red Robin! All you have to do is join the royalty program and you will be rewarded with a free burger on your birthday!

Related: How To Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards

How to Get Free Dessert On Your Birthday

And now, for my favorite part of a birthday, the dessert! Here are a few fun birthday dessert freebies for you to enjoy!

Marble Slab

Earn points and a birthday freebie from Marble Slab when you download their app.

Ben & Jerrys

Enjoy a free birthday surprise from Ben & Jerry’s when you join their Flavor Fanatics rewards program.

Dippin Dots

Who doesn’t love Dippin Dots? Sign up for their email club to get coupons sent to your inbox, including a birthday freebie!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

One of my favorite birthday freebies is from Sprinkles Cupcakes! All you have to do is join their Sprinkles Perks program to start earning rewards. The more you spend at Sprinkles throughout the year, the more free cupcakes (up to a bakers dozen!) you will get on your birthday.

Ruby Tuesday

Signing up with Ruby Tuesday rewards gives you access to free deals, and a free birthday dessert.

A&W

You will be treated to a free A&W Root Beer Float when you sign up for the A&W Mug Club.

Krispy Kreme

Sonic

Download the Sonic App to get a free shake or side!

Applebees

Applebees will give you a free birthday dessert and appetizer when you sign up for their Club Applebees program!

Related: Cheap At Home Date Night Ideas

Del Taco

Get two free tacos for signing up with Del Taco AND you will also receive a free birthday milkshake each year.

Orange Leaf

Join Orange Leaf to earn points and a free birthday frozen yogurt!

Baskin Robbins

Enjoy a free scoop of ice cream for your birthday from Baskin Robbins by signing up for their Birthday Club email list.

La Madeleine

Download and sign up for the La Madeleine app and you will get a free pastry or piece of cake on your birthday!

Starbucks

Become a Starbucks rewards member and you will get a free drink or food item of your choice on your birthday.

Chilis

Get a free dessert at Chilis when you sign up for their rewards program here!

PinkBerry

Panera

Treat yourself to a free goodie from Panera when you join MyPanera.

Auntie Annes

Download the Pretzel Perks app to get a free birthday pretzel from Auntie Annes.

Crumble Cookie

Getting a free birthday cookie is easy at Crumble Cookie! Simply download their app onto your phone and add your birthday!

Related: Free Self Care Ideas

Nothing Bundt Cakes

I am a HUGE fan of Nothing Bundt Cakes and look forward to my free birthday bundtlet every year. All you have to do is sign up for their Eclub to receive this fun birthday freebie!

Cheesecake Factory

Enjoy a free slice from the Cheesecake Factory by signing up for their rewards program.

Wetzels Pretzels

Download the Wetzels App to get rewarded every birthday with a free pretzel!

Non Food Birthday Freebies

If you are looking for some non food birthday freebies, check out these great offers below!

CVS

We all like free money, right??? Right! Well, CVS will give you $3 during your birthday month if you sign up for their extracare membership program.

American Eagle

Get your free $5 birthday reward from American Eagle with their Real Rewards program!

Ulta

Enjoy a free birthday gift from Ulta if you sign up for their rewards!

Bath and Body Works

When you join the Bath and Body Works Loyalty Rewards you will receive a free birthday surprise every year! So fun!

In Conclusion

If you are wondering how to get free stuff on your birthday, I hope this article gave you a few good hints. You will love receiving all of these free coupons in your e-mail during your birthday month.

Birthday Traditions for Small Budgets

Budget Friendly Pancake and Pajama Birthday Party!

LEGO Birthday Party for Under $20

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Now you know how to get free stuff on your birthday!

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How To Play Town Council – Fun Party Game For All Ages

Sweet Frugal Life — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 21:15:45 +0000

Town Council Group Game Instructions

The holidays recently ended, and I love looking back and reminiscing at all of the fun we had. We were able to get together with family multiple times, played games, ate good food, and laughed a lot. I’m so grateful for anything that give us an excuse/reason to get together with the people most important to us. One of my families favorite things to do when we get together is play games. Today I want to share with you how to play one of our favorite party games for all ages called Town Council.

We love playing Town Council because it’s fun, quick to play, easy to learn, and fun for all ages. Plus, you will need very minimal prep or supplies. It is really the perfect big group game.

What is Town Council?

The premise of Town Council is simple really. Your goal will be to collect all the other players onto your council. This is done by correctly guessing their previously chosen fake name. The first person to collect all players wins the game.

It usually takes between 10-20 minutes to complete the game.

Town Council Group Game Set Up

To set up this fun party game for all ages you will need just two supplies:

Small strip of blank paper for each player (scratch paper works great!)
Pen/pencils

That’s it!

Before the game begins pass one strip of paper to each player. Ask them to write a name onto the paper. This can be any name: it could be a celebrity, a friend, a cartoon character, or a random name. There is no rule!

Once every person has written down a name ask them to fold their paper in half one time and put it into a bowl.

Related: How To Play Fish Bowl

How To Play Town Council

Now that all of the slips of paper have been put into the bowl, nominate someone to be the “Mayor”. The mayor will pull out each of the papers and read them one at a time to the group. While the names are being read the rest of the players will need to listen closely to each of the names and try to remember as many of the names as they can.

The names will only be read one time, so everyone should pay close attention.

After all of the games have been read the game can begin!

Sitting in a circle, take turns having each person guess who wrote down each name. If you guess someone’s name correctly then they will come sit by you and join your “Town Council”. You now work together as a council of two.

Play continues until one player has all of the other players on his council.

If you are able to guess someone else’s council of multiple players, then you get the entire team to join your council. It can be wise strategy to guess the large councils to help your team grow quickly.

Example Game

Here is a sample game to help you understand the process.

Let’s say there are 6 people playing Town Council: Jessica, Jordan, Claire, Kelly, Greg and Luke.

Jessica goes first and asks Claire: “Are you Bugs Bunny?” Claire did not write down Bugs Bunny so she replies, “No.”

