99 Ways to Entertain Your Family for Free!: Do Fun Things and Save Money!

Many children have forgotten how to play. They are easily bored. They don't have creative ideas or an imagination. The current generation of young people spends most of their free time watching TV, playing video games or using a computer. Shut off the electricity or ask them to spend the summer in a campground and they can't function. They don't know how to have good, old fashioned fun. Mack Thomas has created the perfect solution in his book, "99 Ways to Entertain your Family for Free!" I was surprised and delighted to see Bible verses and a Christian perspective. It is divided into 7 chapters: 1. Indoors 2. Outdoors 3. Around Town 4. Just Imagine 5. Out in Nature 6. Rituals and Routines 7. Holidays In each section you will find a variety of creative ideas for your family to enjoy together. Some ideas include holiday readings for Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln's birthday and more. I also loved his suggested read -aloud list based on the ages of children. His description of keeping a family journal of memories was wonderful. His outdoor game descriptions brought back nostalgic memories of my own childhood when we would stay outside in our yard, with the neighborhood kids, and play games like: Red Rover, Freeze Tag, Hide and Seek and Mother-May- I. We also spent hours in the woods with rakes, creating outdoor forts and homes. By the time we all went inside we were exhausted and ready for a good supper and quiet time with family. I appreciated Mack's descriptions and instructions on exactly how to play many of the games. This is an excellent book and much needed in our day. The next time your child says, "I'm Bored," pull this book off the shelf and teach them how we used to play in the old days. Mack Thomas is the father of five grown children and has written several children's books. I love the quote he had in the introduction, which really sums the book up for me: "To be happy at home is the end of all human endeavor." - Samuel Johnson. You can find more books in this series, including "99 Ways to Increase your Income;" and "99 Ways to Stretch your Home Budget." Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Press, for the purpose of sharing my opinion.

This book was full of surprises. Have you ever played Freeze Tag? How about Red Rover? Or Annie Over? I used to play them and they're a lot of fun, but I didn't think anyone today remembered them. What about board games? Do you plan family nights to play games together? Add a bowl of popcorn, and you have a very inexpensive night of fun. There's no better way to enjoy each other as a family, than to indulge in a rousing game of Scrabble. And there is even a list of books to read. Seven pages of them! So turn off the television, unplug the video games and get the family together for some quality time. This is a really neat little book and your family will love it. I guarantee it.

Let's face it kids are expensive! Have you tried taking 4 children out to eat? Have you looked at the prices of amusement parks? There are many things you can do with your children that are free. Mack Thomas offers suggestions for entertaining on less than a shoe string. Thomas begins by suggesting ideas for time at home with your children. Most kids enjoy board games, playing cards, playing dress up, and a variety of other suggestions. His outdoor suggestions are sure to please with Olympics, games with a ball, and bicycles. Kids love picnics, walks, sightseeing and scavenger hunts. Some of my favorite memories are watching clouds and deciding their shape. Let your imagination go wild. My favorite suggestion is one on one time such as reading to your children. Parents will cherish the suggestions in 99 Ways to Entertain Your Family For Free and children will cherish the time with their families.

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