FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES

FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES

Family activities bring the family together. It is a time when a parent can observe and learn about their child and what they are interested in. It is a time to strengthen the family ties and have fun doing it. Because most of us have very busy schedules it may be necessary to schedule family fun time on a regular basis and make it a priority.

Here are some tips to successful family time:

Be realistic about how much you can do, make it simple and fun.

Don’t be afraid to try new things and adventures.

Make sure you have thoroughly prepared for your family fun time. Have all the supplies you need ready and on hand. Make reservations if needed. Do not wait until the last minute to organize your fun time.

Turn off the TV, cell phones and Video games. Give your children your undivided attention.

Play miniature golf.

Put together a treasure hunt. Hide small gifts or treats around the house. Prepare a series of clues for the children to follow to find the treasure.

Wash the family car together

On a rainy day have an indoor picnic. Make sandwiches and snacks together, spread a blanket on the floor and enjoy an indoor picnic.

Play some dance music and exercise and dance to the music.

Plant some vegetables or flowers in the yard and then water them together each day.

Visit your neighborhood fire station.

Choose a book and read aloud with the family. Discuss the story and how each person feels about it.

Have a game night. Play age appropriate board games or card games as a family.

Make a family tree. Gather photographs of family members or draw each family member and attach it to your tree.

Make an obstacle course in your backyard and allow the children to try to get their best time to complete the course.

Make sock puppets out of extra mismatched socks. Put on a puppet show.

Go bowling.

Schedule a regular ice cream sundae night. Allow children to create and decorate their own ice cream.

Go to the library and check out books on stars. On a clear night take sleeping bags and lay out in your yard looking at the stars. Try to identify some of the constellations that you read about in the books.

Draw a hop scotch on your driveway or sidewalk. If you do not have access to outdoor space, mark out a hop scotch grid with tape on your floor.

Depending on the ages of your children, have a puzzle night. Sitting around a table putting together puzzles is a great opportunity to encourage and converse with your children.

Build a fort. You can use pillows, sheets and blankets draped across furniture and tables to make houses and tunnels. Large appliance boxes make wonderful littles houses to curl up in.

Make a collage or book. You will need old magazines, scissors, glue, construction paper or poster board. Cut out pictures and glue them on paper or poster board. You can choose themes such as ‘emotions’ (happy, sad, or scared faces etc), animals, food, things that go, or just interesting pictures.

Go for a family hike or walk. Give each child a bag and encourage them to pick up interesting leaves, rocks, acorns, etc.

Go for a family bicycle ride. Many parks, cities and towns have bicycle trails and designated parks that families can access safely.

Many cities and towns have free concerts.

Cooking together is a wonderful family activity. Bake cookies and allow the children to decorate them with sprinkles and candies.

Put together some plastic bags of homemade cookies and tie them with a bow. Bring them as a gift to elderly neighbors or friends.

Go to a museum. Many cities and towns have free passes available for families to visit area museums.