Family Archives - The Motherly Heap

Halloween Family Ideas For Fun At Home

Jordan N. — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:07:46 +0000

Spooky time is here! Are you out of ideas to try this Halloween? Check out the list of simple yet fun-filled ideas for Halloween family activities at home. No need to leave your house, if you prefer to stay in. Fun right at your home and yards (front/back). You can check out this post if you want well-rounded fall family traditions. That includes pumpkin patches, hiking, feasts, Halloween, etc. Whatever your family decides to do this year, there are endless options for making this one day a year of spooky, fun, and happy Halloween. So whether you are planning to go all out with the Halloween feast or create Halloween moments with stuff already in the house – let everyone pitch in on the fun. 13 Halloween Fun Ideas at Home with family! Poke the pumpkin game. You use cups and place candy or stuff inside each cup. Cover with wrapping paper for easy poking. Some cups will be empty—two tries per person. Build your scary popcorn. Heat popcorn per instructions. Prepare toppings and drizzles on the side. Decorate as you like. Wrap the body. You’re going to use a roll of toilet paper per team. The first team to mummy wrap the person in the group wins. You’ve got 3 minutes to complete the challenge! Eyeballs Hunt. Get as many eyeballs as possible and hide inside the house. Then, the Eyeball Scavenger hunt begins. You can exchange as many eyeballs for a prize or treat. Guess the spiders. Print out the picture. Have the person guess how many spiders are in a jar in 5 seconds. The closest number to the total count gets a prize. Download and print this game! Spooky Movies. Gather the whole family and pick a Halloween movie to watch. Set up movie treats and enjoy. Here’s a spectacular list of movies for you to watch! Draw Scary Pumpkin. Get a box of big chalks. Go out in the concrete front or backyard, and time to let lose the Halloween pumpkin creativity. The scariest pumpkin wins. Related Posts: Halloween Costumes for The Whole Family Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year Camp out in the dark. Prepare the tent ahead of time. Set it up in the afternoon and get lanterns inside the tent. Turn off all outside lights. Go inside and do hand shadows or read a spooky book. Tell a spooky make-up story. Gather round a firepit. You can roast some marshmallows for smores if you want. Share a spooky story, made-up or real. Let everyone take a turn. Make fun treats. What a fun way to create Halloween memories than baking or making fun treats for everyone. Grab your favorite cookie or cupcake recipes and go all out on decorations. Pin the witch’s broom. Draw a witch on a piece of paper or cardboard. Then draw a witch’s broom and cut it. Finally, have each person pin the broom to the witch while blindfolded. Prizes await. Download Small Template. Chocolate Blind Test. Get 4 or 6 pieces of different chocolates to taste. Unwrap each one of them and place them on a plate. The person who can guess most chocolates will receive a treat/prize. Cute face painting. Keep hypoallergenic face paint on hand. Prepare a table and two chairs. The person can choose what animals they want. For another twist: Write down a Halloween character or superhero on a piece of paper. Roll the paper and place it in a bowl. Each person will pull a piece of paper and have the character drawn on their face. What are your Halloween Family Ideas To Do at Home? There are many Halloween ideas you can try out this year. However, these are only a few of several activities you can do with the family without leaving home. I hope you try one or more of the fun ideas. Happy Halloween!

