January 15, 2014
On many parents’ New Years resolution list are the words “spend more time with my family.” So why not check out this list of 15 must-do activities with your child to get those creative juices flowing this spring!
- Read a book. Or two. Or five. Kids of ALL ages benefit greatly from reading aloud!
- Need to spruce up your book collection? Dust off your library cards and hit the library together as a family. Make it more fun by picking out books for each other and have fun seeing what your family thought you might enjoy reading.
- Start a family game night. We’re not necessarily talking about the Wii (although it is pretty fun in moderation to play age appropriate video games with your kids.) We’re talking old-school favorites like Uno, Monopoly (Jr if necessary), Life, Connect 4 and other classics like these that bring your family together. Let everyone in the family take turns picking the game of the night and come up with fun rewards (think: bragging rights for a week or picking out dinner the following night) for the overall night’s winner.
- Use your hands. Get crafty. Build something together. It could be something you need like a flower box or planting a garden. Or it could just be a fun craft like a model (yes, they still make those!) or build-your-own Valentine cards. Help your kids flex those motor skills by using their brains and their hands to make something cool.
- Have a pillow fight. Enough said.
- Tackle spring cleaning. No really, this CAN be fun! If you’re scared to see what lays behind door #2, just pick small tasks to start like scanning your kids’ closets for clothes that they don’t wear or no longer fit. Baby steps.
- Visit a museum. Think your kids will yawn just at the thought of it? Try finding a children’s museum, or a hands-on science museum. There are so many cool things to explore out there, even for the biggest of naysayers (read: your 13 year old son).
- See a movie. Let your kids take turns picking (appropriate movies of course).
- Can’t get to the theater? Make movie night at home. Try recycling an oldie-but-a-goodie your kids have never seen like the Back to the Future series – trust me on this one!
- Go for a walk. Or a run. Or a hike. You get the point. The important part is that you get moving…as a family!
- Finish your Christmas thank-you cards. No, seriously. This might not be that fun to do, but it goes a long way in teaching our children to be grateful and to demonstrate their appreciation for the actions of others.
- Have a family stay-cation. Let your kids have a turn planning the day’s activities. They’ll enjoy having a voice in the planning process, and this way you know they’ll enjoy the activities selected.
- Plan family dinner. This means everyone in the family plays a role. Someone can inventory the available ingredients in your fridge, freezer and pantry. Someone can research a recipe online. Someone can cook. Someone can set the table. Someone can clean. Everyone has a part and you can even sneak in some education (research, writing ingredients down, measuring, etc.) Don’t worry – we won’t tell if you won’t! Need some ideas? Check out these recipes we posted in September of last year.
- Set some goals. It gives everyone a sense of pride to look back at the year and realize how much you accomplished. If you missed it, we posted some suggestions for setting SMART goals in a recent Club Z! blog – check it out!
- Laugh. It has been proven time and time again that laughter is good for the mind, body and soul. So let loose. Get dirty. Ignore the rules every once and a while. And enjoy your time together as a family – our kids grow up WAY too fast!