Next it is Jordans turn, Jordan asks Jessica, “Are you George Washington?” Jessica did write down George Washington, so she replies, “Yes.” Jessica now sits by Jordan and joins his council. They can now work together to guess the rest of the group.

Now it is Claires turn. She asks Greg, “Are you Bugs Bunny?” Greg wrote down Bugs Bunny so he replies with, “Yes.” He now goes and joins Claires council.

Kelly goes next. He asks Jordan, “Are you Lebron James?” Jordan replies “No.”

Luke asks Jordan, “Are you Lizzie McGuire?” Jordan replies “Yes.” Now Jordan and Jessica goes and joins Luke’s Council.

Play continues again around the circle. This game is all about memory, make sure to pay attention while players are guessing so that you can remember who says no and yes to each of the names.

Claire asks Luke, “Are you Walt Disney?” Luke replies, “No.”

Next Kelly asks Claire, “Are you Dwight Schrute?” Claire is Dwight Schrute so says, “Yes.” Claire and Greg join Kellys Town Council.

Right now the Town Councils are:
- Kelly, Claire and Greg
- Luke, Jordan and Jessica
Kelly and Luke are the Town Council leaders and try to guess each others name. The first person to guess correctly will collect the rest of the players in the game and win the game.

Luke asks Kelly, “Are you Walt Disney?” Kelly is Walt Disney, so Luke inherits his council and wins the game. Yay!

Related: Best Family Games Under $20

Town Council Rules and Tips

Here are a few tips and rules to remember while playing this party game for all ages:

You are not allowed to ask someone if they are the name that you wrote down. It is always tempting to use this strategy to “throw them off your scent” but it is against the rules.
As your council grows you are allowed to work together as a team to remember everyone’s names, but only the leader of the council asks the questions.
When the mayor is reading the names don’t make any sounds, jokes or remarks about the names being read. Try to stay as neutral and quiet as possible. The more comments made about a name the more the group will remember that name, and you don’t want to help anyone else remember the names.

Have Fun!

Town Council is such a fun group game to play! It truly is the perfect party game for all ages. I hope that it will become a favorite game for you to play with your family and friends for years to come.

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I hope your family has fun playing town council, the perfect party game for all ages.

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Cheap Staycation Ideas

Sweet Frugal Life — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 21:46:52 +0000

Fun Staycation Activities For Families

I can’t wait to share my favorite cheap staycation ideas with all of you!

It’s no secret that I love to travel…..I mean my very favorite sinking fund category ( by far!) is my vacation fund. However, as we all know, traveling can get expensive….very expensive.

Once you add up the prices for flights, gas, hotels, restaurants, etc there is hardly any money left for the activities! And we all want the activities!

Which is why I am SO happy that fun staycations are becoming more normalized.

What is a staycation?

A staycation is a vacation where you don’t leave your city, and in many cases you don’t even leave your house! Instead of traveling to a new location you stay home and take a break from your regular day to day routine, no going to school or work or anything typical. Instead you will spend your time relaxing, exploring your city, and doing fun activities you never seem to have the time for.

Vacationing the staycation way gives you the opportunity to have a vacation….frugally! You won’t need to spend money on flights, hotels, and every meal. Instead you can save that money for something more important (debt payoff maybe???) and enjoy all of the many fun things to do and see right in your own hometown!

Cheap Staycation Ideas

So, without any further ado! Here is my master list of the BEST cheap staycation ideas for families! I hope you are able to find the perfect activity to help you relax, have fun and make memories!

At Home Family Staycation Ideas

Let’s start with my at home staycation ideas. Some of the best family activities can be enjoyed right in the comfort of your own home!

1. Movie Marathon

If you are looking for a relaxing and cheap staycation idea you just might love having a movie marathon. Choose one of your favorites tv or movie series and spend a few days binge watching! Of course you should add in some popcorn and your favorite movie treats.

You can find some great deals on streaming services if you know where to look! Shop around and see if you can sign up for a few new ones to enjoy over your movie weekend.

2. Play Board Games

My family loves playing board games. It’s a fun way for us to spend time together, laugh, stretch our brains and make memories. Spending a day playing board games is the perfect staycation idea for families.

Board games can be expensive to buy brand new, but don’t let that deter you! There are so many budget board games that are perfect for families check out my list of favorites here! Instead of buying new you could borrow a few games from a friend, or buy some games from the thrift store (my fave place to purchase games).

Related: How To Play Fish Bowl

3. Have A Spa Day

The entire family can join in on an at home spa day. Take some individual bubble baths, put on face masks, paint each other nails, and enjoy some R&R together as a family.

If you are looking for a cheap way for at home salon quality nails, my daughter loves this gel nails system!

Want to spend a little extra money on your spa day? Try a spa day out! Take the family to a local spa and enjoy some pampering for the day!

4. Learn A New Hobby

A staycation is the perfect time to learn a new hobby or work on perfecting one you already have!

You could use this time to take a cake decorating class, paint (my family loves to paint along with the Bob Ross YouTube Videos), learn to sew, sign up for a photography class, or anything else that sounds fun to you!

5. Yard Games

I am such a sucker for yard games! I love being outside with my family and yard games are the prefect way to make that happen.

One of my favorite things about yard games is that everyone can play. I’m not atheltic….so I always feel a little odd when I join in a game of softball, however a yard game….now that is something I can participate in confidently!

A few of my favorite yard games are:

6. Update A Room In Your House

Do you have a few house projects that you have been putting off? Use your staycation free time to get those projects done!

Maybe you are wanting to redecorate a room, update a bathroom, or organize a closet. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small, just as long as it gets done!

7. Put Together A Puzzle

Puzzles are a great way to relax and keep your mind sharp. I love setting out a puzzle on our kitchen table for my family to work on during long weekends at home. My favorite brand of puzzles are Dowdle!

8. Get Some R&R

One of my favorite cheap staycation idea is to rest and relax! The busy hustle and bustle of every day life can wear out anyone and everyone! You might enjoy using your time off of work to get some much needed rest! Spend the day in bed catching up on your sleep, there is no harm in that!

