Take advantage of these low-cost ideas for family fun over Thanksgiving break to enjoy each other’s company without going over your budget.

Cook With Your Kids

Eating together as a family leads to healthier, happier children. Plan a meal that’s fun, nutritious and inexpensive. For example, consider putting out bowls of healthy toppings for pizzas and letting everyone create their own. You could do the same with tacos, enchiladas, pancakes or grilled sandwiches. Cook your entree together, add a salad or fruit and sit down as a family to eat.

Get to Know Local Parks

Being active as a family is good for everyone’s health. Most neighborhood and city parks are free. Most counties and cities have websites advertising free or low-cost community events at the parks. Don’t forget nearby national and state parks, which can offer budget-friendly activities in beautiful settings. Even as the days grow shorter and colder, you can dress for the season and take a nature walk or hike, play Frisbee or tag or fly kites when the weather cooperates.

Check Out Your Public Library – In Person and Online

Public libraries offer many activities for children, including puppet shows, storytelling, arts and crafts and music performances. Many host book clubs for adults where everyone is welcome. Even if your local library is not offering programs over Thanksgiving weekend, your family can enjoy browsing for books together and checking them out for free with a library card.

Some libraries let you check out free passes to museums and other local sites using your library card. Contact your local library to find out whether they have activity passes and how you can reserve them.

At many public libraries, once you have a library card, you don’t even need to go to the library in person to find entertainment options for the family. Many libraries offer free online streaming of movies, TV shows and music that everyone can enjoy together. Explore your local library’s website for options.

Watch for Free Events

Check online for community calendars that may list free and low-cost activities. In Stark County, events for families over the 2023 Thanksgiving weekend include Free Kids Friday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Nov. 24 and a Drive-Thru Holiday Light Display at Stadium Park. Other activities can be found on the Visit Canton website. In Wayne County, families can view ice sculptures and see Santa Claus during Orrville’s Home for the Holidays event, which runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24. During Home for the Holidays, local businesses will offer activities, snacks and more.

Berlin in Holmes County holds a live Nativity parade the evening of Nov. 24. In Tuscarawas County, the YMCA’s Turkey Trot 5K run/walk in Dover at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day accepts participants until registration closes at 8:15 a.m. Participants pay a registration fee, but your family can watch the race for free. In Mahoning County, the Arms Family Museum is offering a buy one, get one free admission to Memories of Christmas Past from Nov. 18-26 for each person who brings a canned good to support Project Feed Our Valley.

Have a Family Game Night

Board games are great, and you can also think outside the box. Try a game that gets you moving, such as charades, a dance contest, a sock toss or balloon games.

By exploring these opportunities, you can stave off boredom over break and grow closer as a family in the process.