Guidelines

Judge new, rarely- or never-before-tasted foods (fruits, vegetables, healthy recipes, other healthy foods) by choosing 3 similar types of food and have family members rank them 1 for the best, 2 for good, and 3 for not as good. Count up all of the points for each food. The food with the most points is now the new “Food Idol” in your home for the week.

- Martin Family, Easley, SC
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Choose a theme for hiking/walking. Collect pictures of leaves, identify birds, or create a treasure map. Capture pictures of the family on a hike/walk; write down thoughts and stories from the hike/walk.

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Develop a list of all the wildlife (animals) you may see in your community. Go for a walk as a family and see if you can find your list of wildlife near your home or on a family hike.

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Sundays in our house are deemed No-Electronic Sundays. No screen time-for anyone! A lot more book reading and family or sibling games happen, and it's peaceful!

- Zalokar-Jones Family, Columbus, OH
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We are a blended family with three boys, ages 12, 13, and 16 years old. Our popular family activity is called "Comedy Night". The three boys will turn the family room into a comedy night club with a stage and microphone and then perform funny skits and comedy acts. We all end up having lots of fun and lots of laughs.

- Lawrence & Priest Family, Santee, CA
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For fun ask “where's dinner” meaning where shall we eat tonight?
It could be on the porch or the patio, on the stairs or the family room floor as if an indoor picnic.
Consideration of what types of food to be served is important. With chairs and blankets make a tent and pretend you are far far away and describe what it's like where you are and what "foods" you're having there. Ask questions like is it sandy, hot or cold, any animals lurking around?

- Rubio Family, Avon, IN
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Work and school during the week, so as a way to connect as a family early in the weekend try a fun Saturday in the park routine...pack a picnic breakfast (healthy food only!) and together as a family walk or ride bikes to the local park...at the park play, eat breakfast and enjoy this special time together...the park is usually not very busy early in the morning which adds to the fun! It is a great way to spend time together before busy weekend schedules and chores begin.

- Diamond Family, Raleigh, NC
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Have a community garden host a Family Garden Club.

Park Play Day could include Kite-Flying, Kick-ball and Arts n Crafts.

Park Arts n Crafts portion could include families making row markers for the vegetable garden.

- Thomas Family, Detroit, MI
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Every evening while we are enjoying dinner together, which we do every night, we take turns in sharing "the best thing that happened to me today" and "the worst thing that happened". It is wonderful to hear what happened in everybody's day. And also to see that there are good and not as good things happening all the time. We stay very connected to each other through this family time activity.

- Jabs-Devins Family, Rochester, NY
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Get together as a family and create a hand signal or gesture that you can use in public to silently tell each other that you love one another. For example, your signal could be to gently squeeze one another's hand 3 times which means “I Love You”. The whole family will enjoy keeping this special secret and even teenagers will find it useful for telling their family how they feel without being “embarrassed” in front of others.

- YMCA of the USA Family
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