Remember playing video games when you were younger? Chances are your children enjoy video games just as much as you did. But, did you ever consider getting the entire family involved in playing video games together? Why not? Thanks to the Nintendo Wii, everyone can enjoy video games. Even the Xbox 360 allows up to four players. This week, let's discuss how you turn those expensive gaming consoles you purchased at the holidays into family fun.

There are a variety of different video games for families to enjoy. If your family enjoys board games, there's always Monopoly. If you'd like to get the family into an exercise program, EA Sports for the Nintendo Wii is a wonderful option. You can even enjoy classic games that you played as a child. If you're worried about investing in a game your family won't like, don't be. There are ways to try the games before you buy them and score really good deals.

First of all, never purchase a video game without trying it out first. Many department stores have the latest games setup so that you can try before you buy. This is especially true for gaming bundles, such as EA Sports and Wii Fit. You can also rent games from companies like GameFly. Both of these options allow the family to try out the game and determine if it's a good choice for them.

If you're still worried about price, which can reach over $100 for some bundles, don't be. You must think about how much money you'll save over the long run. Think of how many nights you and your family can spend at home playing the new game. Of course, you may also consider pawn shops and yard sales, which are a wonderful place to score great deals on gaming systems and games.

Thanks to the new video games that are available, everyone can enjoy this activity. Whether it's board games, sports, or even taking the lead in a rock band, you're bound to find a game you and your family will love.

Most kids love to build things. They also like to participate in contests. This summer outdoor activity combines both and is simple and fun. Building their own sailboat and then watching their creation in action can make a child feel good about him or herself. It also is fun, provides fitness, and exercises creativity and thinking skills.

Toy sailboats can be designed by the child and parent. Another choice is to search the internet for free toy boat building instructions. Many hobby and toy stores also sell ready-made kits that simply need to be assembled. Judging by the child's age and experience, parents can decide which is best.

For more fun, the project can be made into an event with family and friends. Set up a building area in the local park or your own backyard. Each child should have the necessary supplies to complete his or her boat building project. Parents can decide whether all the kids will do the same project or whether they will each choose their own way to build their boats. Be sure to have snacks and refreshments, as the kids will be working hard.

Once the boats are built, they can be taken to a local pond, creek, or stream where the kids are allowed to race the boats. Determine a starting and finishing point. Be sure to watch which way the water current is flowing. That is the direction the boats will need to go. Determine a signal to start. When the kids see or hear that signal, they must drop their boats into the water at the starting point.

The kids will enjoy running alongside the water bank to keep up with their boats. Don't forget that kids should have appropriate footwear when running. You may see them cheering on their on boat, hoping it will beat the rest to the finish line. This provides great exercise and healthy competition. One or more kids may get disappointed if they don't win. It's all part of learning and growing. Prizes or award ribbons can be given to the winners for first, second, and third place.

Do you love to take your family out for steaks on Friday night, but feel your budget getting tighter and tighter? Then why not fix steaks at home? With the wonderful warm weather, right now is the perfect time to enjoy family night at home. You can break out the grill and create a delicious steak dinner that costs a fraction of what you would pay at the steakhouse. This week, we'll discuss how you and your family can enjoy a delicious steak dinner in the comfort of your own home.

The typical trip to a steakhouse for a family of four can really add up. In fact, even eating at a steakhouse chain can be quite expensive.

4 sirloin steak dinner $48
4 drinks $8
4 desserts $12

Total $$68

That's quite a large total when you're trying to live on a budget and even a buffet restaurant costs around $48 for a family of four. Thankfully, you can prepare a delicious, high quality meal for a much smaller price.

4 (8 ounce) sirloin steaks $10
4 baking potatoes $4
Sour Cream and Butter $4
Salad Mix $4
Salad Dressing $3
Rolls $4
Bakery dessert $6

Total: $31

The truth is you could even afford to serve rib eye steaks if you wanted. You'll always save money when you prepare your own meals. If you want to save even more money, consider stocking up when steaks go on sale and stashing them in the freezer.

You can make this a special meal by cooking and eating outside or even incorporating other family night activities into the evening. You could play music, have a movie marathon, or even break out some fun games. The fun part apart about having family night at home is being able to be with your family. You can be as loud as you want and do what you want. Best of all, you don't have to a leave a tip.

Though I wish I could make every trip to the grocery store on my own, it isn't always possible. If you have to load up the car with the kids before you can fill it with groceries, going into the store prepared can help you curb spending and keep everyone in the family in high spirits.

