Frugal Picnic Nightby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 15 Jun 2009 07:03 AM
When the weather warms up, my kids are always clamoring for the park. One fun way to enjoy the park and get out of a warm house is to visit the park around dinner time. We eat dinner on one of the picnic benches, and then after dinner is done, mom and dad pack up while the kids play on the equipment. Afterwards, we walk or bike around the path as a family. It is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, and let the kids run off their energy before bedtime. You might say that this activity has become somewhat of a tradition for us. Previously, what we had been doing was to pick up a pizza using coupons from our local favorite pizza place. While this was definitely cheaper that eating in the restaurant, especially since we brought our own bottled water, I was getting tired of spending $20 each time we enjoyed dinner in the park. There are five of us, plus we often bring along one or two little friends, so two large pizzas is the minimum. Last night I decided to change the pizza theme for a homemade dinner that was still quick to make, quick to eat and kids friends. As my husband was getting the kids ready to go, I quickly boiled a package of hot dogs, made a salad and assembled the buns, ketchup, dinnerware, napkins and water. The total cost for all of this? $5.50, plus we had some leftovers to take back home for lunch the next day. The quick dinner did so well that I am going to wrack my brain for other easily transportable and kid-friendly dinner ideas that can be made in 15 minutes. Any thoughts? You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here! or subscribe to this blog using the subscription box on the right. Favorite Deal Websites: Related Articles: Things to Do with Expired Coupons A Guide to Salvage Grocery Shopping A Guide to Salvage Grocery Shopping 2 Five Little Grocery Shopping Tricks: Shelf Placement Coping with the Grocery Shrink Ray Adjusting Your Price Book with Escalating Grocery Costs Frugal Night (or Day) at the Movies Getting Your Home Ready for Summer Vacation Tips for Saving Money at the Circus Tips for Saving Money at the Circus 2 Tips for Saving Money at the Circus 3 36 Money Making Ideas for Kids and Teens Planning Your Frugal Summer Travel Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments  Cat-Mom-of-3 (180) 15 Jun 2009 09:13 AMWhat a fun idea! I am going to try this one now that school is almost done, no more homework! I also like to use our community pool and BBQ area for a similar dinner night "out". Something as simple as leftover chicken on a french roll and a fruit salad on skewers make a nice easly meal on the go too! Tashi (1013) 15 Jun 2009 09:25 AMI'm just a single chick with no kids, so please forgive me if this idea would, in reality, not work for you. How about browning up some ground beef, preparing some shredded lettuce and chopped up tomatoes, packing up some shredded cheese, and bringing along wither hard or soft taco shells? Too messy, etc.? :-) Just the first thing that popped into my head. Good luck!! Nice article, btw! Tashi (1013) 15 Jun 2009 09:27 AMEr, I meant, "...either hard or soft taco shells." My bad. :-) Who wants wilty taco shells, when they're supposed to be hard and crunchy?  ups477 (54) 15 Jun 2009 09:32 AMMan, now I miss having my kids home again. Empty Nest Syndrome!!!! We use to do that all the time! I was a single mom with 3 boys. Had to find cheap ways to keep the kids happy in the summer. We normally did cold fried chicken (Left over from night before) or each made their own sack lunch of their choice of what we had in fridge or freezer. They loved it and I see they are doing it with their own kids still LOL!!!!  thequeenofthecastle (413) 17 Jun 2009 04:42 PMWe love pitas with hummus, leftover chicken... just about anything you have on hand. I also love to make some pudding and throw on some frozen berries on top and put them in little dixie cups. The berries are perfect amount of frozen/defrosted by the time you're ready for them at the park and then just toss the cups. I usually cover the tops with a bit of saran wrap and a rubber band. Community Tags Kids, picnic, park, summer camp Discuss this article
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