Enjoy a frugal 'family night in' without sacrificing the fun

(ARA) - It is no secret that more and more families are making tough decisions when it comes to their entertainment options due to the rising costs of "going out." But this doesn't mean that there is no fun to be had.

Instead, now is the time for families to get creative and enjoy time together by turning their home into an entertainment destination. There are a variety of ways to do this, and here are a few ideas for having a frugal "family night in" without sacrificing the fun:

Movie night: Start by picking a theme -- action flicks, comedies or even westerns. Once you pick a theme, why not dress up in character? The whole family will have fun putting their costumes together. Before the evening begins, gather the family and take a trip to your local grocery or convenience store to prepare for the night. Pick up a few snacks, a frozen pizza for dinner - or perhaps indulge a sweet tooth. Instead of driving to a local video store, simply rent a DVD at redbox on your way out. Available in grocery stores and other popular retail locations throughout the area, redbox is a fully automated DVD rental kiosk featuring the latest new releases for a low nightly rate.

Game night: Playing games can be a great way for families to spend time together. Not only are they fun but they can help foster manners like sportsmanship. Let each family member pick one game for everyone to play. It doesn't really matter what games you play as long as everyone gets to participate. Keep score and give out a prize to the winner of the night - perhaps the winner gets to pick out the next game or can sit in the pre-designated winner's chair.

Dinnertime fun: Turn the kitchen into a full-service restaurant. Plan a fun, multi-step meal and assign each family member a responsibility. Pick a head chef, a sous chef and at least one person to set the table. Or, assign each family member a meal course. You might even choose a menu from somewhere around the world, like Greece, Italy or Mexico - then at dinner learn about that country. Pose questions and see who knows the answer; you might learn something new.

One last tip that may help you fund any one of these activities is to use your spare change that many consider "found money." Let your kids hunt for change around the house or dust off the family coin jar and head to a Coinstar machine at your local grocery store or other retailer. The average household has $90 in spare change and this could easily fund your "family night in."

Don't let the rising costs of going out keep you from having fun. Stay in and enjoy the time being with family. You never know when you might create a memory that lasts a lifetime.

To find a redbox location near you, download the free iPhone app from redbox or reserve a movie online, visit www.redbox.com. To locate a Coinstar Center, visit www.coinstar.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent