egg nog jog

This year the weekend before Christmas we have the chance to join in a local "egg nog jog". It is a night time family fun run/walk. It is basically a fun way to get out and see Christmas lights and enjoy the season. Best of all it's FREE! I think this could be a new tradition starting!

Apple Store

The Apple Store seems like a fun place to spend a little family time. Here you can all learn about new gadgets and even get some hands on feel about the products. There is even a kids station where kiddos can get hooked on the gadgets Apple offers. Just be sure to balance all the screen time with a little face to face time too!!

carnival

It seems that this month is full of local carnivals. It's a great way to spend some family time. Families can take advantage of good weather (or being indoors if the weather is not so good!) The fall air brings relief from the summer heat and spirits are happy enjoying the fresh air and festivities. Carnivals are also a good way to support local causes.

vacation bible school

If your family is not opposed to church going, vacation bible school can be a great family activity. Many churches offer week long or other types of vacation bible school during the summer. While these are mostly geared toward children, some places have family programs. Many are free or are very affordable. Vacation Bible School can be a wholesome family activity.

stewardship

Although this is more a lifestyle than a one time family activity, it is imperative to teach our children, our families, about stewardship. Kids need to learn early about how to save, spend and give money. Giving them small amounts of money (whether allowance, pay for chores, or gifts) to practice with is a great tool to really imbed these concepts in their minds. They can start while still young giving to charities and making purchases for the things they want (gum, candy, etc.)

 As they age it is important for families to impart the practice of saving money too. One day these same kids will want to make bigger purchases (shoes, movies, etc.) Having them learn to put off these purchases while saving money is crucial. This way once these kids enter early adulthood they will be well versed and ready to pay for entertainment, buy a car and even buy a house (whether using something like VA home loan rates or a cash downpayment.)


 These type of family activities throughout family life will prove invaluable to parents, kids and society alike.

happy hour

Any time you can find a family friendly happy hour, it's a fun time for all. One of our favorites is the local Sonic who provides happy hour every day from 2-4 where all fountain drinks are half price. This is a great affordable family outing for everyone to cool off with an ice cold drink!

campout

Family campouts can be fun for all ages. Whether tenting or in a cabin, kids seem to get a kick of staying in the outdoors. There is lots of nature to see and discover. Many activities can be combined with a camping trip-from fishing and boating to hiking, cycling and stargazing. Camp out food is also part of the fun-hot dogs, s'mores, and many other delights. And best of all, some great bonding time comes when sharing these activities together.

pool

A great family activity that is usually a hit with all ages is the swimming pool! Whether you have a neighborhood pool, a city pool, or a pool in your own backyard, this is the place to go when the weather heats up. Everyone can cool off and relax in the water and enjoy some time at the side of the pool. While it may take a little while for the youngest ones to acclimate to the pool, with some easy encouragement and lots of focus on fun, the pool can bring some good family bonding time while everyone enjoys staying cool!

Father's Day

Gathering to honor fathers is seemingly low on the totem pole of our lives. I heard today on the radio that it falls short of Mother's Day, kids, and even pets in terms of amounts of money spent. So don't let this Father's Day fall short in your family. Whether you spend money or not, be sure to show your father or father figure how much he means to you!

yard work

Spending time working together in the yard is good for everyone in the family. Mom and dad get a little help and kids learn skills, that they are needed and a part of the family, and that one must work to get by in life. It can be a fun time too. Working together in the yard can provide nice outside time together with everyone in a win-win situation.

hiking

I have been taking my nephews hiking nearly every weekend for the past few months. We have gone to several different places. There have been easy walks to longer and harder jaunts. We have been to wooded areas as well as urban locales. Our favorites have been some paths through the woods in local parks. Last weekend we even went to the highest bridge in our area and "hiked" over it. These hikes have been good for our physical, mental and relational health.

family safety

Family safety is of vital importance to every family, especially as kids come along. I know our neighbors had a recent scare with an incident while they were not home. Fortunately another neighbor saw the incident and intervened. After this happened the neighbor whose home the incident took place had to have a family safety meeting to go over safety measures and to decide what Total Alarm Systems they were going to utilize at their house. Since then I have heard about the system they got and have seen the husband installing his new alarm system. I hope this will help keep the family safe for a long time.

current events

Families with children of any age can start talking about current events in age appropriate terms. It helps kids to learn what is going on in the world around them, it broadens their perspective, it even builds vocabulary. It helps mom and dad share and pass on family values. Talking about current events with kids can be a very important ideal done in a very casual way, which in turn makes it more likely that kids will be interested, listen and learn.

hiking

Family hikes together do not have to be some big expedition. My nephews and I have had a good time hiking each weekend at local parks and even a field out near our house. Some of our parks have trails which give it a feel of a "hike" more but even walking out in the field took a good long time. Just find somewhere to explore together and take a hike!

On the Sunny Side

The article written by Victor Flowers

Our weather over the last week has been positively dreadful! Although its winter and I fully expect that the sun won’t shine every day this time of year, a whole week of rain and no sunshine has been depressing. Thank goodness for Dish Network! At least I have something to keep me entertained on these days when it is too nasty to go outside or get in the car and go anywhere. Any time I want something to watch, all I have to do is check the channel guide and find something exciting. Lately I’ve been watching the travel channel. They’ve been running a series on exotic sunny locations and boy has it made my days! I figure if I can’t see the sunshine through my windows at least I can see it through my television. Yesterday’s episode was about Jamaica. What I wouldn’t give for a trip there this time of year. Gorgeous sandy beaches, warm blue water, and a full service resort at my disposal is just what this time of year ordered!

family dinners

I have read time and again how important it is to have regular family dinners together. Meals where everyone is present and seated together. These meals may not actually be dinner and they may not be every day. But making them a regular part of the family routine is healthy for everyone. There are many reasons why, and you can read them in many sources. But sometimes it is hard to make family meals work. Some good ideas can be to have two or three times a week set aside for family meals, no interruptions. Having a meal together for breakfast can achieve the same goal. Or even when worse comes to worse, eating together out or even in the car on the way to the next event, or at the next event at least stopping for a few minutes to sit together and share a meal, time and conversation is a perfect family bond-building activity.