Go with a list
Make a list before you leave the house. If you are constantly bombarded by "Mommy, can we get this?" when you get to the store, include your children in the list writing process. Let each child add one healthy snack to the list, or get their input on the week's meals. Letting your children feel involved in the grocery shopping process helps them have a sense of ownership and may curb the gimmes once you hit the store.

Shop on a full stomach
Heading with hungry children to the grocery store can be as disastrous as going with no list. Not only does a hungry mommy spend more and go off the list with more frequency, but hungry kids are likely to spend the entire shopping trip asking for snacks or whining to leave and get something to eat. If you don't have time to eat a meal before you go to the grocery store, bring along a few snacks and a drink in a snack bag.

Assign tasks to your spouse and older children
Send your husband to handle the meat and produce, and let older children take a portion of the list to complete. Giving everyone a job at the grocery store means less complaining and a shorter trip.

Small incentives go a long way
Though you don't need to bribe your children into good behavior, an occasional incentive or reward can go a long way towards a happy shopping trip. A lollipop in the car ride home for little kids who are good helpers in the store, or thirty minutes of TV time to say thanks for thirty minutes of "helping mom" time are great ways to show your children that you appreciate their help. Don't make a habit of this—but reserve it as a special treat for successful grocery shopping trips with great behavior and no whining or begging.

If you head to the grocery store with your family, going prepared can mean a cheaper, happier and faster trip that everyone can enjoy!

There's something nostalgic about going out for ice cream. This simple treat seems to bring families closer after the end of a long week. Unfortunately, it also seems to suck money from your wallet. The cost of a family of four having simple ice cream cones is around $16 and more expensive treats like brownie sundaes cost around $20. This week, we'll discuss making ice cream cones and sundaes at home. Not only will you save money, but everyone can get exactly what they want.

Four ice cream cones can cost $16. That price doesn't seem too expensive until you consider what you could buy at the grocery store for around the same price.

2 boxes of waffle cones $7
2 half gallon containers of high quality ice cream $11
Total $18

That's enough for at least a week's worth of ice cream cones! The savings get even bigger if you purchase store brand ice cream and cones. That's not all though. Even brownie hot fudge sundaes are more affordable when served at home.

1 gallon of store brand vanilla ice cream $6
2 containers of hot fudge topping $6
1 box of brownie mix $3
Whipped topping $3
Nuts $3
Cherries $3
Total $24

Not only would you have enough ingredients to serve hot fudge sundaes to your entire family twice, but you would have vanilla ice cream leftover for milkshakes as well. What about the king of all ice cream treats though? Can you also save money on banana splits?

1 gallon of Neapolitan ice cream $6
8 large bananas $3
Strawberry sauce $3
Hot fudge topping $3
Pineapple topping $3
Whipped topping $3
Nuts $3
Cherries $3
Total $27

That's enough ingredients to have banana splits two nights in row.

Without a doubt, ice cream night is much more affordable at home. Best of all, if you like having ice cream at home, you'll save even more by investing in an ice cream maker and waffle cone maker. Not to mention that ice cream seems to taste even better when you're kicked back in front of the TV.

If you have a basketball hoop (or a nearby court) and a ball, you're pretty much all set for a fun family recreational event. It's important to keep the whole family in shape and basketball gives the whole body a workout. So, gather family and friends (yes, the little ones, too) and host an amateur basketball tournament. Prior skills and knowledge are not necessary. This is all about fitness and fun.

Once you've figured out where and when you're going to play, be sure you've got everyone covered. If there are smaller kids who won't be able to reach the net with the ball, be sure to get a basketball goal they can reach. Children's size basketball hoops are fairly inexpensive. There are various sizes ranging from toddlers up to teens. Don't leave the babies out of the fun. Babies who are capable of playing with toys can be handed a soft basketball toy to play with. Depending on the baby's developmental stage, active play, such as reaching for the toy or crawling toward it can be encouraged.

Now, on to the actual game day. The weather should be nice enough for outdoor play. Be sure you let everyone know to wear the appropriate clothing for game play. Clothing should be loose-fitting, lightweight and moisture-wicking. Basketball shoes should be durable and have optimal shock absorption. Breathability and cushioning also should be factored in. Also, make sure that shoes worn during a basketball game are lightweight. Otherwise, the legs and feet will get tired before game play is done. I'm not saying everyone needs to have the same shoes as the pros, but foot protection is a must.

Once everyone has arrived and is geared up for game play, teams can be created. Be sure to also account for different age groups. Some families may decide to play these basketball games for prizes, while others may wish it to be non-competitive. Either way you will still get the same exercise, so that part is up to your family. The important part is that everyone gets the chance to play. There should be no players left on the sidelines in this one.

