does anyone have any good/cheap/sane ideas

We love to take family bike rides.  We do not actually get very far with 4 kids, one being 5 and not thrilled with riding on the back of the bike or wearing  a helmet, but we all end up talking and laughing.  We also love visiting the open air Green Markets. My kids love the pickles on a stick.  We exercise without even realizing it.  Enjoy

We  are going camping....where there is NO CELL SERVICE....time for a break!

A few fun suggestions that don't cost much:

1. Go to Dollar stores.
If you have kids 10 or under, each kid gets $3 and gets to spend it the way they want at the Dollar Store. If they settle on something right away, ask them "Are you sure this is what you want?" Usually, they'll go back to the toy aisle, just to make certain. This usually lasts more than an hour or so before they make a selection or three. If you build anticipation the night before by talking about what they plan to look for, this seems like a "real" outing for the kids.

2. Plant something.
Get cheap plastic flower pots, some soil and some seeds or small plants. Let them put it together while you watch. Kids loves to play in the dirt. And it's a good outside project if it's not too hot.

3. Playing dress up.
If you've got girls of a certain age and some old dresses and purses and hats and stuff, let them play dress up and join in. Have a tea party with cookies and fruity tea. Set up a table with a pretty cloth in the living room and pretend you're in a fancy hotel. This was a real winner with with my stepdaughter.

4. Make cookies.
Whether you put together your own recipe or use the dough from the store, making cookies is a lot of fun for everyone, particularly because you get to eat them. I liked to plan this along with a video of an old children's classic they hadn't seen yet, so we could make the cookies and then watch "The Wizard of Oz," or "Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang," or the original version of "The Parent Trap."

Have fun!

Not sure what part u live in, but if you live in the country go to the city and see some water spouts,parks and take fun pictures (funny), free museums, even just  window shopping.
City living- My girls are city girls and I live somewhat in the country. Im tring to get them to see what is out in the country like birds, seeing how the bugs live, go on a nature hike look for unusual leaves , pack a lunch and special drink- let them help- then when back home next day make a colauge w items found. Country has so much and its FREEEEEE!!!!
Have a great time and enjoy your kids.

a yardsale is a great idea - my kids would love to help / make some money!

I'll give it a try. Borrow a tent and camp out in the back yard for a night or two. No tvs, just books. Find things that are free in your local area and take them to those things that might be of interest to you as a family. Any craft fairs,  festivals, etc. The zoo is always good. But I don't know how expensive that could get.

Try calling your chamber of commerce or read the local newspaper to see what is available in your area that is low cost.
How about cleaning out the stuff you can't use and having a yard sale and letting the kids help. Then you could use the money for the rest of the weekend.

To get everyone up and out of the house, I like to go to a pancake place for brunch - its cheaper than eating out at lunch or dinner, brunch is good cause you skip a meal, my kids love waffles / pancakes / etc.

Afterwards,I throw 'em in a swimming pool for a few hours - I make Dad's special, amazing grilled cheese (ok, not really that amazing, I add munster as my "super secret cheese") and watch a rented movie on TV.  Everyone sleeps well that night (swimming helps!)....

Total cost for family of 5 - $30 breakfast, $4 movie, $5 for grilled cheese ad chips.  $5 for suntan stuff.  Total cost:  $44.