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December Family Bucket List

Jordan N. — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 23:44:12 +0000

Week two of December 2021 is done! Got two more weeks to spend some family time with this December Bucket List! How’s the holiday spirit? Is your Christmas tree up? Since when? Or are you gathering your Christmas decorations to put up this weekend? Either way, ready or not – Christmas is coming. When it comes to holiday celebrations, each family has its traditions and celebrates this beautiful festive season of the year. Does your tradition involve making cookies, attending a Christmas party, driving around town to see the lights, or lining up children’s Christmas arts to do? If you want to add some new family tradition ideas this year, you can check out this December family bucket list! This post contains affiliate links to products. I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase from the product links at no cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here. Let’s get on with Our December Bucket List for the Whole Family. 1. Check out Christmas Tree Lights. You can grab your jackets, and winter hats and get ready to check out Christmas lights around the neighborhood. You may get lucky to see a decorated house with a lights display and enjoy the show with the rest of the other people around. By this time, the city’s Christmas tree had already been lit a week ago; this is an excellent opportunity to visit the area with the whole family and take a photo. 2. Go Ice Skate with the whole family. With young kids up to teens ice skating activity, you can’t go wrong. There’s a magical aura in dancing on ice or even just gliding and listening to holiday music. You can let the children do the ice skating, and you and your spouse can sit back on the sidelines while sipping on your warm chai latte. The cool part is you can do this outdoors or indoors. 3. Make a gingerbread house. Grab your family’s gingerbread house store-bought and get the kids around the kitchen table. If you prefer to make your own gingerbread house, you can use your own family’s recipe or check this gingerbread house recipe by Sugar Geek Show. You let the children assemble the gingerbread house with some assistance from you. Take photos of the children building their gingerbread houses also when they’re done. To make this a yearly tradition, you can create a gingerbread house scrapbook of the kids. Their gingerbread photos will be dated, and as the year continues, you can add new pictures of them with their gingerbread house. 4. Donate New Toys to Shelters. With the holiday season and a lesson of kindness at home, you can extend this valuable opportunity to give. Take some time to talk about sharing what you have and making someone else happy. If you have unopened, unused toys at home, you can wrap them up with Christmas bows and bring them to shelters. You can also buy new toys to donate to shelters or orphanages for the kids. Let your children help wrap up the new toys and write a Christmas card for each toy. 5. Decorate Homemade Donuts Baking time for everyone! Either you can make the donuts or have your children help you make the donuts – the decorating becomes the fun part for kids. Create some simple homemade buttercream frosting and use Christmas colors on the frosting. You all can be creative in decorating these homemade donuts at home. If you need inspiration on what to decorate it with, you can check out this fun Christmas wreath donut decorating idea by Savvy Saving Couple. Also, here’s a quick and straightforward baked donut recipe by As Easy As Apple Pie. 6. Christmas Movie Marathon Who doesn’t love a Christmas movie marathon countdown to Christmas? Here’s how it goes: 7. December Hike or Bike If you’re in a state with stable weather around 50 to 60 degrees, this family activity can be a great one to do in December. Whether you choose to hike or bike with a family, it’s going to be a fun outdoor activity for everyone. 8. Bake Christmas Cookies/Sweets Our family loves cookies and sweet treats – we call them Yummies! How about giving this family bucket idea a chance to get on your December Traditions? My family bakes cookies every December 23rd – the kids help with gathering the ingredients, prep, and baking. Then we get to have fun decorating them while sipping our hot cocoa. These cookies are prep and ready for Santa’s visit. Of course, there may be some licking the royal icing frosting too. Just have fun! Here’s a quick recipe for a sugar cookie to follow from the Preppy Kitchen. Simple to make and fun to decorate with kids! Have a go! 9. Paint your Christmas Tree Your toddler can quickly do this December kid’s craft. Get them the art supplies and let them paint their own Christmas Tree. Their Christmas tree can be embellished with glitter, sequins, buttons, or pom-poms after painting, or leave them as-is. 10. Build a Snowman You can’t skip building a snowman if you are somewhere based on a snowy winter place. Snow is a kid magnet to play with. Start a snowball fight with the entire family! You can also invite the cousins and make it a massive – snowball war if you’re into it! Here in South Texas, we rarely get to experience snow. While last February this year, the kids had another opportunity to play with snow and build a snowman. Even though the snow brought on no power – it was one to remember. 11. Christmas Pajamas Family Photo Coordinating a family photo wearing Christmas Pajamas may require you to buy a family set. However, if you sew and have time, make the entire pajamas for the family. Whichever you decide, the exciting part is to document a family photo this year around your Christmas Tree. Suppose you can also be casual on a sofa or bed. Have fun, and the pictures will be a great memory keepsake. 