Many families worry, especially with these tough economic times, about spending a great deal of money on family recreation. But family recreation is an important part of forging strong family ties. The good news is that there are plenty of great family activities available for very little cost. One of the things you can do to enjoy a variety of family activities year round is become acquainted with your local nature center.

Local Nature Centers
Many towns and cities have local nature centers. These centers are designed with the family in mind, and often offer activities for people of all ages. Nature centers offer interactive learning, as well as the ability to get out and enjoy nature as a family. Most nature centers put on programs, animal demonstrations, classes and workshops that cost very little or are completely free of charge. Sometimes, if you plan to use the nature center regularly, it is possible to buy a yearly family membership for a very reasonable price. This can allow you to take advantage of all the nature center has to offer.

Visiting the Local Nature Center
It is important to dress appropriately for the weather when visiting your local nature center. Wear hiking boots most of the year and make sure to have warm and sturdy snow boots if you go during the winter. Wear sweaters and jackets when appropriate and remember to dress comfortably during the summer months. Call ahead of time to see if some workshops and events require pre-registration. It is possible that large parties need to be pre-registered in order to be accommodated. Obtain a schedule either online or at the nature center so that you can better plan your family outings.

Family recreation can serve two great purposes; it can bring you closer as a family and also instill a love and respect for nature into your children. A nature center can provide all that is needed to accomplish both of these things - and do it at a very reasonable price.

As a child, I loved the occasions when my mother would bring me out to look at the stars. Last time we went camping, my son and I sat for a while gazing up at the stars and finding the brightly shining North Star, as well as looking at constellations like the Big Dipper and Draco (my son loves dragons.) Then it occurred to me: I could bring my son out for star gazing anytime, and we could do it with his dad. Star gazing is a great family activity, especially during momentous events like meteor showers and lunar eclipses.

Watching Meteor Showers
Even though winter is approaching, it is still possible to engage in star gazing. In fact, my next family star gazing activity will be October 21, for the Orionids meteor shower. (There are two more meteor showers beyond the Orionids and before the end of the year: the Leonids and the Geminids.) Since it will be cold, I'll be sure to bundle my son in a warm winter coat, and we will all wear scarves, hats and thick socks with our shoes. I plan to have hot chocolate and cider ready for when we go in. We are lucky enough to live far enough out that we can sit on our front lawn.

Other Tips for Family Star Gazing
It is also possible to go star gazing on an "ordinary" night. Beforehand, learn about stars as a family. It is possible to find star charts online, as well as buy astronomy books that can give information about the locations of constellations, galaxies and planets. If you think you will use it, consider buying a telescope that you can use as family to zoom in on various celestial features. Another great idea is to learn about other cultures and remember the constellations by reading about the legends and myths that surround them.

Star gazing can make for great family recreation, as well as a valuable educational experience.

One of the things my son loves to do is go pick a pumpkin to carve into a jack o' lantern. We did it one year with my dad, and the boy has been an enthusiastic pumpkin picker ever since. Picking and carving pumpkins really can make a great fall family activity.

There are many places that still offer pumpkin patches in which you can go and choose your own pumpkins. In much the way agri-tourism has brought back picking your own apples (another great fall family activity) and picking your own strawberries, going to a patch somewhere to choose your own jack o' lantern pumpkins is becoming popular again. The whole family can look through the patch and choose the pumpkins that they like best. My son prefers the perfectly round ones that weigh about ten pounds, while my husband likes pumpkins that are taller than they are wide. No matter the preference, though, it is possible to find just the right pumpkin.

Make sure that you go prepared, however. It is starting to get chilly in most parts of the country. Wear sturdy shoes that you do not mind getting dirty (I never saw a mud-free pumpkin patch), and a jacket to keep you warm. It can also help to have gloves, especially if the day is brisk and a little windy. We like to go to a nearby farm that also offers pony rides for the kids and sometimes a wagon ride. With the crisp autumn air, the brightly colored leaves and the hot apple cider, the pumpkin patch day is usually a dream.

When you get the pumpkin home, if you plan to carve within a couple of days, you can leave the pumpkins on your doorstep. Otherwise, keep them in a cool, dark place. We keep ours in the cellar for a couple of weeks before carving. After you carve them, you can put a little petroleum jelly on the inside and along the edges that you carved out. This helps preserve the jack o' lanterns for a couple extra days.

