Nature Play Saves You Money!

Everyone loves a good deal but parents seem to take it up a notch.  There are a massive amount of products (and food!) to buy when it comes to children - and I'm not even referring to the more fun, "frill" things. When it comes to saving money during the child rearing years, one strategy is just not to spend it in the first place.  As the old adage goes, a penny saved is a penny earned.  

Here are five ways we have saved money just by spending more time outside:

1) We can skip some extracurriculars.  

Many of the things that extracurriculars provide such as enhanced teamwork, problem solving skills and increased athleticism  all happen during a day at the park.  It doesn't take long before a group of kids is forging ahead building teepees out of fallen logs - and this is surely less expensive than a grade school engineering course.  Bring your paints or chalk along and a little nature notebook for the kids to work on their artistic skills.  You can't opt out of everything this way - but you can certainly forgo many things at least for the younger kids!

2) We can meal and snack plan to the finest detail.  

Additionally, the kiddos can only eat what you've brought along.  Celery sticks have never sounded so good when that is the only option.  If meal planning isn't your thing then skip to #3 - but if you that organized type you can definitely save money by choosing snack/picnic options ahead of time.

3)  We can keep money in our pocket when it comes to indoor play areas.  

We used to go to indoor play areas those a lot.  We would come home with considerably less money since there is an admission price per kid and because you typically can't bring your own food in with you. With five kids it's easily a $50 day for us. We also would come home with a considerable amount of germs.  Outdoor play offers a lot more in terms of variety and much less in terms of germs. We still do an indoor play place a few times a year when the weather is just too awful - but it's become much less of a norm and more of a treat!'

4)  We can forgo preschool. 

Preschool is a cultural norm and there are many fun elements to it - but in many cases it is not necessary for child development.  Research is clear that free play for children is what is best for their growth in all areas.  We have five kids which accounts for over $12,000 when you factor in two years of preschool each.  Their physical, social, emotional, and verbal development has still been notably improved - even with only that time outside and our oldest three have adjusted just fine to grade-school work without having the preschool experience.

5)  We can skip over the toy aisle more often.  

The toys we currently have our holding their appeal for much longer since we aren't around as much to play with them.  Additionally, outside play enhances our inside play.  Our kids are calmer and more imaginative after a day in the fresh air which helps the toys we currently have hold their appeal longer.