Related: Free Self Care Ideas

9. Backyard Campout

Have a campout in your own backyard. You could lay out blankets right under the stars on your trampoline or a cot, or set up a tent with the kids.

If you happen to have a backyard firepit, try making dinner over the fire. We LOVE these tin foil dinners. Trust me, they aren’t your typical tin foil dinner…they are SO much better! Don’t forget to make the backyard campout extra special with some homemade smores!

10. Make A Craft

Use your staycation time to make a craft, or two or three!

Here are a few fun crafting ideas for the whole family:

Wreath
Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
Christmas Ornament
String Art
Mason Jar Crafts
Bookmarks
Bath Bombs
Halloween Pumpkin Decoration

Staycation Ideas You Can Do Around Your Town

There are so many fun activities you can do right in your own hometown! It’s easy to get use to living in the same place, becoming consumed with the day to day life and forgetting to enjoy all the fun experiences right in front of you.

One thing that has helped our family participate in more activities within our hometown is by using out Get Out Pass.

The Get Out Pass is an annual subscription that lets you visit attractions in your area for free! Last night my family went ax throwing, which is something we never would have tried without the Get Out Pass! It was so much fun to try something new right in our own city!

When buying your pass be sure to use my coupon code: SWEETFRUGALLIFE (code currently only available for Idaho, Utah, North California, North Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Washington and Colorado passes) for the best discount on your pass (promise, it’s always cheaper than the current deal).

Many of the things I will mention below are places that are included in most Get Out Passes.

1. Tour Your City

Try being a tourist in your own town! It doesn’t matter if you live in a big city or small town, there will always be something new to see or do!

You could try a new walking path, go window shopping in a different part of town, or try a new restaurant. Look at your city’s visitor website for ideas, or better yet. use the Get Out Pass to help you find new and fun things to do around town.

2. Rent Scooters To Tour Your Town

Over the past few years my city has been acquiring more and more Bird Scooters for the community to use. They are so much fun! You just download the app onto your phone, scan the scooter you want to rent and enjoy it for as long as you want! This could make for a very fun family staycation.

3. Visit Your Local Library

My family all loves to read, so a visit to the library to get new books is always a highlight in our housel! However, libraries offer SO much more than just books. Many libraries will loan national park passes, baking pans, board games, movies, and more!

Use some time during your next frugal staycation to see what all your library has to offer!

Related: 10 Free Things At The Library

4. Visit A Local Museum

Spend an afternoon at one of your local museums. I just took my kids to the Idaho Potato Museum for free using our Get Out Passes. It was small and quick, but fun to get out of the house and to learn more about our states famous potatoes.

Related: Get Out Pass: An Honest Review

6. Restaurant Tour

Are there some restaurants in your city that you’ve been wanting to try? A family staycation is the perfect time to try them! Use some of your budgeted money to take a little restaurant tour right in your town!

Spend a day or two visiting some of the top local restaurants. You could go out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert…..or all of the above! You might just find a new family favorite!

6. Listen To Live Music

Many towns will have live music events throughout the week, especially during the summertime. We love sitting outside on a summer evening listening to free live music. Look on your city’s website to find any local live music events in your area.

7. Go To A Sporting Event

If you have a sports team in your town, a fun staycation idea would be to go to one of their home games. Sure, it might be a little pricy, depending on the league, but it’s much cheaper than a vacation out of the country!

Our Get Out Pass gives us a free pass to attend one minor league baseball game each year. It makes attending sporting events much cheaper and we look forward to it every year.

8. Have A Pool Day

My family insists that a pool must be apart of any sort of vacation….and I’m not arguing!

Consider adding a pool day to your frugal staycation plan! Spending a day at the pool makes for a great family friendly staycation! You could even pool hop, trying a different pool every day!

9. Attend A Paint Night

Check to see if your city has any paint studios. These are so fun and make planning a paint night easy. All you have to do is show up and then you’ll be taught how to paint a beautiful portrait! It’s a fun night out with friends or family.

If you are looking for something even cheaper, consider an at home paint night! We love these paint by number kits for at home paint nights.

10. Go To The Theater

Get dressed up for the evening and head to a local theater to see a new play, concert or comedian. Community theater can deliver some amazing shows and I love being able to support them whenever I can.

11. Go To The Zoo or Aquarium

Visit the animals living in your city with a trip to the zoo or aquarium…or both!

If you happen to have a Get Out Pass, there’s a good chance they include a free visit to your local zoo and or aquarium. We love using our passes each year to visit these attractions!

Don’t forget that if you purchase a Get Out Pass to use my code: SWEETFRUGALLIFE (code currently only available for Idaho, Utah, North California, North Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Washington and Colorado passes) for the cheapest price!

Fun Outdoor Staycation Activities For Families

Looking for some fun activities your family can do together in the great outdoors?? Check out some of the following ideas.

1. Go On A Picnic

Pack up a picnic lunch and go spend the day outside. You could picnic up in the mountains and take time exploring the forest. Or, maybe you would prefer a picnic at the beach playing in the waves and soaking up the sun. Another fun picnic place is a local park. Make sure to pack a few frisbees and spend time playing together as a family.

2. Go To The Beach

I do not live near a beach….but if I did it would be my first staycation activity!

Pack a beach bag full of food and sand toys and enjoy a beach day together as a family. You might enjoy exploring a few different beaches, maybe a new beach each day of your staycation….or just stick to your favorite! The joy of planning your staycation is that the choice is always yours!

3. Go On A Bike Ride

If your family owns bikes, going on a few bike rides is the perfect cheap staycation idea. Make a day out of it by packing a picnic and trying out a few new trails.

You could also rent some bikes if you don’t own any. The bike rental shop should have some recommendations of good bike trails to try! It’s always fun to try something new!

Related: 50 Fun Summer Activities For Kids

4. Take A Day Trip

I love to see new places, so a fun day trip is right up my alley. Try taking a day to explore a few nearby towns. You can try out a few restaurants and enjoy some of the activities the town has to offer.

5. Visit a U-Pick Farm

Take your family to a local U-Pick farm and enjoy the fresh grown produce. After you are done picking, bring it home and, depending on what you picked, you can can it, freeze it, or make some homemade treats!

