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41. Indoor Blanket Tents
Go crazy with the furniture! Bring all of the chairs you can find
into one room. Set chairs next to one another as walls of your tent. Drape large blankets
over the chairs as the roof of the tent. Try different arrangements for variety. Make
tunnels, hideouts, and more. Mom and Dad need to get down in the tent too. With a little
imagination this activity is a lot of fun.
42. Kickball
Get the family out in the yard for kickball. Line up on 2 sides of
the yard and kick the ball to each other. You can make the game similar to "catch" where
you kick the ball as close to the person on the other side as you can, or you can make
the game to try to kick the ball past each other. Make your own rules and have lots of
fun.
43. Kids' 15 Minute Activity Picks
Make a committment to share at least 15 minutes a day doing an
activity of your kids' choice. It is so easy to get caught up in the busieness of life
that we end up not doing anything with our kids. Don't let this happen. Let your kids be
in charge of planning a simple short daily activity. You will be surprised at all of the
fun things they will come up with.
44. Kite, Plane, and Rocket Day
Get your flying gizmos and send them skyward. Whether it is a
simple kit or a combination of several flying machines, it can be a blast to share take
flight as a family. Let the kids fly their own kites if you can or share what you have.
Be sure no one is left out of the action. It can also be fun to build a kite, plane, or
rocket from a kit. Flying something you build together can bring everyone a real sense of
accomplishment.
45. Laser Tag
Go to a facility that offers laser tag. Make family teams for each
session do some stealthy laser shooting. Change the teams every few games to shake things
up and to make things fair. Alternatively you can purhase laser tag equipment quite
affordably. Then you can get out in the yard or go to a park for laser tag any time it is
convenient.
46. Library
Encourage your family to read by going to a library and picking
out books on topics of interest. Spend some time at the library to find out what is
offered and how you can add to your family's reading experience.
47. Listen to Favorite Music
Everyone in the family should pick some of their favorite CD's or
MP3 music. Sit together as a family and take turns playing your favorite songs. Tell your
family what you like about the songs. Encourage the kids to dance and dance and dance
with the kids if you're not to shy. Above all, enjoy the music and the variety that your
family shares.
48. Make a Family Recipe Cookbook
Experiment as a family in the kitchen by making new foods. Try
family recipes and make a few new creations. Let the kids tell you what they like and
what you can make better (their opinions, although frequently brutal, are generally
honest and will lead you to make better foods). Most importantly, write them down. When
you finally get that tasty dish, write it down so you can make it again. Begin to build a
Family Recipe Cookbook and you will be amazed how many delicious meals you can cook in a
short time.
49. Make a Real Home Movie ~ See our article on Making Family Movies
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It is fun to make home videos of your family doing cute things,
but it can also be fun to make a real home movie. Write a short screenplay (script) and
consider settings and camera angles. Do everything as a family and enjoy the process of
movie making. To get started see our article on Making
Family Movies.
50. Make Dinner Together
Make the family a part of your every day dinners. Let the kids
participate in setting the table and helping you get ingredients for the meals. This will
help your kids learn how to cook and make it easier on the cook. Additionally let
everyone be involved in the after dinner clean up. When everyone participates the work
gets done faster, the food is ready quicker, and the cooking mess is cleaned up sooner.
The end result is that everyone can have fun sooner!
51. Miniature Golf
Whether you're a scratch golfer or you need a big handicap,
miniature golf is always a fun outing for the family.
52. Movie or TV Show Marathon
Gather the family together for DVD movies or TV shows that you
really love. This is an occasional opportunity to enjoy shows without
interruption.
53. Movie Trivia Game
Watch a movie before the rest of your family. Write trivia
questions about the movie as it plays. Print the trivia questions for your family with a
computer or make copies. Give every member of your family a copy of the questions. Watch
the movie with your family and let them answer the questions as the movie plays. Give a
small prize to the first one to get all of the questions right (or who gets the most
questions right).
54. Museum Day
Go to a local museum with your family. There are many types of
museums with a variety of interests. Some museums offer hands-on displays that you are
allowed to handle and experience up close.
55. Play Music and/or Sing Songs
For the musically inclined, get the family together and play songs
with musical instruments. Those who don't know how to play an instrument can sing the
songs or just appreciate the music of those who do. It is always fun to appreciate the
talents of those in your family who can play a tune.
56. New Places (explore new local or far
away places)
Take the family out and go exploring. Go for a drive and discover
local or far away places where you haven't been before. This will help you to know an
area better and give you opportunities to find new parks and places of
interest.
57. Out to a Movie
Once in a while it is fun to see a movie on the silver screen. If
you don't go to the movies very often it can be fun to slurge when you do. Get the big
bucket of popcorn and some drinks. Make it a fun experience for the whole
family.
58. Paper Mache
Gather up your old newspaper, and a tray of water. Make a frame of
chicken wire or some other type of framework and see what you can create. Add some paint
to your creation when it dries. Everyone can work on a single project or do one of their
own.
59. Park for Play
Get the family and go to a park just for the purpose of playtime.
Play on playground equipment and enjoy outdoor sports that are available. Try a few
outdoor toys. Bring a leashed pet if allowed. Sit under a tree for a bit. Just go to the
park together and have fun. Don't forget to take some pictures.
60. Pasta Art
Using several different types of past and some glue, create works
of art. See what you and your kids can build with pasta. When you are done building,
paint the creation with craft paints.
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