Let’s face it – families are struggling financially these days. But does that mean they should struggle for entertainment? Spending time with family is one of the most important things in life, but doing things together as a family shouldn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are a few ideas for some inexpensive, but invaluable family fun.

Camp out at home: Get a bag of marshmallows and some sticks and sit around a backyard fire pit or your grill for some s ’mores and family bonding time.

Old-School Dancing With the Stars: Show the kids how you danced in “your day.” Get out the old record player and spin the vinyl. Show them dances like the bunny hop, the stroll or the hand jive.

Have a themed dinner night: Whether it’s pasta, homemade pizza night or Mexican night complete with tacos and burritos. Kids love to help cook and this is a way for the whole family to share in the fun.

Black and white night: Dig out some of your old movies on VHS or rent some old black and white movies, pop some popcorn and get lost in the “good old days.”

Let the kids teach you. We spend a lifetime teaching our children how to do a variety of things. Take an evening and turn the tables – let your kids teach you something they know how to do: play a video game, learn a computer task or their favorite dance.

The idea behind family date nights is simple – you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy special times with those you love.