Tug-of-war has long been a fun, family activity. Turning it into an organized neighborhood event makes it even more entertaining. It's also a great way to fit some family fitness into the schedule. Tug-of-war can exercise all the muscles of the body. This type of game can also help foster teamwork.

It may sound difficult to organize a neighborhood game, but it doesn't have to be. First, decide where to hold the event. It might be at a park or at your home, if your yard is large enough. If you can be prepared for an uncertain number of guests, pass out fliers advertising the event with contact info. If you'd rather limit the event to a certain number of people, pass out invitations to the neighbors of your choice.

To play tug-of-war, divide people into teams, as well as age groups. Be sure you have ropes geared to the age levels. There also can be family teams, but be sure everyone knows to play a gentler version if there are younger kids present.

There should be a line drawn on the ground in chalk. A team stands on either side, with all team members holding the rope. When the game is signaled to start, each team pulls on the rope. The object of the game is to pull all members of the opposing team over the line. Whichever team accomplishes this first is the winner. If there are a large amount of participants, or if people want to play one-on-one, rather than in teams, tournaments can be held. Each winning team or person plays against the next team until there is one last winner.

To make the event more enjoyable, you can make it an all-day thing, with snacks and recreational activities in between. If the event is held at the park, kids can play on the playground, in between competitions. Other good activities for in-between include frisbee, jump rope, and ring toss. If games are going to be in the grass or the dirt, it is suggested that people wear shoes with thicker traction. If they will be on asphalt or concrete, grip is still required, but not as thick.

Sometimes spending time with family can be as simple as putting a twist on a popular sport or activity. Remaining active is important to the family's health and also is a great way to have some fun together. The relay race is a classic sport that families and athletes have enjoyed for years. Skateboarding also is a family-friendly sport. Mixing the two can add to the fun.

Materials
Open Safe Paved Area
Skateboard
Sidewalk Chalk
Whistle

Preparation
Before the race begins, be sure the family is wearing appropriate footwear. No one should be running (or skateboarding) in sandals or dress shoes. Appropriate active footwear should be lightweight and supportive. Be sure that the traction on the shoes is appropriate for asphalt, as well as skateboard riding.

Other preparations for the race includes gathering the materials. Prepare the race by drawing a start and finish line on the ground with chalk. The start and finish line should be enough distance apart for a good racing area. The actual length may vary depending on your family's endurance levels.

How to Play Skateboard Relay Race
Place a racer at the start line, as well as the finish line. If you have more than two family members, those members should split up evenly and line up behind the other players. The player at the start line should have the skateboard. Blow the whistle to signal the start of the race. The player at the start line skateboards to the player at the finish line. The skateboard, rather than a baton is the hand-off item.

The player at the finish line then rides the skateboard to the start line and the next player in line is handed the skateboard. The race continues until all family members have had a chance to skateboard. This is a non-competitive version. For a competitive version, teams can be created. Game play would be the same, except there would be two or more start and finish lines, depending on the number of players. Whichever team finishes first is the winner.

Those who are too young to skateboard the traditional way, such as younger children, may sit on the skateboard instead of standing.

Warmer weather brings to mind the visions of picnics. Who wouldn't want to escape to a lakeside getaway for the afternoon? Unfortunately, even on the weekend, this isn't always possible for busy families. After all, you have to get the food ready, make the trip, plan activities, etc. But, if you have a simple menu everything else seems to fall into place. This week we'll discuss a picnic menu that takes minutes to prepare.

Tuna and White Bean Salad
Serves 4

2 cans of solid white albacore tuna, drained
1 can of white beans, drained and rinsed
1 small red onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
½ cup of green olives, chopped
¼ pound fresh mozzarella, cubed
½ cup fat-free Italian dressing

1. Toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl and chill until ready to pack your picnic basket.
2. Serve with crusty French bread.

Stone Fruit with Honey Mint Dressing
Serves 4

4 peaches, sliced
4 red plums, sliced
4 black plums, sliced
4 apricots, sliced
½ cup honey
¼ cup lemon juice
½ tablespoon of mint, chopped fine

1. Place the fruit in a sealable bowl and mix the last three ingredients to form a dressing.
2. Top the fruit with the dressing and chili until ready to pack.