My family loves driving up the mountains every summer and picking huckleberries. We always bring them home and make huckleberry pancakes for dinner!

Related: Easy Huckleberry Muffin Recipe

6. Have A Lake Day

Another cheap staycation idea is to enjoy a day with your family at the lake. You could rent a few kayaks, pack a picnic and enjoy relaxing in nature!

7. Go Hiking

Hiking is a great way to disconnect from life (including phones!) and spend time connecting with each other. It gives you the time to talk, share stories, and make memories. I love taking my family into nature to teach them a different way to relax and relieve stress.

8. Spend A Day At A National Park

I’ve lived within 2 hours of Yellowstone National Park for the majority of my life…..but I am embarrassed to admit that I don’t go to the park as often as I should.

If you are like me and live within driving distance of a National Park you might enjoy using your staycation time to finally go enjoy it for all it’s glory.

National Parks allow free entry to everyone about 4 days each year. They also have a pass for 4th graders to get in free. Make sure to look up details about both of these awesome opportunities to make your cheap staycation even better!

9. Play Your Favorite Sport

My family loves going outside and playing a sport together. Honestly, none of us are all that athletic, but we just enjoy being active and having fun together.

We love to play about anything! But our favorites are soccer, baseball and kickball.

Playing a sport together as a family is the perfect cheap staycation idea.

10. Go Bird Watching

Help your kids learn more about birds through a bird watching activity. Get a bird watchers book for the library, or this one from Amazon and learn all about birds!

Afterwards you could come home and play my favorite boardgame, Wingspan. It will add to the bird watching theme day!

Nothing Wrong With Cheap Staycations

I want to stress that there is nothing wrong with taking your kids on a staycation. I know that the flashy vacations you see on instagram look like the ideal family time….and those are great! But really, the most important things is spending time together as a family.

Don’t feel guilty if all you can afford is a budget friendly staycation….feel proud that you are taking the time to plan special memories for your kids.

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I hope your family enjoys these cheap staycation ideas!

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Cheap Snack Ideas For Kids

Sweet Frugal Life — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:17:47 +0000

Snack Ideas Kids Will Love

If your kids are anything like my kids, than they seem to always be hungry. My kids can eat through a pantry of snacks quicker than I can count to ten! Over the years I have started brainstorming cheap snack ideas for kids so that they can fill up their ever growing bodies, be (somewhat) nutritious, and also won’t cost me an arm and a leg.

Below you will find a few of the best frugal snack ideas for kids. These snacks are perfect for on the go, after school, or everywhere in between. Budget friendly and parent approved! Yay!

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Homemade Cheap Snack Ideas For Kids

These frugal snack ideas will require a little bit of preplanning and effort in the kitchen. But I promise the result is worth the extra time!

Homemade Graham Crackers

My kids love when I make these homemade graham crackers. They are easy, delicious and fun to customize the shape depending on the season!

Muffins

Muffins make for great snacks and are super quick and easy to whip up. There are so many different types of muffins, a couple of our favorites are this Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate chip muffin recipe, and this Huckleberry Muffin Recipe.

Banana Bread

Don’t throw away bananas that are overripe, instead use them to make this quick banana bread recipe. This recipe is so moist and easy. It’s been a favorite in my family for a few generations!

Homemade Popsicles

Homemade popsicles aren’t just for summer, they make a great treat for all year round! We love to make popsicles with juice, leftover smoothies, or pureed fruit, it really just depends on what we food we have in the fridge.

Smoothies are also a great way to use up any extra produce before it goes bad. We freeze our popsicles in popsicle molds bought from Amazon!

Cake Mix Cookies

Stock up on box cake mix when it goes on sale and use it to make these 3 ingredient cake mix cookies. They are easy to customize to meet your current craving, and super easy to throw together.

Partly Homemade Snacks For Kids

If you don’t have the time or energy to make homemade snacks from scratch, you might want to try some of these partly homemade snack ideas. They will require a little bit of effort to throw together, but not as much as the ideas above.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a staple at my house. It’s cheap, quick to prepare, and somewhat healthy. I like to buy popcorn kernels and pop them over the stove in a little bit of oil, or you could buy a popcorn maker from Amazon for a decent price.

You can even change up the flavor by sprinkling on some yummy seasonings. My kids especially love using parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder or seasoning salt.

Related: 10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Cinnamon Toast

I learned about cinnamon toast from my husbands family and I’ve loved it ever since. It’s super simple and the kids love it!

All you have to do is butter a slice of bread, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top and then bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until toasted. It’s so good!

Cheese Quesadilla

Cheese Quesadillas are another cheap snack idea you can easily make at home. They are delicious and quick to throw together for after school or when you’re rushing out the door. Tortillas are fairly cheap to buy at the store, and even cheaper to make yourself.

Smoothies

I love stocking up on fresh fruit when it’s in season and then freezing it in bulk. The frozen fruit is perfect for making budget friendly smoothies.

Frugal bonus tip: Pour any extra smoothie into a freezer container and store it in the freezer. The frozen smoothie can be put into your kids lunchboxes for a quick and easy school lunch treat. These are a huge hit with my kids!

Ants On A Log

Ants on a log is a fun and quick snack. It’s made by spreading peanut butter on top of celery and then adding a few raisins! Easy peasy!

Yogurt Parfaits

Making a yogurt parfait is easy. Just layer yogurt with berries and then top it off with granola. You could even try making your own yogurt (something I haven’t tried yet….) for even more savings!

Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas

Another quick to fix snack for kids is cinnamon sugar tortillas. All you have to do is spread butter over the top of a flour tortilla and then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake the tortilla in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-20 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Lastly, cut it into triangles using a pizza cutter and enjoy! It’s one of my kids favorite after school snacks.

Related: How To Make Flour Tortillas

Grab and Go Snack Ideas For Kids

If you are in a hurry, or just don’t feel like cooking, try a few of these grab and go cheap snacks for kids. They require little/none preparation and are tasty, but frugal!

