Guidelines

My 9 yr. old and myself (mom) ride our bikes around the neighborhood. No certain time of day. One of us just asks,"Are you ready to go for a bike ride?" Fun times!!!! Good exercise!

- Melissa Family, Houston, TX
Print this Activity

We are a busy family with 4 children ranging from 3-11 years of age. The three oldest children are very involved in school, competitive sports, church, and other group activities and true all-together-family time is rare and precious. Every night that all 6 of us can sit down for a family dinner our kids clamor to see whose turn it is to control "Days starting with....” If you can imagine a 3 year old rolling her hands around saying "Days starting with ......DADDY!" as she points excitedly to Daddy, it is pretty cute=o) Anyway, then Daddy tells about his day from beginning to end with all the highlights in between. Then the child in charge selects another member of the family to tell about their day, until everyone has had a turn. It has been a great way for our family to maintain a connection when getting pulled in several directions and something that we all look forward too!

- Van Ostrand Family, Lincoln, NE
Print this Activity

We take walks as a family around the neighborhood and gather lots of leaves, berries, ferns, sticks, feathers (if we are lucky), flower petals (dried and fresh) and then we glue all our goodies on shoe boxes both inside and out. These boxes become fairy houses. Then we take Popsicle sticks, draw faces and use some of our leftover flower petals and leaves and make dresses for girl fairies and pants and shirts for boy fairies and we put them in the houses.

- Adamson Family, Arlington, VA
Print this Activity

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
Print this Activity

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.

Print this Activity

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.

Print this Activity

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
Print this Activity

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
Print this Activity

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
Print this Activity

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
Print this Activity