Both of these recipes can be made the night before the picnic. All you have to do is freeze a few water bottles and store them in the picnic basket so that they keep your food cold. Don't forget to also pack some juice boxes for the kids and maybe a bottle of sparkling wine for you and your spouse. To make things even easier, pack the salad and fruit in single serve containers. Also, you can hold off on adding the dressing to the fruit to see if your children like it or not.

A picnic doesn't have to be a long, drawn out affair. You can quickly prepare delicious recipes that are healthy and make for wonderful picnic fare.

Family story time often creates special memories. To add a unique twist that is sure to create plenty of memorable moments, try doing something unique with story time. Here's a fun way to add a good dose of drama to your family's routine.

Materials Needed
Your Family
A Good Book or Two
Imagination

How to Play
Once you've picked out a good book for active family story time, examine the book for characters. Each family member can choose characters from the story to act out. If there aren't enough characters in the book, members can take turns with characters or choose scenery from the book as their "character." Family members also must take turns being the narrator.

After each parent or child reads aloud each page, the family acts out that scene. There is no need to practice acting out the story beforehand. The improvisational method of doing this adds to the fun. The point of active family story time is not to get the scenes right, but to have fun while enjoying a good book together. Even if there are enough characters for family members, adding scenery and props for the family adds to the fun. For instance, a story could read "Jimmy proudly finished all of his chicken soup while mom and dad looked at him with a smile." If that portion is the contents of one page, the narrator would read that aloud. Two family members could acts as parents smiling at another who is acting like they're eating up a bowl of soup with a big smile on his face.

Another page of the story could read, "Jimmy then went outside to play fetch with his dog, Rover. Rover likes to jump over logs while he chases his ball." One family member could be Jimmy and another could be Rover. For a variation with family members as props, one or more family member could be the log that Rover jumps over to fetch the ball.

It is recommended to try this outdoors or in an open room for the most flexibility in active movement and theatrical stunts.

After a long, cold winter indoors, the appearance of springtime means that many families are ready to turn off the tube and head outdoors. But if your family isn't interested in hiking or cycling or the kids are just a bit too young for a weekend camping trip, it can be difficult to find outdoor activities that can interest everyone. Spending a family day at a zoo or a nearby animal park, however, can appeal to a variety of ages, interest levels and the kid inside of all of us.

Consider the nearest zoo, as well as those further away. This can be especially helpful if you are taking older children along, too. Larger zoos may be more crowded but can offer a wider range of animals and activities for children of all ages. Similarly, if your family regularly heads to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., you might want to consider a change of venue and hit the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore or the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo instead.

Pack your own Snacks, Drinks and Lunches
Many zoos will allow you to bring in your own food and drink and provide picnic tables for just such a purpose. Throw it all in a waterproof tote bag and head out the door.

Ignore the Weather Forecast
One of the most maddening things about trips to outdoor venues such as zoos is that you are dependent on the weather. But that doesn't need to be the case. Most zoos are still open when it rains. You might not be able to have your picnic lunch outside, but you'll still be able to see many of the zoos inhabitants. Wear your rain boots, splash in a puddle or two, and the zoo trip has taken on a whole new dimension!

Bring Along the Camera and a Guidebook
Not only can a day trip to the zoo provide some outside entertainment for the family, but it can also be educational. Bring along the camera, purchase a guidebook and document all of the animals that you see along the way. Make a photo book of your trip to the zoo and write what you learned about the animals or information about how they behaved. This activity is a great idea for homeschoolers, too!

Spending a family day at the zoo is fun, educational and a great way to get the whole family up and moving once the weather starts to cooperate this spring.

Spring is tentatively showing itself in many parts of the country. (Not where I live; we just got almost 12 inches of snow.) For many families, this means the end of indoor recreation activities and a chance to get back outside and enjoy nature. You can help your kids learn to enjoy the outdoors -- and make great family memories -- by keeping a nature journal.

Nature Journal as a Family
One of the fun things you can do together is head outside and keep a nature journal. The National Wildlife Federation offers some helpful hints for making a nature journal. Possible subjects are included, and this can help you get a good start on what to do for a successful nature journal. You can look for such items as plants, animals and rocks, as well as listen to the different sounds being made. The wind in the leaves or the sound of a stream can make great subjects for the nature journal. Older children can learn how to identify different plants, animals and rocks that are common to your local area.

A nature journal should include observations about the things heard, seen and even smelled. Have your children describe their experiences. Older children can write for themselves, and you can help the younger children. Encourage your children to draw pictures of what they have seen, using crayons or markers. You can even take pictures and add them to the nature journal. Have your children see how close they can get to drawing what is seen in the picture. You can add pages as needed, using a three-ring binder or keep the nature journal in a series of notebooks.