Frozen Grapes

Have you ever tried frozen grapes? They are so so SO delicious! I love to stock up on grapes when they go on sale, and then freeze them in a freezer bag. They taste like a yummy popsicle and are the perfect cheap snack for kids.

Fresh Fruit

One of our favorite frugal snacks is fresh fruit. I like to watch sales at local grocery stores and buy whatever fruit in on sale. I’ve learned that if I set fruit out on the counter, my kids are much more likely to grab it when they are looking for a snack.

Related: Best Ways To Store Produce To Keep It Fresh Longer

Cheese & Crackers

Who doesn’t love cheese and crackers??? It’s a classic cheap snack and for good reason! Stock up on crackers when they go on sale so you can help your kids enjoy cheese and crackers for an easy and frugal afternoon snack.

Raisins

Raisins are great to grab and eat on their own, or you can mix them with some nuts and chocolate chips for a cheap trail mix snack. Make sure to buy the raisins in bulk for the best value.

Apples and Peanut Butter

We love the delicious apples and peanut butter snack at our house. You can serve the peanut butter as an apple dip, or our favorite thing to do is slice the apples with a mandolin and top each slice with peanut butter and chocolate chips! So yummy!!!

Cheerios

Ok, I know it’s basic, but cheerios is one of the best cheap snack ideas for kids because it’s not only frugal, it’s also quick, easy and loved by all! Basically a win all around! Make sure to watch grocery sales because cheerios are often marked down and available as a rebate with many cashback apps.

Cheese

Cheese is the perfect quick snack! I like to buy a large block of cheese (Costco usually has the best prices) and cut it into individual slices/cubes for even more convenient snacking.

Applesauce

I love canning jars and jars of applesauce every fall. I try to buy a couple of boxes of apples when the price drops to 50 cents/lb and turn them all into applesauce.

It’s true that not everyone loves to can, and that’s fine! You can buy applesauce and it is still a frugal snack.

Pretzels

Pretzels are another cheap snack idea for kids. They are perfect for a quick grab and go snack or as a lunchbox filler. Pretzels are consistently one of the cheaper snack options in the grocery store, and almost always kid approved! Yay!

Best Frugal Snacks

There are so many options when searching for the best frugal snacks! We can feed our kids and their love for snacks without having to hurt our grocery budget.

What To Do When Grocery Prices Rise

Easy After School Snack Ideas

Mel’s Home Cooking Recipe Book

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What are your favorite cheap snack ideas for kids?

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Best Christmas Traditions For Families On A Budget

Sweet Frugal Life — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 06:48:24 +0000

Frugal Christmas Activities To Do This Year.

Are you looking for the best Christmas traditions for families on a budget? I’ve got you covered in this article!

Christmas is just my very very favorite season. I love the lights, the snow, planning that perfect gift for a loved one, and the joy I feel from everyone around me. It truly is the most magical time of the year!

This fun holiday makes December the perfect month for establishing frugal family christmas traditions. My hope is that one day my little family will look back on their childhood and remember the sweet memories and traditions we made together year after year.

The best part about traditions is that you do not have to spend a lot of money to make these memories with your family. A lot of activities can be done completely FREE! Here are 20 of the best frugal Christmas traditions for families.

Frugal Christmas Activities For Families

I hope you find one, or many traditions to start with your family this year! Time passes fast, we have to enjoy every single moment while we can!

1. Decorate the Christmas Tree

Each year our family hikes through the forest to cut down our very own fresh Christmas tree. This is one of my favorite things to do all year!

After we find that “perfect” tree we bring it home, turn on some Christmas music and spend a fun evening decorating it together. Our Christmas tree is decorated with salt dough ornaments, candy canes, and all the things that bring sentimentality and love to my life. The ornaments made by the hands of my sweet children are ones I will cherish forever!

2. Read Christmas Stories By The Christmas Tree

Another frugal Christmas tradition that I love is reading a Christmas story by the Christmas tree each night. It’s such a sweet and magical time as a family.

Every night for the entire month of December we turn off the lights in our house, sit in front of the lit up Christmas tree, and read a Christmas Story. I’ve been collecting sweet holiday short stories from the internet and Christmas picture books from thrift stores. I try to buy one or two used Christmas books each year and have slowly increased my collection over the years.

3. Look At Christmas Lights

One of the best family Christmas traditions for families on a budget is to drive around looking at Christmas lights. We love during this activity each year and have found a few favorite neighborhoods that we like to visit.

I always pop some popcorn for the kids (and me!) to snack on during the drive and the kids bring a blanket and wear their pajamas. Of course, we have our favorite holiday music on in the background. It is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to enjoy the holidays together as a family.

Related: Easily Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

4. Bake Holiday Goodies

I mean really, does it get any better than holiday baking?? I think NOT! With hundreds of different recipes and treats to choose from, we could be baking all month long!

Holiday baking is a great frugal Christmas tradition to do with kids. My kids love to help in the kitchen, ESPECIALLY if they know treats are involved! A few of our holiday favorites are gingerbread men, cinnamon candy, pretzels dipped in chocolate, Christmas tree cookies, and homemade toffee.

5. Deliver Neighbor Gifts

After all the holiday baking it’s so fun to deliver those yummy homemade goodies to friends and neighbors. This is a great activity to get the kids involved with.

Package the goodies onto a cute plate, add a homemade card and spend an evening bringing some joy to your neighborhood. I love this tradition and the way it brings a community together.

Related: Cheap Christmas Gifts for Neighbors, Teachers, and Friends

6. Christmas Countdown With An Advent Calendar

My kids love counting down for Christmas each day with our homemade advent calendar. We have one very similar to this Christmas Tree Calendar. Each day they get to put a new ornament on the tree. I love watching their faces light up as the tree fills with ornaments. When the tree is full, Christmas is here. It makes the long wait a little bit easier for the excited kids!

7. Watch A Christmas Movie

Plan an evening and have a Christmas movie night together as a family. I love snuggling up with my family and watching a feel good holiday movie together. We enjoy classics like; It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas; or a newer family favorite like Elf. It really is one of the best Christmas traditions for families on a budget.

