Movie night is fine, but sometimes, the family just wants to do something different. Here are 5 unique family activities that are sure to please!
School’s out! For kids, that means “no more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks.” For Mom and Dad, though, it likely signals a summer’s worth of kids complaining about how bored they are.
Not this year. Take a look at our list of unique family activities that everyone will look forward to — and remember fondly for the rest of their lives!
5 Family Activities That Are Anything But Boring
Before you get too excited about these fun family outings, check the calendar for potential conflicts, and make sure any grownups have arranged to take vacation days from work. After all, family activities aren’t as much fun if Mom’s stuck at work or if you have to cut the adventure short to attend Cousin Jennifer’s wedding.
1. Go Geocaching
If you’ve never tried geocaching, you’re in for a treat. It’s basically a real-world treasure hunt. Not only is geocaching something the whole family can enjoy, it also gets everyone out into the Great Outdoors and provides good exercise.
You might discover places in your hometown that you never knew existed. You might make some new friends. And your kids will definitely discover the thrill of the hunt while having memorable adventures!
2. Host a Block Party
Family activities become even more fun when there are lots of families involved, so invite the whole neighborhood to a midsummer block party. Ask everyone to bring a dish to pass, and set up games like a ring toss, bean bag toss, ladderball, and bocce.
Source a stereo system so you can play music that’s kid-friendly (but not cloying or annoying for adults). Check out Dan Zanes, Laurie Berkner, and They Might Be Giants. After dark, hand out sparklers as one last hurrah before bedtime.
3. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Want to give your kids a surefire subject for next fall’s “what I did over summer vacation” essay? Take them on a ride in a hot air balloon for kids!
Before you embark, be sure your child is old enough to understand the requirements for this gentle flight above the treetops. The burner can be hot and noisy and your child will need to remain still for a fairly long while. There’s also the height element, which can be frightening.
If your little ones are big enough to handle it all, however, you will be richly rewarded by the amazing views this aerial adventure offers!
4. Choose a Summer-long Quest
One creative family activity? Choose a mission to pursue all summer long.
Maybe you set off to find out who’s got the best ice cream sundae in your area. (Whenever possible, ride your bikes there, to offset the added calories!) Or keep it on the cheap by experimenting with homemade popsicle recipes — try a new one each week.
Ask the kids to design scorecards that everyone can fill out. This will help you keep track of which summertime treats you loved most, but it also adds to the fun.
5. Get Crafty
Encourage your child’s natural curiosity and creativity by keeping craft supplies on hand. You might even designate one day of the week as Discovery Day, and plan a new craft, science project, or experiment for each.
Hands-on family activities like these teach your kids lots of valuable skills, including how to recycle ordinary objects and make their own fun.
Ready… Set… SUMMER!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this selection of great family activities to keep you and yours entertained over the summer. For more suggestions, safety tips, and other content geared toward parents of spirited kids, bookmark our blog and check back often!