Remember, though, that spring can still be a little chilly. Make sure that you have jackets and hats, and are dressed appropriately for the weather. Good walking shoes are a good idea. Once you start your nature journal, you can make a new journal for every season.

There are a number of delicious treats that you can make with your children for Holidays . And while you can't take homemade treats to school anymore, it is possible for you to make treats for neighbors and friends. Baking is a great family recreation activity. It creates memories and encourages family bonding, teaches children a valuable skill and can be educational in terms of math and reading practice. Here is an easy, tasty recipe that you can easily do with your children:

Chocolate Caramel Bites
These treats are simple to make and good to eat. You need:
60 pretzels (square works very well)
Unwrapped Rolo candies
M&M candies (plain milk chocolate -- in the respective Holiday colors)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Get out a baking sheet or baking dish and lay the pretzels inside, along the bottom. You can line the bottom with foil in order to minimize any possible mess. Put one Rolo candy on top of each pretzel. (Have the kids count them as you go.) Next, place the baking sheet in the oven and heat for three or four minutes, until the Rolos start to soften and spread their shapes. Bring out the baking sheet and carefully place one M&M in the center of the melted Rolo.

Let the candies set. This can take an hour at room temperature or 15 to 20 minutes in the refrigerator. Leave the candies on the banking sheet during this time. Remove the candies from the baking sheet when they are set and put them in a sealed container. You can also use festively colored cellophane bags tied with ribbon and pass them out to friends and family with cards made from construction paper. (The cards can be made while you are waiting for the candies to set.)

This treat can be made for Easter, the 4th of July, Valentine's Day, Halloween or Christmas. Simply buy the M&M candies in their special holiday packages.

With television, video games and other forms of technology around every corner, it's easy for families to get caught up in their own worlds. Even parents and children sitting in the same room can be separated by iPhones, iPods, text messages, laptops and computer games. If technology has taken hold of your life, consider tuning out for a weekend and getting back to nature.

Before you start packing the things you will need, start with the things that you won't need. Leave the portable DVD player, cell phones, iPods, PSP and Nintendo DS. If you own a portable GPS, you may want to consider bringing it along for geo caching or for the car ride. But the technology stops there -- leave the laptops at home.

Locate a campground with toilets and showers, and you'll alleviate most of your teenagers' concerns. When researching the campsite, confirm if they have grills or fire pits available for cooking. Once you've found the campground and gotten the family on board, you can start planning for your family camping trip.

If you've never been camping before, you'll be pleasantly surprised with how easy the experience can be. One of the most important things is to bring a tent big enough for the family. Include sleeping bags, extra blankets and pillows, one or two changes of clothes per person, hiking boots, extra socks and food. Use backpacks, rather than suitcases, to haul your belongings.

Don't forget the food! Be sure to bring things that don't need to be refrigerated and can either be eaten cold or warmed over a fire. Include a pot and saucepan for soups or anything else you may need to heat. If you are going on a short trip, a cooler with ice might be helpful, especially for drinks.

A family camping trip is a great way to leave the technology behind and get back to basics.

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day as a holiday, but I do enjoy all the sweets that go along with it. Indeed, I often use Valentine's Day as an excuse to make all sorts of decadent delights. And, usually, it is possible for my son (and sometimes my husband) to help out.

Cherry Cake
This is actually a fun breakfast for Valentine's Day -- something special your family can do every year.

For the cake:
3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast (active)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
21-ounce can of cherry pie filling

For the glaze:
1/2 cup confectioner's (powdered) sugar
2 - 4 teaspoons of milk

Before you begin, make sure have the ingredients on hand. Also, make sure that everyone is in clothing suitable for baking. We like to do our Valentine's Day morning baking in pajamas. This way we can just put them in the wash when we're done.

Mix 1/2 cups of the flour with the sugar, salt and yeast. Heat 1/2 cup of the milk along with the butter and the water. Add to the flour combination and then add the eggs. Use a mixer to beat at a low speed, getting all of the ingredients moist. Then beat for three minutes at medium speed, stirring in the rest of the flour gradually, forming a batter. Cover and let rise until the size doubles (about 45 to 60 minutes).

Grease a 13 x 9 pan. Save out 1/4 of the batter and pour the rest into the pan, spooning the cherry filling on top. Add the rest of the batter over the cherry filling. Let rise for another 30 minutes. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Make the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and the milk until the glaze is at a desired consistency. When the cake is done, drizzle the glaze on top. You can use apple or blueberry pie filling in this recipe, too.