I love to swim. And my love of swimming came at an early age, when my family went swimming together. Of course, it was mostly on family vacations when we made sure to go to the hotel pool, but it instilled in me a love for swimming. And it is a love I pass on to my own son. We try to go once a week, even in cold weather, since the wonder of modern convenience means indoor swimming is a possibility.

Start Swimming at a Young Age

It is best to start your children swimming at a young age. In fact, babies often feel an affinity to the water, since it resembles conditions in the womb. Get a swimsuit that fits, and bring your children to the pool often. My sister's kids have been visiting the pool since they were 6 months old. This allows children to grow up accustomed to the water. When they take swim lessons later, they will feel more comfortable and be more open to the experience.

Creating Happy Memories

Swim as a family. Children love doing things with mom and dad. When you both come to the pool -- and get in the water -- it makes the whole process more pleasurable. Additionally, it can be an inexpensive way to enjoy some family recreation. Check with your local pool. Most pools have a "family night" that comes with a discount for the whole family.

During the summer months, it can be fun to take your family swimming recreation to the ocean, a nearby lake or an outdoor water park. I've found that at the lake, no boat is necessary. Just take the kids swimming, set up towels on the beach and spend some time in the water. They will love it. For the outdoor water park, pack a picnic lunch and plan to make a day of it.

Swimming, whether indoors or in the open air, can be a great family recreation activity.

One of the things I loved doing as a child was looking at the brilliant fall colors when the leaves changed. I grew up in Idaho, so the colors weren't as varied as those I saw when I moved to New York state, but I still loved the changing of the season. Indeed, the changing leaves and crisp air are what make autumn my favorite time of year. And I love to share this time of year with my son. As a family, fall foliage tours are among our favorite activities.

Seeing the Changing Leaves with Your Family

Children instinctively love nature. You can nurture that love with outdoor activities. Looking at autumn leaves is a great way to do this. If you have children that are old enough, make sure they have good hiking shoes and comfortable jackets to prepared for a day outdoors. In some areas, there are activities associated with fall foliage. Find out if the following activities are available in your local area:

• Hay rides
• Pumpkin patches
• Canoeing
• Autumn crafts at a local nature center
• Bike and walking paths

Family Fall Foliage Project: Leaf Book

You can also bring the magic of fall foliage home with you. As a family, try to collect fallen leaves of different colors and varieties. When you get home, you can preserve the leaves and create a little "leaf book."

Here's an easy way to preserve leaves:
1. Lay the leaf between two sheets of wax paper.
2. Take an iron and carefully "iron" the leaves encased in the paper.

You can create labels with the names of the trees and tape them below the leaves. You can also mount the preserved leaves on construction paper and label them.

Autumn truly is a glorious time of year, one in which there are interesting and exciting opportunities to enjoy the beautiful sights offered by nature.

One of the difficulties that arise in family recreation is bringing a baby along. My family used to take weekly walks as a form of family recreation. It was good exercise, got us out of the house, and allowed us a chance to chat and connect with each other. But it can be hard when you have a baby or a young child. After all, the baby (or even a young toddler) can't walk as far as everyone else. This is where strollers and baby joggers can come in handy in promoting continued family recreation.

Choosing a stroller for your family recreation
It is important to carefully consider your needs when choosing a stroller or baby jogger for your family recreation. If you are only using a stroller for occasional walks -- such as at the mall or in an airport, a simple (and cheap) umbrella stroller may be the best bet. It gets the job done. But if you plan to walk or jog regularly, or if you want something durable for such occasions as family camping trips, think about something a little more expensive than the basic umbrella stroller. Here are some features to look for if you need a more advanced stroller for your family recreation:

• Ability to quickly and easily fold. Some strollers feature one-handed folding ability.
• 5-point safety harness (look for padded for baby's comfort).
• Reclining seat. This is great for long walks -- or if you are bringing baby on an outing to the park. It allows him or her to sleep more comfortably.
• Storage compartments and baskets for your things. A water holder is also preferable.
• Sun canopy to protect baby from the sun.
• Parking break to prevent the stroller from rolling away.
• Easy to steer.

Ultimately, your family recreation goals and needs will dictate what sort of stroller or baby jogger you need. Another consideration is how many more kids you plan to have. A durable stroller can last for years, so you only have to buy one for all of your children to use.

