Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Aug. 29, 2025 – Parents know that the cost of living has risen dramatically in recent years.

There are numerous metrics to determine just how much more people must spend to get by, but one that families can readily identify with is the cost of groceries, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated would increase by more than 2 percent in 2025.

Increased costs across the board underscore the need for families to find affordable ways to have fun together. However, there are many ways for families to get out of the house and have fun without breaking the bank.

Visit the local library:

Libraries are home to hundreds of books that all can be borrowed free of charge, but these local institutions also offer much more at no cost. Many libraries host numerous arts and crafts programs for kids, weekly board game gatherings for adults, free movie rentals ideal for family movie nights, and educational series and programs for adults and children alike.

Library locations in Craighead County:

• Jonesboro: 315 W. Oak Ave. (Open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Saturdays and Sundays)
• Brookland: 401 S. Holman St. (Monday through Tuesday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. through 4 p.m.; closed Sunday)
• Caraway: 102B E. State St. (Open Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Saturdays and Sundays)
• Lake City: 106 Cobean Blvd. (Open Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Saturdays and Sundays)
• Monette: 103 S. Edmonds St. (Open Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Saturdays and Sundays)

Take in some scholastic sports:

Friday night high school football games under the lights can be a fun way to satisfy a love of live sports and provide a great opportunity to engage with the larger community. Once the temperatures dip, indoor sports seasons provide a great way to get out of the house during a time of year when it can be easy to go a little stir crazy.

Athletics schedules in Craighead County:

• Click here for Jonesboro Public Schools athletics schedule.
• Click here for Nettleton Public Schools athletics schedule.
• Click here for Valley View Public Schools athletics schedule.
• Click here for Westside Consolidated School District athletics schedule (this links to a full event calendar for the district, but athletic events are included on it)
• Click here for Buffalo Island Central Schools athletics schedule.
• Click here for Bay School District athletics schedule.
• Click here for Brookland Public Schools athletics schedule.
• Click here for Riverside Public Schools athletics schedule (this links to a full event calendar for the district, but athletic events are included on it)

Enjoy the great outdoors:

Regardless of which season it might be, the great outdoors provides endless opportunities for family-friendly fun. Local, state or national parks offer ample activities families can enjoy together. Hiking, fishing, kayaking, cycling, and other activities are affordable and fun, making them ideal options on weekend afternoons regardless of what the weather is like.

Outdoor recreation areas in Jonesboro:

• Click here for a list of parks and community centers in Jonesboro.
• Lake Frierson State Park, located at 7904 Highway 141.
  • Its Visitor Center peak season hours are March through November, open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Off-season hours, which are December through February, are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The Center is closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Eve and Day. Campground and picnic areas are open all year.
• Forest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, located at 600 E. Lawson Road (Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed Sundays and Mondays)

See a show at a community theater:

If it’s culture families are looking for, community theater programs are wonderful options to consider. Local community theaters perform classic or even original productions at minimal cost. Families also can consider college and high school productions, where they might just come across tomorrow’s A-list stars before they make a name for themselves.

Production schedules in Jonesboro:

• Click here for the Forum Production schedule. (These productions will take place at the Forum Theater, located at 115 E. Monroe Ave.)
• Click here for Stage, Too production schedule. (Stage, Too productions will take place at Stage, Too, located at 330 S. Main St.)
• Click here for the Foundation of Arts’ Young Artist Theater production schedule. (These productions will take place at the Forum Theater, located at 115 E. Monroe Ave.)
• Click here for the Arkansas State University Theatre production schedule. (A-State Theatre productions take place in the Fowler Center, located at 201 Olympic Drive on the A-State campus.)