12. Decorate the Christmas Tree When does your family start decorating the Christmas tree? Is it before Thanksgiving or around December? The fun part of decorating the tree as a family is putting up the Christmas ornaments collected through the years. You can be reminiscing what year, why that particular ornament, or simply remembering. You may have had your ornaments from when you were a child from your parents. Also, you certainly can add more as the family grows—first Christmas for Baby, First house, any special event that happened that year. Parents and kids can equally have fun with this December bucket list idea. 13. Do It Yourself Natural Christmas Wreath If you don’t plan to buy a $60 and above ready-made wreath, you can make your own. These examples of natural Christmas wreaths are easy to do. Check out these two: 14. Make a personalized decorated ornament There are plenty of options when making your Christmas ornaments. You can purchase Christmas balls and write on them using paint pens for a design or name. You can also make homemade clay ornaments with your kids in Christmas shapes. Again, be creative and make it memorable. DIY clay ornaments recipe by Tips from a Typical Mom. 15. Create a Warm-Up Care Package and Give What is this? A warm-up package is a box filled with items to keep someone warm during winter. It can include a pair of gloves, a scarf, thick socks, a jacket, or a blanket. You can add winter hats and thermos as well. Assemble what you want to give and keep it in your car. Prepare two or three boxes. You can provide these as a whole Christmas donation for a church, or you can give these warm-up packages to someone you see on the streets. The point is to give the gift of warmth during these holidays. 16. Christmas Loveys for NICU Babies If you are a NICU parent, a handmade blanket is one of the things you may receive during your baby’s NICU stay. I certainly did receive one from a generous NICU parent who donated blankets in the NICU. I truly appreciate the beautiful gift for my premature baby. To think she still uses the blanket after many years. I felt supported when I received one, and I’m always grateful for that kindness toward my baby and our family. So for this Christmas, my daughter and I are sewing loveys for NICU Babies. 17. Write a Letter to Santa Kids are writing letters to Santa – one of the many Christmas traditions that families do. If you’re looking for a template for this Letter for Santa – here’s one I made you can download and print. Letter for Santa. 18. Offer a Mass for a Dearly Departed Holidays come with the sadness of missing a loved one who passed. Instead, families celebrate their lives by offering a mass of intention. Offering a mass doesn’t have to be on their death anniversary. You can also provide during this time of year. Make sure you check with your church for dates. 19. Hot Chocolate Afternoon Do you have a hot cocoa bar in your house? Pick a day for the family to enjoy hot chocolate one afternoon. Make your hot cocoa or use ready cocoa mix – let the kids choose their toppings. Use Christmas mugs or kids’ favorite mugs and enjoy the fabulous, warm hot chocolate. Christmas Mugs for everyone: Set of 6 Christmas Mugs 6 Ceramic Christmas Mugs Personalized Christmas Mugs 20. Christmas Game Nights Did you want a family fun night? Then game night may be the answer to boredom when indoor activities are on the table. Too cold to roam around with young toddlers? No problem, grab your favorite games and set up a fun-filled night for the family. You can check out some of your favorite family games to play. 21. Christmas by the Sea If you are in a warm climate during the holidays, you can do this bucket list idea for December. Grab your favorite drinks and a blanket or folding chairs. Go to a nearby beach and enjoy family time. 22. Advent Calendar for Kids Seeing the excitement as one opens each door leading to Christmas sounds fun. I opted for a chocolate Advent Calendar to do this year. It’s a hit with my kids. They get to open a door with different chocolates while counting down to Christmas. There are several kinds of Advent calendars you can choose from. You may see in the stores they have Advent Calendars with toys, crafts, chocolates, and even adults also do their advent calendars. Barbie Advent Calendar Slime Advent Calendar Harry Potter Advent Calendar Playfoam Pals Advent Calendar You can make one at home if you want 12 days before Christmas. Here’s an easy one to Do It Yourself advent calendar by Slick Slime Sam. 23. Read Christmas Stories Together Reading to your kids is a great way to boost their vocabulary and learning. So why not grab some Christmas-themed books and read together? You can also include these books for the kids’ Christmas Eve Boxes. Here are some Christmas Books to check out: Don’t Push The Button! Cami and Wyatt Share the Christmas Spirit How to Catch an Elf The Night Before Christmas A Christmas Tree for Jesus The Carpenter’s Gift 24. Book a Cabin for a Family Weekend Up for some adventure? You can spend family vacation time in a cabin for the Holidays or get away for a December weekend. It may require you to search and book this bucket list way ahead of time since availability may be slim this time around. This bucket list idea will be an opportunity to slow down, disconnect from the digital world, and indulge in some quality family time. You may start ten books before the Christmas tradition; you read one Christmas Book daily leading up to Christmas. 25. Lazy Day for All – Including...

