2009-Oct-1 - Simple Pleasures Are Best~FREE Family Fun Ideas~
Recently I was asked about family fun activities~my brain went to cranking, and I began to REMEMBER the things we've done that seemed most memorable!
When considering some rest and relaxation for our families, it doesn't have to break the piggy bank for our children to enjoy it. Some of the best things in life are free~you know I love FREE, right? Free experiences are awesome in this economy and teach some very valuable lessons to our children.
It teaches them that simplicity is valuable.
It teaches that God's world is beautiful and to be enjoyed.
It teaches that money is to be used wisely. Not saying extravagance isn't wise, but in looking at not so much what we spend on, but HOW we spend can make the difference.
It teaches that recycling is fun and possible. When we use something up or repurpose an item, our kids find creativity like they have never experienced before!
It teaches that pleasure is right where we are~we don't have to take a bus, plane, boat or car often to have enjoyment in life!
It teaches that family is more important that the "scream" of this world and its call to us!
With these lessons, here are some of my ideas for SIMPLE family fun~
1. Taking a walk in the seasons. How about just around your neighborhood. It's amazing the things you will learn about your community this way, and some of the neighbors are probably on the porch...say Hi! for me ;-))
2. Picking flowers out of the garden together~obviously you have to have a garden, but go out and pick a bouquet for the table for dinner. Smell all the flowers if you or your child isn't allergic~enjoy the beauty!
3. Take a blanket, quilt or sheet; I prefer a sheet as it's easier to wash later and go out for a picnic or just to sit together in the grass. Look for a four-leaf clover. . .pick wild violets...compare the blades of grass. . .sky gaze and discuss the fun images you can see in the clouds! Head out at night~star gazing is fun too!
4. Get out a fun board game or puzzle. We recently discovered Boggle with my kids! What fun!! But there are so many games. . .Monopoly, Uno, chess, charages, 21 questions, and checkers along with all kinds of cards from fish, war and rummy. Do you remember the games you played? Hey, there's a whole bunch for outside too~hide and seek, duck duck goose, tag, freeze tag, war, "house"(be careful with this one ;-)), we used to pretend to be our favorite characters from books and later TV~today one might need caution on some of the character play~but if you keep it wholesome...I mean, if your child is allowed to watch ick on TV or movies, then you can reast assured the ick will come out in play! My 2 cents: make it all wholesome in the home! AND HAVE FUN!
5. I don't recommend this often, but watch a movie together. Be sure as I know you do, that it's age and child content friendly. The makers slip so much JUNK into them that's not good these days.
6. Go visit somebody as a family. Of course you will need to clear it a head of time, but some of my best times as a kid were visiting friends and family with my parents. Grandparents love to see their grands! What about a shut in or someone who is lonely? Visits can be anyone who would enjoy it~nursing homes are good places too!
7; Family plays and concerts. Does anyone play an instrument or can the kids get a play together? Entertainment night on a cold dank night snug in the house can be so much fun as everyone participates in doing some kind of talent, I guess you can say, "____________ (your last name) Family's Got Talent" and have a talent show too, or do it vauldville style!
8. Have a sing a long~play some favorite music and everyone take turns singing! Got a mic? Get it out! This can be so much fun!!
9. Turn OFF the TV and computer and TELL family stories. Get out the annuals and family albums...share your past with your children. They need to hear and know their past! It's fun when you say, "which on is me?" and they can't find you...well...OK! Maybe not that much fun, but it's a hoot to see IF they can find us 'after all these years!'
10. Have a dance contest on the living room or den floor! Play some oldies but goodies and let the kids rip~you can dance with them too~my kids got the biggest howl over me dancing once to a PBS special of music from 'my era.' They had never EVER seen mama get so gregarious! It was so much fun!!
What are your ideas? I know you do fun things with your family~leave me a comment and let me know; I'd love to hear!
Blessings,
SisterTipster
