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!