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Cultivating Your Child’s Interests

Jordan N. — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 22:14:29 +0000

Raising a well-rounded child takes effort and dedication from parents. Finding ways to pursue your child’s interests and cultivating them can be one of the most time-consuming yet best feelings in the world. Remember the astonishment you felt when you were younger as you spent time doing the things you love? Yes. I most certainly do. Your child can also partake from that feeling and let it unfold. What’s excellent about cultivating your child’s interests and passion? A research center shows that pursuing something children love provides them with many learning opportunities for growth and self-discovery. It also promotes self-esteem as they master these skills and excel in them. Your child can experience greater satisfaction in life as they explore their interests in a non-judgmental way. Your child’s learning is also seen as nurtured through cultivating these interests in ways that aid in creativity and self-expression. I am amazed at how a child can truly shine as they go through steps from the beginning and continue growing their interests and talents. I’ve been fortunate to witness these with my children as I recall how my parents made every effort to encourage me to do what I love the most. Supporting your child and interests takes commitment on your part and most understanding of the benefits of letting it bloom. Post may include affiliate links to products. If you click the links and purchase from those links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full Disclosure. Tips for Parents to Cultivate the interests and talents of children Let your child explore diverse activities. Allowing interactions and experiencing new activities can spark an interest in them. Your child, while trying out new experiences, can open up many possibilities for growth and creativity. You may not see it happening right away; one day, you’ll be surprised that they’re asking more questions about a particular past event that kept them interested weeks after. As children’s age progresses, they will be more selective about what piques their interests and makes them happy. Therefore, considering a child’s many aspects, you balance it out with their physical, mental, social, and emotional development and needs. Discover the interests themselves. Letting your child lead the way of selecting what they want to do and observing on the side as they engage in the chosen activities. When a child is given space and uninterrupted time to explore their interests, they tend to develop more on where their interests lie. What your dream may not be your child’s. Letting your child freely choose what they’re into, rather than you selecting for them. There’s a thin line between letting your child encounter what you experienced as a child and allowing your child to find it with your guidance. No to pressure. The word is to encourage and not push. Letting your child venture is one thing while trying to find what activities they are most leaning to is excellent. However, making and pressuring them to take lessons or classes that they’re resistant to may be counterproductive. Your child may exhibit unwarranted behaviors. May complain of physical ailments such as headache or stomach pain. It’s good to be attentive to these cues and assess the situation for you to help your child. Examine if they may just be exhausted or overly scheduled, or even stressed. Then, openly discuss with your child – ask what’s bothering them and plan together what to do. Sometimes, all your child need is a break. Provide a learning environment at home. These strategies help your child explore in a safe, familiar environment – your home. Books and learning centers are a great place to start. You’re spending extra time with them as they engage in their chosen activities. Learning music or musical instruments are available to use. Art supplies are readily available that your child can use. Encourage imaginative and creative plays. You don’t need a huge backyard to play sports. Instead, you can accommodate their play around with what’s available in and outside your home. RELATED POST: How to Start a Family Game Night Tradition that Everyone can Enjoy Refrain from criticizing. There’s loving feedback, and there’s a harsh comment. But, unfortunately, both aren’t the same. Your child can sense your tone, your actions. It may be a brief statement that wasn’t intentional and may have opened up some gap or doubt on what they’re capable of. Don’t shut it down—gentle corrections instead of degrading comments. Show interest. Whether you have to go down on the floor or be eye-to-eye level with your child, your body language says more. These gestures evoke a sense of security and pride within themselves. They are seen and heard, and you are interested in what they like or what caught their attention. Listen intently. Taking the time to listen to what your child says will give you enough clues about what they’re interested in participating in or doing. Your child may switch up interests on any given day or have lost enjoyment in their previous chosen activities. Sit with them and be empathetic. Invest in experiences and trips More often than not, what they experience or have been around sparks interest within your child. Let your child immerse in the event and encourage questions. Start visiting museums, space centers, garden centers, historical landmarks, state parks, and more. In addition, new cities and communities offer new encounters for your child. Travelling is an excellent teaching method for your child to experience new places, people, cultures, and languages. Different settings they can run into expand their learning and interests. RELATED POST: Family Road Trip Checklist for Summer (Plus Printable Packing List) Give praise for your child’s effort. Paying attention to your child’s progress and giving credit to them is better than focusing on the outcome. It’s a given to celebrate growth and mastery. Children can pick up on any feelings shown or not – joy, pride, or displease, etc. They will internalize your words, and they’ll play it on repeat in their head. As a result, they will feel unsupported, especially when they sense they’re not living up to your standards. Your words of encouragement can also serve as a booster of confidence within themselves. It circles back to getting more motivated to pursue their likes and interests. Go beyond the lines. Parents can teach science to children in many settings, as well as math. Set an afternoon to explore measurements, causes, and effects within the confines of your home. For example, in the kitchen or the yard, be hands-on. Books around the home. Books can indeed take you to places you dream of, and some can bring you into another world. In addition, books serve as an instrumental tool for finding what best interests your child. Let them choose books to purchase based on their interest. Then, visit a local library and read books together. You certainly don’t have to limit the book’s genre on children; they can also enjoy learning from other literature to expand their interests. Nurture your child’s interests and cultivate their talents Time will come when your child has selected what interests them and begins to engage more in it. These critical times of establishing the ground for exploring and mastering their interests can lead to more profound commitment in them. Be the cheerleader to encourage them to put effort towards it. You may rearrange your schedule, time, and other commitments to open up some allotted time for your child’s interest. Life lessons are just a tip away when an opportunity presents them. RELATED POST: 10 Basic Ways To Teach Kindness To Your Child Use community resources and engage with people from all different walks of life. Local community centers are a great source of learning activities. Connect with other community people who can speak or are around your child or group to show their craftsmanship, career, or any endeavor. Schools have career days and encourage children to dress up for what they want to be when they grow up. In addition, community workers are invited to speak with the school children about their jobs. Even daycare centers have small learning centers that young children can choose to participate in. So there’s plenty of opportunities for each child to find what sparks and what they love to do. There are free art classes or chess clubs that your child can participate in—even free swimming lessons from a swim coach who retired a few years back. Cultivating your child’s talents and interests Navigating these explorations for what your children are interested in and love to do can be time-consuming. It can also be a financial load that parents face. We are our children’s providers; what I mean to say is talking down on them that money is wasted or what can harm them. There are ways to speak with them about finance without criticizing anyone. Showing positivity towards their interests will stretch more than encouragement on your part. It acts as a spring step for your child to pursue what they love to do, and you’re right behind them. Make an effort to learn your child’s interests, showing genuine support and cultivating them. With these thirteen steps, you can start to help your child with what interests them, nurture and support them. Parenting takes a lot. Showing how everything works are good for our children. Yet, it is extraordinary to support your child in the crafts and activities they want to explore and contribute to how the world works. If you liked this post, let me know in the comment below or share this post with everyone. Thank you for stopping by today.

