Introduction
When life has become an endless cycle of here to there and back again,
it can be a terrific boost to have a day devoted to fun. A funathon can be just the trick
to break the cycle of daily life for you and your family. It is a day of casting your
cares aside on a quest for family fun.
What is a fun-a-thon?
A funathon is an exciting occasion when you and your family choose at least three fun
activities and spend the whole day doing them. It is a day that the family becomes so
involved in fun that they forget about the looming worries of every day life. A funathon
is an opportunity to share family experiences in a unique and exciting way.
Selecting Activities
A fun-a-thon starts first thing in the morning—after everyone
has slept in of course. A list is passed to each member of the family on which they write
a few fun activities they would like to do that day. When the list is completed, it is
full of great ideas of which a few will be selected to do that day. Parents should have
the final say on the activities chosen, but when a consensus can be reached it is
certainly worthwhile.
Selecting activities for a funathon can also be planned in advance. By
planning your day ahead of time, you are more likely to be well prepared for your
activities. In my experience, however, it has been more fun to be spontaneous when
springing the idea on the family. The kids are always excited to find that a full day of
fun awaits them, which they were not expecting. In selecting activities for a funathon it
can help to keep the following in mind:
| Allow everyone to contribute ideas and
don’t criticize them. |
| Choose ideas that can be accomplished in a
few hours or less, or else one activity may take up the whole day. |
| Choose activities that are in reasonably
close proximity to each other. Don’t let the day turn into just another
commute. |
| Try to plan your day to allow for bathroom
breaks and meals. The fun ends quickly without either of these. |
| Fit as many ideas into your day as can be
accomplished without complaints. As soon as the complaints begin, the fun
ends. |
| Keep your list with you. In case you need to
change your plans. |
Activity Suggestions
Sometimes it is not easy to think of fun ideas at the last minute. A
short list of general suggestions can be a great starting point for you and your family
to come up with new ideas. Fun-a-thon activities do not need to be costly adventures.
Many times the simplest activities can be the most fun.
Encourage your family to be creative when considering ideas for new
activities. It can be great fun to see how many clever ideas your family can produce when
they put their minds to the task. The following list is provided to get you started on
some ideas for fun-a-thon activities:
|
Activity Ideas: List
|
| Movies |
Baking |
Barbeque |
| Swimming |
A Scenic
Drive |
Picnic |
| Kite
Flying |
Bicycle
Riding |
A Short
Hike |
| Zoo |
Museum |
Library |
| Planetarium |
Board
Games |
Sports |
| Miniature
Golf |
Crafts |
Photography |
| Bowling |
Planting Flowers
or Trees |
Puppet
Show |
| Video Game
Challenge |
Art |
Site
Seeing |
Hopefully this list will help to get your family thinking about fun
ideas that apply in your area. It is not meant to be a complete list, but rather a list
of general categories into which you can produce specific activities. The best activities
will arise from the imagination and creativity of your family.
Planning the Day
Once you have chosen the activities for your fun-a-thon, it is
necessary to plan out your day. Sit with your family for a few minutes and discuss the
items you will need for each activity and the order in which they will be done. Consider
any factors that will make activities more suited to different times of the day (morning,
afternoon, night, etc.). Write down the items you will need on a list and have your
family help you gather them together. When you are ready to go, you can use the list of
items as a checklist to be sure you have everything you need. Don’t forget to take
your camera!
Having Fun
Your fun day may involve staying home to play, roaming the streets, or
a combination of both. It is exciting to see if you can complete all of the fun
activities you have planned. While your family’s energy is so focused on having
fun, it is easy to forget the cares and worries of every day life. These are moments that
your family will treasure for many years to come.
Conclusion
A fun-a-thon is a great way for your family to
escape from the busy routine of everyday life. Allow your family to take part in choosing
activities and preparing items needed for the day. Encourage your family to be creative
in coming up with new ideas. Make it your mission to have as much fun as you can
together. A fun-a-thon day is one that your family will always look forward to, and
rarely forget.
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