Netflix has a lot of great Christmas movie options, or check out a few from your local library.

8. Make A Christmas Craft

There are hundreds of darling Christmas Craft ideas all over Pinterest. These are so fun to do with the kids during a school holiday break. Be creative and try making a new craft every year. It will be so fun to look back on crafts made over the years.

Related: Best Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

9. Make Paper Snowflakes

Homemade paper snowflakes can add a fun and whimsical look to your home, plus they are free!. Spend an afternoon cutting out paper snowflakes with your family and hang them all around your house.

Here is an easy paper snowflake tutorial to follow. It’s such a joy to see every snowflake, each with a different unique design.

10. Host A Christmas Eve Dinner

I love hosting my families annual Christmas Eve dinner. It’s a fun way to get together with friends or family and celebrate the holiday. We always eat a big dinner (potluck to spread out the work and cost) and play a few Christmas games. It’s simple and basic, but one of my favorite traditions.

11. Write Letters To Santa

Another fun Christmas tradition for families on a budget is to write letters to Santa Clause. I am personally not a huge fan of the traditional letters to Santa, where the kids ask for all the things they want to be brought to them.

Instead, I have my kids write to tell Santa about all of the good and nice things they have done throughout the year. My hope is this will encourage them to focus more on being kind and less on materialistic things.

12. Light the World

We have been participating in Light the World for the past few years. Light the World is a campaign sponsored by my church. It encourages families to look for ways to serve within their family, community and in the world. It is absolutely open to EVERYONE! The focus is less about religion, and more on giving others service and love.

There are so many different ways to serve and love others. Bake cookies for your local fire department, participate in Operation Shoe box, volunteer at a local soup kitchen, or become “Secret Santa” for a family in need. I love having my kids participate in this and have found it really brings the true spirit of Christmas into our home.

Related: 11 Acts of Kindness This Christmas (without spending a lot of money)

13. Act out the Nativity

Every Christmas Eve my kids act out the nativity as an adult reads the story out of Luke 2. The kids dress up as Mary, Joseph, The Wise Men, etc.

I love this tradition and how it helps us focus on the reason for the season. It really is one of the best Christmas traditions for families on a budget.

14. Make a Ginger Bread House

Spend an afternoon making a ginger bread house with your family. You can usually find fairly cheap gingerbread kits at your local grocery store. One year we just used graham crackers and homemade frosting. For decorations we used items we already had in my pantry, like chocolate chips, marshmallows and almonds.

It really doesn’t matter how fancy of a house you build, all that matters is that you’re spending time with your loved ones and participating in family friendly Christmas activities.

15. Have A Christmas Cookie Exchange

Invite some friends over for an annual Christmas Cookie Exchange! It’s an easy party to throw, just ask everyone to bring a dozen cookies and enjoy socializing and taste testing all of the different holiday cookies.

You might even find a new favorite recipe! One of my favorite Christmas cookie are these Christmas Tree Cookies.

16. Send Out A Christmas Email

Instead of following the traditional tradition of sending out Christmas cards, try sending out a Christmas email instead. This is a much cheaper option (hello free!) and still a fun way to reach out to friends and family. You can include a few pictures and a short update of what your family has been up to over the past year. I have even seen some free email card services you could look into!

17. Host A White Elephant Party

Host a White Elephant Party at your home. Ask everyone to bring a wrapped gift (something they already have around their house) and then play a fun gift exchange game.

This is a fun way to exchange gifts with friends, without having to spend a lot of money on everyone. It’s also sure to bring a lot of laughs!!

Related: How To Play Fish Bowl

18. Make A Hot Chocolate Bar

Set up a hot chocolate bar on Christmas Day. Keep it simple to prevent overspending. A few peppermint sticks, some marshmallows and whipped cream are all budget friendly ideas. Try out my easy homemade hot chocolate mix recipe for something quick and delicious you can make at home.

19. Attend A Christmas Concert Or Event

Look around your community for free Christmas Concerts and Events happening around town. Does your city put on a free nativity, light parade or other special concerts? You can usually find at least a few Christmas Concerts at the local high school this time of year.

Pick one or a few of these activities you can attend as a family. Many of them will be free, or maybe just a few dollars. It’s a fun way to spend a night out of the house and support your community.

20. Cookies for Santa and Reindeer Food

My kids love setting out milk and cookies for Santa Clause on Christmas Eve. It’s such a sweet and fun Christmas tradition for families.

Consider going one step further and make some Reindeer Food. This is so easy to do by mixing oats and glitter together. Sprinkle the magic reindeer food out in your yard to help the reindeer find your house.

Spend Time Together

I hope you enjoyed these ideas for some of the best Christmas traditions for families on a budget.

The most important part of family traditions is that you focus on spending time together. It doesn’t always matter what you do, as long as you are focused on each other.

Best Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

How to Save Money For Christmas

Easily Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

Pin For Next Christmas:

What are some other fun Christmas traditions for families on a budget?

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Road Trip On A Budget

Sweet Frugal Life — Fri, 12 May 2023 23:05:46 +0000

How to save money on a family road trip.

My family and I are currently in the process of preparing for a spring break road trip. We are so excited to spend quality time together and look forward to visiting a few sights, like the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and more! Traveling by car can be a very frugal way to sight see, but like any vacation, expenses will add up quickly. Today I’m sharing a few tips to help you road trip on a budget.

Budget Friendly Road Trip Hacks

I am a huge proponent of the fact that you can still have FUN, enjoy life, and live on a BUDGET. It’s possible!! Planning a vacation around a road trip is a great way to have fun without spending a lot of money. However, expenses can add up on, even when traveling by vehicle.

So, here are a few ways you can save money on a family road trip…so that you can spend your hard earned money in other ways.

