Recession-Proof Fun: Affordable Family Activities During a Trade War
by Alexander Tidd
When the economy gets shaky—thanks to things like, oh I don’t know, a good ol’ fashioned trade war—our wallets start to shrink faster than a sweater in a hot dryer. Imported cheese gets pricier, your favorite gadgets suddenly carry a tariff tax, and even the dollar menu isn’t so… dollar-ish anymore. But here’s the thing: while the stock market may be throwing tantrums, your family doesn’t have to.
Economic uncertainty doesn’t mean you have to cancel joy. It just means you have to get creative—and maybe laugh a little harder at your own jokes (they’re free!). So, whether you're pinching pennies or just trying to stay sane without maxing out your credit card, here are some recession-proof, trade war-resistant, smile-inducing family activities to keep the fun flowing, no imports required.
1. The Great Indoors Camping Trip
Who says you need the Rockies or Yosemite to enjoy a weekend under the stars? Drag the sleeping bags into the living room, build a fort out of every blanket you own, and voilà—Camp Livingroom is open for business.
Don’t forget to:
Roast marshmallows over a candle (or just microwave them and pretend).
Tell spooky stories. Bonus points if they involve tariffs.
Play a nature soundtrack on YouTube and see who can guess which bird call is fake.
Cost: Basically zero. Maybe $2.99 if you need marshmallows.
2. Cook-Off Night: Pantry Edition
Forget fancy recipes with rare ingredients. This is about using whatever’s in your pantry to create the ultimate family cook-off. Canned beans? Check. Leftover pasta? Boom. That half-used bottle of sriracha? Let’s get weird.
Make it a competition:
Everyone gets a “mystery box” of random ingredients.
You have 30 minutes to prepare your culinary masterpiece.
Parents judge, but remember: compliments are free and calories don’t count during a trade war.
Cost: You’re using what you already have. It’s practically a financial life hack.
3. Neighborhood Olympics
With inflation inflating and supply chains slacking, international travel might not be in the cards. But don’t worry—your neighborhood cul-de-sac can become the site of the next great Olympic showdown.
Events might include:
Speed-scootering around the block.
Backyard obstacle course (laundry baskets and pool noodles make excellent hurdles).
Synchronized dancing to TikTok hits (don’t knock it until you try it).
Cost: Free, unless you award medals in the form of chocolate chips.
4. DIY Movie Night
Why spend $75 at the theater when your living room can be transformed into Cinemark on a Budget?
Here’s how:
Make tickets and hand them out at the “box office” (aka the hallway).
Pop some popcorn, mix in some M&Ms, and call it “recession mix.”
Use a projector (or just your TV) to show a classic, or let kids create a short film to screen.
Pro tip: Letting the kids be in charge of snacks and seating turns this into a whole evening event.
Cost: Maybe $5 if you splurge on snacks.
5. Garage Sale Fashion Show
If you’ve got teenagers (or preteens with attitude), turn a boring afternoon into a high-fashion moment by digging through your closets and putting on a runway show.
Here's how to werk it:
Everyone has to create 3 outfits: one “fancy,” one “silly,” and one “upcycled.”
Use old Halloween costumes, your dad’s Hawaiian shirts, mom’s college sweatshirt from 1996—everything is fair game.
Play runway music and strut like you're on Paris Fashion Week (but sponsored by Goodwill).
Cost: Free, but may cost you some dignity.
6. Digital Time Capsule
When times are uncertain, it's kind of cool to slow down and document your present. Create a digital time capsule as a family:
Everyone records a short video sharing what life is like, what they love, what they're learning, and what they're hoping for.
Save it on a USB or a private cloud folder to be opened in 5 or 10 years.
You can even write letters to your future selves—imagine explaining a trade war to your 2035 self!
Cost: Nada. And it’s a surprisingly touching project.
7. Board Game Bonanza (or Make Your Own!)
Pull out the classics: Monopoly, Uno, Clue. But if you’ve played them to death—or can't afford a new game—make your own!
Try:
“Trade War: The Board Game,” where you negotiate deals for snacks.
A trivia game with questions based on your family’s inside jokes.
DIY Pictionary with a chalkboard or sticky notes.
Cost: Free. Laughs guaranteed.
Final Thoughts: Fun is the Ultimate Currency
Look, no one’s thrilled about economic uncertainty, rising prices, or suddenly discovering that avocados are now $3 each. But here’s the good news: kids don’t need lavish vacations or expensive toys to have fun—they just need time, love, and a little imagination.
So during this era of tariffs and tense global trade talks, let’s remind ourselves: fun is recession-proof when you’re with the people you love. And honestly, a family lip-sync battle is way more entertaining than watching the news anyway.
Happy (affordable) adventuring!
