When was the last time you played as a family? Or just “hung out” together?
(This was originally posted in 2015 but the activities are timeless, even during a pandemic and beyond!)
Sometimes you need to call a Time Out of your hectic schedule, ignore your To-Do List, and just take time to play.
The laundry and the dirt in the corner of the bathroom can wait until tomorrow. When you take a break from the rat race, you give your family time to get to know and enjoy each other.
While time away can be a vacation or a pre-made adventure (amusement park, mini-golf, roller skating), it can also be simple and cheap.
Here are 5 favorite Family Fun Escapes
contributed by some of the families I have worked with:
1. Family Picnic in the Den
Instead of sitting at the dinner table, lay a table cloth on the floor and eat picnic foods. You can play music that reminds you of summer and have popsicles or ice cream in cones for dessert!
2. Go on a Night Walk. One night, when no one has a super busy schedule the next day, surprise your kids after PJs and teeth brushing and go outside for a walk.
Listen to the night sounds. Look at the stars or the snow if it is falling. What does the night smell like? Is it the same as during the day or does it smell more clear and more fresh?
3. Have a Family Game Night. Depending on how much time you have, each family member can choose a game to play or you can write down everyone’s ideas and pick one out of a hat. Serve a special snack such as popcorn or fruit kabobs.
4. Go on a Family Hike. Explore some new or familiar hiking paths. Bring plenty of water and snacks and, of course, your camera to document these fun family memories!
5. Have Ice Cream for Breakfast!
You might have heard me mention this as a special surprise to get kids out the door on time.
However, serving ice cream for breakfast can also make for a fun morning. You can balance it out with fruit toppings, or go all out and enjoy chocolate syrup and sprinkles. It’s such a fun way to start the day off with smiles and giggles, give it a try!
These are just a few ideas you can use to get to know your children better and to experience how much JOY and FUN you can have as a family. Can you think of more?
If you are not feeling the FUN, or even love, for your kids at the moment,
it is OK to ask for help.
CLICK HERE to sign up for a 20-minute “sanity” session or send me an email at DrRenee@HelpingParentsParent.com.
I make time in my schedule to offer 5 sessions for free each month. This could be your month to get out of overwhelm and become the fun parent you imagined you would be.
Looking for more ideas or fun activities?
Sign up for my Weekly Parenting Tips and then check out my post on activities to do when your family has Cabin Fever.
I totally agree! making time to play together as a family is so much fun and helps bring you closer. We had family game and movie nights all the time when our son was growing up. And, even now as an adult living 300 miles away, my son will often call in on a Sunday evening to catch up while playing a session of Minecraft online.