1. Plan Ahead

One of the most important parts of road tripping on a budget is to plan ahead. I suggest planning for your road trip a few months in advance (or as soon as you decide to travel). There are a lot of factors to consider when making a good road trip plan. Don’t forget to include:

Making a budget (don’t forget to include gas, food, attractions, and miscellaneous)
Researching/planning places to eat, sleep and things to do
Meal planning/prep for foods you will pack and make yourself
Looking over the best route for driving

As you are making your road trip plan be sure you plan as frugally as possible using the tips below. Give yourself enough time to research and plan ahead so that you will be able to find the most affordable options and frugal hacks.

Related: The Best Budget Travel Tips

How To Save Money on Road Trip Food

There are many ways to save money on road trip food. Below are a few of my favorite hacks!

2. Pack Your Own Food

One of my favorite parts of road tripping is the food. There is just nothing better than munching on snacks, while listening to a good audiobook, and watching the scenery go by! To save money on road trip food is important to pack as much as you can from home.

Buying food from gas stations and restaurants will get expensive fast. And most tourist grocery stores will have higher prices than your local grocery store. However, if you plan ahead (remember that little planning tip we already talked about ) and pack your own food in the car, you will be able to save a lot of money.

Here are a few of our favorite food to pack on a road trip:

Fresh fruit
Carrot sticks
Deli sandwiches
Bagels with cream cheese
Peanut butter sandwich
Granola bars
Muffins
Pita wraps
Nuts
Jerky
Popcorn
Pretzels
Yogurt
Salad

3. Skip Restaurants & Eat At The Grocery Store

Ok, hear me out on this one!

If you don’t love the idea of packing your own food for your budget friendly road trip, then consider stopping at grocery stores along the way to eat your meals, rather than stopping at restaurants to eat.

You can get delicious, high quality food at grocery stores, with much lower prices than you would spend at a restaurant. We love stopping at grocery stores for foods like deli sandwiches, friend chicken, fresh fruit and salads. Try it, you just might like it!

4. Stay At An Airbnb

Staying at an Airbnb is an easy way to save money on food expenses. Most Airbnbs will give you access to a full kitchen, making it possible to cook all of your own meals, instead of eating out.

However, make sure to look at all of the hidden costs when booking an Airbnb to ensure that you really will be saving money. The cleaning and extra fees can really add up, which means that sometimes it isn’t always the cheapest option!

5. Stay In A Hotel With A Microwave/Fridge

You don’t have to book accommodations with a full kitchen to cook your own meals. A hotel room with a microwave and fridge will provide all that you need to whip up a few easy meals.

Here are a some of the meals my family likes to eat in our kitchenette hotel room:

Breakfast:

Muffins
Yogurt parfaits
Fruit
Cereal
Oatmeal

Lunch & Dinner:

Mac and Cheese
Sandwiches
Bagels with Cream Cheese
Fruit
Protein Drink
Salad
Cup of Noodles

6. Bring A Reusable Water Bottle

Avoid spending money on water bottles by packing your own reusable water bottle and filling it up with free water where available!

I personally love this Stanley dupe water bottle. It has a lot of really cute colors and great reviews.

7. Eat Out For Lunch Instead of Dinner

If you do decide to go out to eat for a few meals, make sure to eat out for lunch instead of dinner. Most restaurants will offer a cheaper menu during lunch hours, so that you can get the same product for a better price.

8. Stay somewhere with a free breakfast

Make sure to always book a hotel that offers a free breakfast. A free breakfast will give you one less meal you’ll have to pay for during the day. Take advantage of the free breakfast by filling up so you can eat lighter for your other meals.

9. Split A Meal

A great restaurant hack to save extra money is to order one meal and split it between two people! This gives you two meals for the price of one! You could even decide to eat half of your meal and then save the other half for lunch the next day!

Related: How to Save Money When Eating Out

10. Take Advantage of Happy Hour

Many restaurants offer discount prices during happy hour. It’s easy to do a quick google search to find restaurants nearby that participate in happy hour. Plan your meals around those times and restaurants for the best discounts.

How to Save Money On Sleeping Accommodations

Taking your time and using patience is the best way to book budget friendly sleeping accommodations. There are deals available…but it takes a little bit of searching and research!

11. Shop Around For Sleeping Accommodations

Prices for the same hotel can differ on each website. Make sure to take your time comparing multiple websites to find the best deal.

Next, call the hotel directly to ask if they can offer you an even lower price than what you found on the website. Often if you call the hotel directly they will give you an even better deal than you found online.

Another option for finding good hotel deals is to use a bidding website, such as Priceline. We used Priceline when booking a hotel for our trip to New York City and ended up staying in a beautiful hotel, with a fantastic room and in the perfect location….and it was a great price!

Make sure to book your hotel using the Rakuten cashback app! It will often give you an extra 1-10% cashback on your hotel stay.

Related: The Best Cash Back Apps

12. Consider Camping

If you are really wanting to save money on overnight stays, you might want to consider camping somewhere. Camping can be a much cheaper than a hotel room, especially if you already have your own camping equipment.

You could camp while sleeping in your car, or pack along a tent and sleeping bag to set up. My kids love to camp and any chance we get to do it into a fun family adventure. Camping is a great way to see new places while enjoying the fresh air.

Related: Easy Tin Foil Dinner Recipe

13. Stay With Friends Or Family

Another super cheap way to save money on lodging is to ask friends or family if you could stay with them for a night. They will love being able to catch up and host their loved ones!

Make sure to bring a nice thank you card or fresh flowers to show your gratitude!

How To Save Money On Entertainment

Try to have some fun while on your road trip! My family loves getting to enjoy some of the fun things each of our destinations has to offer. Fortunately, there are so many fun and free things you can do while traveling which makes frugality easy! I’ve listed a few ideas below for your road trip on a budget!

14. Visit Free Attractions

Road trips are a great way to see more of the world, and a lot of that can be done for free! Look for free museums, zoos, or road side attractions that you can stop and visit. Your family might also enjoy going on a hike, picnic, or playing in a nearby lake.

Talk to locals, and do some online research to find the best free attractions in the places you’ll be visiting. You just might be surprised at how many you find!

Related: Free Things To Do In Salt Lake City
Related: 20 Free Things To Do In New York City

15. Get A National Parks Pass

An annual National Parks Pass is only $80! There are so many fun and interesting things to see and do in our national parks, that $80 investment can bring a lot of fun and memories to your road trip.