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Halloween Costumes for The Whole Family

Jordan N. — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 20:50:22 +0000

Are you getting ready for the coming Halloween? Do you and the whole family dress up with Halloween costumes? Are the kids’ excitement building up in anticipation of trick or treating this year? If you’re still looking for a last-minute buying guide for Halloween festivities, I’ve rounded up some spooky, fun, or both costume categories. There’s plenty to choose from in this unique Halloween outfit guide for mom, dad, brother, sister, and even the baby! My family had been enjoying our Halloween Costumes Tradition. We pick a theme and prepare our costumes for a quick photo shoot; good thing my husband has a photography hobby. When Halloween comes around, we put on our costumes and go around the neighborhood trick or treating. We started this family tradition when I was pregnant with our son. This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. Family Halloween Costumes you can check out this year! For Mom and Dad: Star Wars Fan Dad It is suited for any dad who loves being the Villain during Halloween. CHECK HERE Last Jedi: Rey Costume for Mom This costume is a full-on outfit and accessories for Mom to enjoy and have fun while trick or treating with the kids. CHECK HERE Pirate Costume for Dad Dad can play the pirate for the night and makes sure the treasure is guarded. CHECK HERE Western Costumes for Mom Mom has to purchase a western hat to complete the get-up and put on some heels! CHECK HERE For Brother and Sister: Red Ninja Costume Big brother can become the great Red Ninja of all time! Have him pick his Ninja sword, and his outfit will be Ninja ready. CHECK HERE Witch Costume Big sister can be the meanest witch in town as she circles the Halloween night in the neighborhood. CHECK HERE Related Posts: Halloween Family Ideas For Fun At Home Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year PJ Mask CATBOY The little boy can be chasing Romeo away with his superpower. CHECK HERE PJ Mask Owlette She and Catboy will defeat the night ninjas and Luna Girl together. They’ll be a super team! CHECK HERE Teen Zombie Your teen will be ready to have some fun with the family or attend a friends’ party with this scary outfit. It will be another spooky night to remember! CHECK HERE Miss Reaper for your Teen Your teenage girl can spook out some of her friends and schoolmates with this scary set. CHECK HERE For the Baby: Baby Dear Costume This costume ranges from infant to 18 months. Your adorable baby will look cute in this outfit on their First Halloween. CHECK HERE Baby Lamb for Baby Your darling baby girl will look adorable in this soft, cuddly baby lamb outfit. Take some Halloween pictures to remember. CHECK HERE Disney Baby Snow White When your baby is too young to go around trick or treating, you can still have them dress up for the Halloween family pictures. CHECK HERE A Peacock for a Baby What a cute outfit for your infant. Soft and warm enough to keep them from a cold Halloween Night Stroll. CHECK HERE Before purchasing any clothing items, please check the materials if your kids have allergies to fabrics and accessories. In addition, some things in the costumes may pose a choking hazard, so checking before putting them on is good. Finally, please be cautious when placing your infant in a costume. RELATED POST: Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year Your family can enjoy the Halloween Festivities with these costumes! Make it a family tradition to take a yearly family photo with Halloween costumes on! You can coordinate to do a themed Halloween outfit or be any random costumes that make each of you happy. What else is there not to love about dressing up for fun and strolling down the neighborhood with your Halloween bags full of treats! If you love to make your costumes for this year, you can check out these DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids. You can also visit some amusement parks offering Halloween programs or family activities like the local zoo or children’s museum. Check out your community on what’s happening around town. So, what are you waiting for? Before the clock strikes midnight on All Hallow’s Eve, make sure everyone’s ready for some Halloween fun! Share this article with your families and friends! Also, pin for later. Thank you.