I love autumn. It's my favorite time of year. I love to be outside without feeling the sun will melt you. As a family, we get a lot more active during the fall as well. It is not too cold to do outside things like bike riding, walking, picnicking and hiking, yet it is cool enough that we remain comfortable -- as long as we are wearing jackets.
Choosing a jacket for children
Part of choosing jackets for children is getting the right balance that allows for some warmth, but that does not result in overheating. The jacket should be something that allows your child to participate comfortably in fall family recreation activities. Here are some considerations when choosing a fall jacket for children:

Durability

You want a jacket that will last a while and hold up under the rough use that children can sometimes put clothing through. Spending a little more for high quality now can mean that you have a jacket that lasts longer -- and that can be worn by subsequent children.

Size

We like to buy our son's jackets a little too large. Children grow quickly. If you want the jacket to be around for the spring, it can be helpful to get a jacket that is a size larger than what your child would normally wear. Of course, do not get it too large. Otherwise, it may hinder your child in some of their activities.

Easy on and off

Try to choose a jacket with a front zipper. This makes it easy to take on and off, and your child can even do it him or herself. Additionally, a front-zip jacket makes it easy to open the jacket a little for cooling, without having to take it off entirely.

Pockets for hands

Pockets can be a great place for hands to keep warm. My son keeps gloves in his pockets as well, making them easy to reach and pull on before a breezy fall bike ride.

Family vacations can be a lot of fun. But they can also be a lot of stress. I remember my mother keeping most of the games, books, toys and snacks with her. Even when we got a little older. What resulted was not pretty. Mom looked harassed all the time; with five kids, one of us was always clambering for something. One way I've learned from her mistakes is to let my son be in charge of his own stuff. He's five years old, and perfectly capable of managing his own backpack with snacks, books, toys, games and coloring books (with crayons, of course).

Choosing backpacks for children
You do want to make sure that your child can handle his or her backpack. My son's backpack is slightly smaller and easy for him to carry. Your child should also be old enough and mature enough to handle keeping track of his or her things. If you travel on airplanes a lot, you might consider a wheeled backpack. This can make things easier between flights. Here are some other features that you might consider when choosing travel backpacks for your children:

• At least one zip pocket in the front (two or three is better). This is an ideal place for the snacks. They won't get lost if they are kept in the front pocket.
• Tall enough to fit a coloring book without having to bend it to make it fit.
• Lightweight.
• Sturdy.
• Small enough that it will fit under the seat of an airplane. You don't want to be constantly trying to get it out of the overhead.
• Side pockets (if necessary) for electronics. Sometimes these pockets are located on the inside of the bag.

Before you leave, make sure you show your child how to pack the backpack. Check to make sure that it is not too full, by having your child walk around with it for a while.

You can make your family vacation a little less stressful by allowing your child to be responsible for access to his or her own entertainment.

One of the great things about gardening is that it can serve as a great family recreation activity, while at the same time providing your family with a source of inexpensive and healthy produce. Additionally, a family garden teaches children to help out around the house and is a great way to help them learn that there are great rewards that come with hard work. Even children can enjoy working in a family garden. Just remember that you all need to do is work together as a family to make it a fun family recreation, as well as teaching, experience.

Tips for making a family garden
Consider activities that are age appropriate. Children of all ages can dig holes and help put the seeds in. It is also possible for toddlers to help remove rocks from the garden area. However, some children may not be able to help in all capacities. Keep a section of the garden available only for digging. This will allow the youngest children the ability to feel as though they are part of the adventure.

Set aside specific shoes for gardening. Shoes are going to get dirty, so try and set them aside, just out the back door or inside the garage, and designate them as "gardening shoes." Slip-on shoes, shoes with Velcro or old canvas shoes are ideal for outside work in a family garden. These are quick and easy to put on and take off and can be exclusively for work in the garden.

Have a variety of plants. Include large sunflowers in the family garden, along with vegetables. Cherry tomatoes, pumpkins (and other vine plants) and beans (and peas that climb) are all fun for children. Talk about the different plants and what they can be used for. Harvest them together and make a point to eat produce from your garden. If there is enough, be sure to freeze or bottle it for later in the year.

Some of my happiest memories growing up were made in the family garden. Family recreation doesn't have to be expensive or take you away from home. You can build strong family ties in your own backyard.