If you’ve ever attended a new year’s party, chances are good you’ve heard the phrase ‘new year, new you.’ While most people set up audacious goals, I like to try keeping mine realistic, specific and manageable. One thought that came to mind was finding a few unique ways to spend time with my family. Here are some ideas to spend time together:
Volunteer more
Volunteering as a family teaches your children the importance of giving back and helping others. Inspiring them to do so also helps your family appreciate your own blessings and increases your child’s primitive empathy. This increases social and emotional self-awareness to build better relationships. Working together as a family is the perfect way to bond and create lasting memories, and there are so many opportunities to get involved in your own community! Start here and get inspired to make a difference!
Have a family night
I know I’ve mentioned this idea before, but it’s one that never gets old. Bring out the board games, make some snacks and watch movies! I know it can sometimes be difficult to find options for all ages in your family. Pure Flix offers a wide selection of wholesome, family-friendly movies everyone can enjoy. They even offer free homeschooling resources such as documentaries and cool science shows.
Spend more time outside
There are so many ways to have fun outdoors for a family day. Plan a picnic, even if it’s just in your backyard! Let everyone pick their favorite dish and make it together beforehand. For some fresh air, enjoy it at the park or the beach. Let the kids run around and play tag or start a game of ‘I Spy’ to keep them entertained.
Let your kids pick what you do
Whether it’s going to the zoo or a museum – your kids are sure to pick something fun! Look for fun things to do around town, set a budget and then hand them the reins. Allow them to plan the entire day by picking out places to eat and where to visit. Giving them some control empowers your children to feel independent, proud, and helps them cultivate leadership skills. Who knows, they might even pick something you would never have thought of doing!
Get moving
Get your bodies moving and sign-up for a Family Fun Run! Whether it’s a 1k, 5k, or 10k – get a group together and work toward the goal. It doesn’t have to be competitive either because the main goal is to finish together! The distances set up for these races are generally appropriate for kids and many encourage walking. Achieving a goal together as a family will boost your kid’s willingness to tag along for future activities.
Look at old photo albums together
This is a fun way to reflect on all the memories you’ve made together as a family. Laugh at old, embarrassing pictures, see how much you’ve grown and how things have changed. It’s important to remind your family to count their blessings and be thankful for one another. This is also a great time to break out the camera and take a few new family photos together! Whether it’s at the dinner table or at a park – dress up and take as many as you want. The best part is you can pick and choose which pictures to get developed, making sure to preserve your favorite moments for years to come.
Make a bucket list
This idea is totally customizable and easy for the whole family to participate in for a long time. Create a bucket list everyone can agree on and then set aside a day to knock a few activities off the list. Whether it’s visiting all the U.S. National State Parks or riding in a hot air balloon, write down things you’ve always wanted to do and check them off. They don’t all have to be extravagant so categorizing might be helpful. A new year is a time to make goals together and there’s no better way than making a plan of action.
Create a Time Capsule
Get crafty and create a time capsule filled with memories picked out by your family. A box filled with mementos is perfect for opening years from now. You can put pictures, written letters, advice, receipts, old toys, report cards, certificates, tickets, and other knick-knacks that’ll be a surprise to open up. A fun idea is to write a questionnaire for each family member to answer! Once you’re done, seal it up and put it somewhere safe and dry…and where you won’t forget about it!
Allocating a day just for the family is a great excuse to spend even more time with those you hold closest. Life gets busy at times, but occasionally you need to take a deep breath and take a step back. Whatever plans you have, make sure to take a day for family and work together to make it a great year full of memories! If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out my family outings ideas for 2018.
