Go Fly a Kite
Take a windy afternoon and go to the park to fly a kite. Pack your family a picnic and take the day to enjoy the outdoors. You can find a cheap kite at your local dollar store for no more than $5. You, your spouse, and your children, especially if they are young, will have so much fun flying a kite that you may be at it for hours. It is good for you to get outside and get some fresh air and the fun you will have will be very memorable.
Have a Movie Night
Whether it be a movie that you already have or one that your rent, having a movie night is a great way to get your family together. Mom, make some popcorn and some fudge; Dad, go rent a family movie; and kids, spread some blankets and pillows out on the floor. This is the perfect scene for a family movie night. Pigging out on snacks and watching a great movie while chilling out on the floor is fun for the whole family.
Take a Nature Walk
If you live where I live, you will have no problem finding some woods to trudge through, but if you live in the city, it may be harder. All states have State Parks, so if you can find out where one is, take your family and walk on one of their nature hikes. My mom and dad use to take us kids all the time on nature hikes and I must tell you, I have never felt more alive and more happy to be a part of nature, to learn about nature, and to spend time with my parents and siblings (even as a teenager). It is a great way to get exercise and a great way to learn.
Have a Game Night
Even if it is candy land, or pick-up-sticks, you and your children will have so much fun playing a game together. Most people have board games on hand and if you don't pick a couple up at wal-mart or the dollar store. Children's games are fairly inexpensive (about $5- $8 a piece) Heck, even if you have teenagers, purchase a game that they will be interested in. There are movie and television board games, or trivia games that teens will get in to. Just whatever they like. This is a good way to see how much they really know! If you want to make it interesting, winner gets a bag of candy, or free time on the computer. Make up a good prize so that your older child or even younger child will want to play even more!
Have a Dance
When I crank up the tunes at my house, my kids go nuts! They love to dance. They shake their butts, and they spin in circles, and they throw their hands up in the air! Even though my dances are unorganized, they are fun. There is a more coordinated way to have a dance, right in the middle of your living room. Move all your furniture to the walls of your living room. Make some appetizers and some punch to put on your coffee table. Get your kids to dress up in last years Easter outfits and you and your spouse get all fancied up too! Turn on some children's music, or whatever your kids are in to and host a dance! Dad will dance with his little girl and mom will dance with her little boy. Make sure mom gets to dance with dad at least once! It is so much fun to have a dance, and I am sure your children will love it!
Slip and Slide
If you can't get to the pool this summer or even to the beach, (or if you're poor like me and don't have a pool in your back yard) make a slip and slide. You can purchase one really cheap at Wal-mart or the dollar store, but those have a weight limit, us adults are not going to be able to slide on those without breaking them. My suggestion is to get some black rolled plastic, spread it on the ground, spike it into the ground, spray it with the water hose or keep your sprinkler on it and go to town. Even the neighbor kids will enjoy coming over to slip and slide on your concoction! This is a great way to spend time with your family and cool off all at the same time!
All of these suggestions are fairly inexpensive and you are guaranteed to have so fun. Spending time with your family is so important, so why not make the best out of it. Give your child the memories so that when they have their own kids they will remember what you gave them and pass it along!