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Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year

Jordan N. — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 04:59:25 +0000

Fall is that time of the year when everyone is getting cozy and laid back. Families and friends gather around the table or outside to create memories to last. So if you’re newlywed or had your first baby this year – are you open to start your fall family traditions? Family traditions are passed down to many generations, and creating one of your own for your new family is special to do. Whether you’re a young family or have teenage children, family traditions create family connections that go beyond years to come. This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. Here are 18 Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year Fall Family Pictures Coordinating colors, scouting for a fall outdoor backdrop, and getting everyone rounded up for smiles are great ways to spend a slow afternoon. Taking the whole family for a great picture taken during this fall season is one memory to last you can always look at down the line. Grab some props if you’re all for the all-out photoshoot, or be there with your warm sweaters and strappy boots with your gorgeous smiles. Here are some cute fall outfits for your little ones. Pumpkin Patch Nothing like visiting a pumpkin patch with the kids during this crisp air season can perk up your spirit. Get into the corn maze and make it a race – the first ones to come out. Then, walking down the pumpkin patch with a camera in tow as you capture your kids’ delight. How about those pumpkin-flavored drinks to enjoy with your spouse while watching the kids play around the hay. Don’t forget the famous hayride and cherish the downtime from the kids’ energy. Buy some pumpkins you can all carve at home—easy stencils for pumpkin carving. Exchange Thanksgiving Homemade Fall Gifts What better way to express your gratitude to each other is to create unique Homemade Gifts to give to your extended family and close friends. These gifts can range from fall-themed candles, fall wreaths, unique home-cooked fall recipes, or even photo collections of the families and friends throughout the year. Bake a Pie (Apple or Pumpkin) Never forget the PIES! Oh, delicious pie recipes to your heart’s content are all on the internet for grabs and try with the whole family. Pick a theme: Apple Pie or Pumpkin Pie. Then, save these recipes and store them in your favorite recipe boxes. Check out these fall-themed pies from Homemade Apple Pie With Eikorn Crust by Farmhouse on Boone, Mini Pumpkin Pies by Preppy Kitchen, Vegan Apple Pie by Ela Vegan. Fall Donation Drive Giving your gently worn or most loved things from the house to donate. Pick a charity or shelter to drop them off. You and your kids can also donate your time to help the organization with whatever fall festivities they have planned for this year. Extending a helping hand can also show your kids that helping others is the right thing to do. Family Camping as part of your Fall Traditions Ever tried building a tent and setting camp during fall? Well, this year may be a great one for you. Outdoor activities like fall camping can help you get out of the same routine centered around the house. When packing your bags, tent, and sleeping bags: be sure to grab your insect repellant, matches, S’mores kit, and all essentials you’ll need for a great family camping trip! Fall Hiking This activity may go hand in hand with camping; however, you can do this separately with the family. Search your local state park or even national park near your area and inquire about their open hours. Some parks may be free for entering, or there may be a small fee involved. Plan it out. Hiking and going outdoors for the whole family are other great fall traditions to start. Teenagers may enjoy this fall activity to reconnect with you. Take this unique opportunity to forge a closer relationship with your kids. Host a Halloween Party No fall traditions without having or hosting a family Halloween party, right? Time to bust out those scary costumes or comical gear up. Pick your theme if you plan to take pictures. It’s great to have coordinated Halloween outfits for you and your kids. Be creative as well; you can create your homemade costumes to show off. With the party comes Halloween-themed games. Check out these Halloween games you can play with the whole family and friends. Of course, there’s no party without Festive Fall appetizers by number-2 Pencil or Halloween food ideas by The Dating Divas. FAMILY POST: Halloween Costumes for the Whole Family Trick or treating with Kids This fall tradition never goes away – ANY KID would want to participate in the neighborhood’s trick or treating activity. While you’re in your Halloween