There are also a few frugal hacks to purchasing a national parks pass, you can read all about them here.

16. Use Coupons

When planning activities for your road trip, be sure to look into any coupons available. I like to find coupons using Groupon, searching on google, or checking local facebook groups.

17. Free Audiobooks

Listening to audiobooks is a great way to pass time while driving. And guess what?!?! You don’t have to spend any money to listen to audiobooks! There are so many free resources out there for your enjoyment! Be sure to check out my full list here: Free Audiobook Resources.

How To Save Money On Gasoline When Road Tripping

One of the bigger expenses when it comes to a road trip is paying for gas. As fuel prices keep climbing, consumers continue to look for new ways to save money. Here are a few tips that might help.

18. Drive Smart

The first way to save money on fuel is to drive smart! Smart driving will help you get the most out of your car mileage.

Slightly changing the way you drive can make a big difference on your fuel consumption. Slamming on your breaks or speeding up quickly will hurt your gas mileage. Instead, try to get into the habit of accelerating and braking slowly and gradually. It really does make a difference!

You’ll also find yourself saving money by driving at a decreased speed. Driving at a speed of 65 mph is a good rule of thumb to get the best gas mileage.

Related: More Ways To Save Money On Gas

19. Use Upside Cashback App When Getting Gas

I’ve recently started using the free GetUpside app and loving it! All you have to do is download the app and you will be able to see the gas offers in your area. Choose the offer you want, the offers I’ve received have been anywhere from 15 cents/gallon – 1 cent/gallon cashback. After you select the offer you want to redeem, just go fill up with gas and scan your receipt into the GetUpside app. It’s all really easy! I’ve been using it for about a month and have earned $10 already! Yay!

20. Use the Gas Buddy App

The best way to find which gas station will be the best deal is to download and start using the free Gas Buddy app to help you find the cheapest gas in your area.

It’s really easy to use! Just download the app and enter in your location. The app will then search to find the gas prices near you. Scroll through your options until you find the best deal and use that station to fill up!

The prices will change and vary day to day, so check the app each time you need gas.

Other Ways To Save Money On Your Road Trip

Here are a few other ways you can cut costs on your next family road trip.

21. Avoid Traveling During Holidays

Holiday travel tends to make prices in all areas increase. If you can, try to plan your trips over non-holiday weekends. This will save you money on gas, activities, and lodging.

22. Pack instead of buy

Reduce the amount of items you will have to buy on your road trip by planning ahead and packing as much as you can. Don’t forget to pack medication, band aids, all of the shoes you will need, jackets, and any other gear you think will be useful.

There is nothing worst than getting to your destination to realize you have to go to the store and buy something that you forgot to pack.

23. Avoid Toll Roads

Toll roads are often an unexpected expense. Make sure to plan your driving route to avoid having to pay these tolls.

Use google maps to find the best non-toll road route. This is easily done by clicking on the “avoid tolls” button in the “plan route” section.

24. Invite A Friend

Inviting a friend on your frugal road trip is another great way to reduce costs. Together you can split the cost of gasoline, lodging, and even meals at restaurants! Plus, you’ll make countless memories!

In Conclusion

Don’t let frugality stop you from exploring and having fun. Instead, have fun in a frugal way! I hope these ideas help you to have an incredibly fun road trip on a budget!

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A road trip on a budget is possible!

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Parenting Archives - Sweet Frugal Life

Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

Budget Friendly Teen Girl Gift Ideas.

Gifts for Fun

Teen Girl Gifts For Accessorizing

Teen Girl Gift Ideas For Beauty

Books

Room Decorations

Teen Girl Active Gifts

In Conclusion

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I hope this list helped you find some gift ideas for teen girls under $25!

How To Make Frugal Living Fun

You can still have fun and enjoy life while living on a budget!

Having Fun While Saving Money

Make It A Game

Free Community Events

Fun Free Things You Can Do At Home

Free Things To Do Outside

Free Things To Do As A Group

You Can Make Frugal Living Fun

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Have fun while saving money and living on a budget!

Gifts For 3-4 Year Old Girls Under $25

Budget Friendly Gift Guide For 3 and 4 Year Old Girls

Educational Toys For 3-4 Year Old Girls

Wooden Jig Saw Puzzle

LeapFrog 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch

Classic Card Game Set

Imaginative Play Gifts for 3-4 Year Old Girls

Flower Garden Building Kit

Outdoor Exploration Kit

Safari Buddies Hand Puppets

Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Wooden Cookie Play Set

Play Makeup Set

Toy Microphone

Doll Stroller

Disney Princess Color Reveal Doll

Crafting Gifts For Kids Between Ages 3-4 Year Old Girls

Color Wonder Coloring Book

Playdough Set

Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets

Clothing Gifts For Girls Ages 3-4

Disney Princess Nightgown

Unicorn Onesie

Minnie Mouse Purse

Active Gifts For Girls Under $25

Foam Pogo Stick

Stomp Rocket

Gift Ideas For Her Bedroom

Butterfly Squishmallow

Unicorn Jewelry Box

Star Night Light

Book Gift Ideas For 3-4 Year Old Girls Under $25

Busy Book

The Pout Pout Fish Book

Today I’ll Be A Princess Book

In Conclusion

More Frugal Gift Guides

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Best gift ideas for 3-4 year old girls under $25!

How To Save Money On Kids Sports

Frugal tips for youth participating in sports

1. Shop Thrift Stores

2. Limit The Amount Of Sports

3. Shop Around For Different Leagues

4. Choose Rec Leagues Over Club Leagues

5. Sign All Of Your Kids Up For The Same Sport

6. Look Into School Sports

7. Carpool To Practice, Games and Tournaments

8. Pack Snacks and Meals From Home

9. Volunteer Your Time

10. Hire A Teen Instructor

In Conclusion

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Enjoy these budget friendly hacks for kids who play sports!

How To Get Free Stuff On Your Birthday

Places that give you birthday freebies.