Friday, May 25, 2012

Family Fun – 10 things to do this Memorial Day Weekend

Looking for some fun things to do with your family this weekend.  Here I have shared 10 ideas, please leave your own ideas in the comments to me and other readers have even more things they could do with their family for fun this weekend and beyond.

1. Go on a mystery trip! Give your kids clues about your destination as you get closer, but keep them guessing! The possible destinations are endless, just keep it a surprise and keep it fun!

2. Work in or plant a garden. Kids love to get dirty, so make it a learning experience. You can let your child(ren) pick out the kind of plant (flowers, vegetables, etc.). While doing this, talk about what will be needed to take care of the plant and make it an on-going family project.

3. Create a weekend photograph book. Explain to your child(ren) that you are making a photograph book of all the fun and silly things that happen this weekend. You can then sit down and allow your child(ren) to pick out the pictures to include in the physical or digital scrapbook. In the end, you’ll have a perfect gift or personal keepsake of a great and memorable weekend.

4. Go on a bike ride. It is always great to mix physical fitness in with family time. Not only does it help keep you and your family healthy, it also sets a great example for your children. Make sure to take time to teach them how to live a healthy life.

5. Prepare for a garage sale. Go through old stuff and start clearing out some of the clutter. Allow your children to participate and be able to sell some of their stuff. This is a great opportunity to teach about three things we do with money we earn. We spend, save and give. Make sure your child(ren) does at least a little of each with any money they earn.

6. Be servant-leaders. Go into your community and look for areas where you can help. For example, while at the park your child could identify a kid that needs someone to play with or look for litter that you can pick up together. Find ways to serve as a family to instill in your child a spirit of generosity.

7. Make a healthy treat together. Have your child pick one of his/her favorite treats then work together to find a way to make it healthier for them (if it isn’t already.) Have them help you come up with a list of ingredients and then walk/bike/drive to the store to get the materials you need if you don’t have them. Make the yummy treat and you will have a healthy snack and a wonderful memory.

8. Pack and eat a picnic. Have your child help make sandwiches and pack the items needed in your picnic basket or bag. Make sure to allow them to have some say in the items packed. If you don’t think they are making healthy choices, make sure to use this opportunity to teach them. Then take the picnic somewhere outside (even your own backyard) and lay out a blanket and enjoy the meal packed with love and joy.

9. Visit family members. I know it is sometimes hard to get back home and visit your parents/grandparents. Take this weekend as a great opportunity to connect with them even if you have to do it by Skype if they live to far away. Keeping the social connection with family is important. Make sure they know you love them and you give your children the opportunity to know they are loved by other adults too.

10. Talk about your family. Talk to your children about those family members who have passed away, so they can have an appreciation of the past and see that life exists beyond the present time. Visit the cemetery to lay flowers on a loved one’s grave, so they can begin to understand that life on Earth does not last forever. This does not need to be morbid, but it can be an experience that can lead to some positive conversations as kids grow up and turn into a tradition that could last forever.

What are your ideas?  Please leave them in the comments!

3 comments:

  1. If you are looking for some free things to do in Des Moines this weekend I saw this posted on facebook. http://frugalplayground.com/2012/05/25/4263/

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  2. Fantastic ideas - I will be saving this for reference when I need to refresh my arsenal of family fun. :D Enjoy your holiday weekend!

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  3. I hope you enjoy your weekend too. We took a road trip to Cedar Rapids and have been enjoying spending time with out family. William picked out some a plant for our garden when he was out last night so we are looking forward to planting it when we get home. Some of my ideas, the weekend got to warm for, but most are applicable anytime of the year and we will try to do more through-out our summer.

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