costumes, grab your goody bags and go door to door around the neighborhood. Last year, our family didn’t participate in trick or treating because of Covid-19 restrictions. So instead, we did a Halloween Scavenger Hunt (pdf download) in our backyard. Fall Picnic For an easy, laid-back fall activity – grab your picnic basket and blanket, then visit your favorite park. Prepare some simple snacks (sandwiches or fresh fruits) for the entire family and bring unexpected fall-themed drinks to enjoy. Let the kids run around and cozy up with your spouse while watching them. Capture these rare moments with your kids. FAMILY POST: How to Start a Family Game Night Tradition that Everyone can Enjoy Explore a New City with Beautiful Fall Views Your country may restrict travel to where you are right now; you can travel anywhere by plane, car, or however, you intend to travel in the US. Planning this memorable fall trip needs plenty of time and coordinating itineraries. Involve your kids in the planning and packing for this trip. You can even plan this trip out way earlier in the spring or summer that way – it’s something for the whole family to look forward to in the fall. Check out these places to see fall foliage for your family to visit this fall. Shop at a Farmer’s Market Where are my farmer’s market shoppers at? Yes! Grab your crossbody bag, get the whole family ready in minutes and visit your local farmer’s market shops. Prepare to purchase pumpkins, apples, and fall vegetables. In addition, some markets will include fall-themed decors, accessories, and even sweets. Let this activity be a yearly tradition for the family. Get your needed ingredients for those fall pies you are planning to make with your kids. Fall Movie Weekend Pick spooky, family-friendly Halloween movies for you to enjoy the whole weekend. It can be a routine family activity every weekend for the entire fall season. Pick a movie per night and grab those cozy, fuzzy blankets. Don’t forget to prepare some delicious movie treats and drinks for the family to enjoy. Decorate the house with Fall Outside Elements If you like to decorate the house on October 1 for fall, this tradition is a must. The challenge is to use outside elements like fall leaves, pinecones, and twigs to decorate some parts of your house. Ask your kids to pitch in by helping you gather the exterior materials. It’ll be fun for them, and you’ll be surprised what they’ve gotten outside to bring in. Grab some dried pampas outside, large wheat, or even hay bale. Don’t forget fresh Mums that can add splashes of colors to any corner in your home. Read your Thank You Jar Notes Have you ever heard of Thank You Jar? Some families will create a Thank You Jar every Thanksgiving Day. These thank you notes are written by everyone in the family for a whole year. So you can drop in a quick note anytime you want to thank somebody in the family. At the Thanksgiving Dinner, you will open the Thank You Jar, and each one can read a note from it. A big thanks for a whole year of love, blessings, and friendships. Create Fall Arts and Crafts Here are another fun-filled family fall traditions you can start with the little ones. Grab some paint, watercolor, sketchpad, paint canvas, and other art materials for these activities. Ask your kids to create art that reminds them of your family or a simple portrait of everyone (their version). You can also try out this unique Halloween candle-making kit with your kids or create DIY turkey crafts for everyone. After all, have been crafted, display them in your living room or the server area in your dining room. Make a Thanksgiving Wreath This fall tradition may be done once (artificial) or every year (fresh) with the whole family. You can choose a theme of fall wreaths to make this year. Examples are below – check them out. Modern Fall Wreath by The Festive Mommy 20 Simple Fall Wreaths by Frugal Family Times You can place the wreath in your dining area or the front door, or anywhere you think the wreath can delight anyone looking at it. Send a Family Thank Your Card Either homemade or ready-made cards; it’s a great way to start giving out these thank you cards each year. You can give them to a fire station, police station, library, hospital, or notable organizations that made a difference in your family or others. A simple note of gratitude will brighten up anyone’s day and make for a great remembrance of extending kindness outside the home. Are you going to start your very own family fall traditions? Let this year be a new season in your family life to start a new family tradition. Pick one or more to try, and who knows; you will love them and continue to do them for every fall season that comes. Please share in the comment if your family has a particular annual fall tradition you observed. Happy Fall, y’all!

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How to Start a Family Game Night Tradition that Everyone can Enjoy

Jordan N. — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 00:18:17 +0000

A fun-filled game night is one way to foster family connections and start building traditions. Kids and parents enjoy each other’s company in the comfort of your home. Who doesn’t want a night packed with fun, surprises, great food, and prizes? Family time is an essential aspect of keeping the family bond strong. It helps the kids feel that they belong and that they are loved. Focusing on making time for the whole family creates a sense of security for kids and will also help parents stay connected with kids on a different level. If you or your kids have a slight disconnect or strife, the family game night can help you reconnect and mend those cracks. It can also set the mood for the whole week ahead. For kids, it improves mental and emotional development. Lessons your kids can learn while participating in a family game night includes: Team work Problem Solving Communication Integrity Flexibility Confidence Follow Directions and Rules Social Skills This night of game activities will be personal device-free, family-focused, and entertaining. You can start a family game night tradition when kids are still young and continue to do so even in the teenage years and beyond. Our family game night falls every Friday. It’s the day we all look forward to after a long week of school and work. So when I hear the “let’s do this again,” I know for sure that it’s a jackpot of a fun night! There’s plenty of ideas for your family to enjoy and bond together – game night takes the top place for most families! This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. How to organize a game night with the family 1. Select the best day and time for everyone. Everyone takes part in the family game night. So it’s best to check and ask when each member of the family is available. Be sure that you can commit to these activities as consistently as possible. You can set this game night weekly, every first and 3rd Friday of the month, or add to any special events (birthdays/holidays). You know which schedule works best for everyone, so start with that. 2. Choose 2-3 games to play. Getting every member to pick a game in which everyone can play. If the whole family agrees to play a specific game or add it to the list of games for the next round, that’s great! Not all the time; everyone can decide which game to play, so make sure everyone has a say on what to include in family game night. It will be helpful when there are already lists of games to be played each time (listed below). Then, all you’ve got to do is vote- the majority wins. 3. Create a family game night prize basket. Another way to spark up the spirit of game night is to have a basket full of prizes and goodies for everyone. Having fun while competing in a friendly manner will boost confidence for everyone. There will be prizes as well for participating in the games. Everyone gets something out from the game night basket! Young kids tend to get excited when prizes are handed around. You can include toys, books, and other coveted items based on your family members’ interests. 4. Start a game night feasts for the family. As the name implies, prepare some great food for the big family game night. Have kids choose the menu and let them help prepare the food for the family night festivities. 5. Let children lead the activities. You may want to take the reins when planning game nights for the family; however, it’s great when the kids can have a turn of planning everything down to the last activity of the night. Then, have them plan and let them surprise you. What’s not to love about this, you’ll get to sit and relax. RECOMMENDED READ: 12 Fun Ways to Celebrate Dad 6. Setting game rules. For young members of the family, it can become a bit complicated. So make space to readjust some game rules when planning which games to play for the night. Also, if kids are all in the school-age range, game rules can be strict. 7. Be spontaneous or plan ahead. Planning builds up anticipation for the game night that your family has chosen. It’s a way to look forward to each week. Here’s the thing, you can also make a surprise quick game night any time of the week as well. The kids won’t expect it, and it’ll boost their spirit, especially if it’s been a tough week in school. But, of course, you’ve got to be flexible to squeeze in spontaneous game nights once in a while. 8. Model good sportsmanship. Win or loss, everyone gets to have fun, right? This activity can also be a teaching moment for the youngest members of the family. You can give some gentle reminders, especially for kids who don’t understand the concept of winning and losing, to others. Don’t forget to praise each other for playing a good and honest game. Thank each other for a great family game night! 9. Make it a family tradition. It becomes part of your family calendar. Reconnecting with your kids is a great way to treasure togetherness. It helps boost family strength and promotes deep connections through fun-filled activities. Traditions can be passed down to the future generations and something to look back to when kids are grown and have families of their own and game night traditions. 10. Enjoy the conversations and, yes, laughs. As you enjoy these family activities, you also get to learn from each other. How you interact with one another also lessens stress from overwhelmed parents and school-tired kids. Your teenager may also open up and share something you didn’t expect to hear. It can be a chance to reconnect with your spouse while watching the kids play with each other in one of the games. You both can look back on these moments when time moves quickly, and the kids leave the nest. 11. Extras and more fun. Do you want to invite cousins and other close friends to one of your family game nights? The more, the merrier for these nighttime fun-filled activities. Make it a family team versus a family team or kids versus parents – it’ll be an excellent way to reconnect with everyone. RECOMMENDED READ: 32 Exciting Ways to Celebrate Mom at Home The Best Games for a family game night. You can add board games, card games, PlayStation games, Wii games, or other creative games your family enjoys. The objective is to have a line-up of fun activities to play on a particular weeknight/weekend night. Games aren’t made equal; there are more challenging games out there. So work together to achieve a goal when it’s a coop game. Here are some family game favorites you can try! Monopoly Battleship Simon Game Buildzi by Tenzi Jenga Dominos Uno Connect Four Scrabble Pictionary Operation Twister Watch Ya’ Mouth Checkers Snakes and Ladder Pie Face Game 5 Second Rule Clue Game Sequence Hedbanz Chess Yahtzee Boggle Any games on PlayStation (cooperative or competitive): Sackboy: A Big Adventure Sonic All-Star Racing Lego Marvel Super Heroes Minecraft PS3 Sports Champions Just Dance Some more Games for Families with Younger Kids: Don’t Spill the Beans Memory Card Games Pictures Charades Don’t Make Me Laugh You can also take these game nights outside the backyard or patio. It doesn’t have to be just played indoors. You can consider the season at the moment, with crisp fall air or just as the sun sets during summer. Or on a spring or winter night to appreciate. It can be an excellent ambiance to enjoy while playing these games with the family. What do you think of the idea of starting a family game night? Grab this chance to build a stronger relationship with your kids and for your kids to feel connected with you. Choose the best games that everyone can participate in and have fun with. When you start a family game night not only lets you restore connections, but it’s also a great way to continue that bonding experience as everyone enjoys the whole family activity. Do you have a game night tradition? How do you set it up for your family?

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Family Road Trip Checklist for Summer (Plus Printable Packing List)

Jordan N. — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 04:04:00 +0000

It’s the middle of summer, and families are heading for road trips these few weeks before school starts. Having a checklist for your family road trip can save you tons of worries and time. A road trip is fun until whining starts, and emotions run high. Having a solid plan and getting organized ahead of time can ease this tension and cries. Our family has been traveling on road trips ever since we got married. And then, we had kids, and we continue to make one or two road trips a year. The covid pandemic had made it hard to travel last year since restrictions had been in place. So our family had stayed put and skipped travel for a year. So, why go on road trips? The thrill of adventures for families. Delightfully seeing nature’s beauty along the way. Emersion of your chosen vacation destination. Great family bonding. Simply enjoying the journey together on the road. It need not be complicated. Enjoy the scenery, take breaks along the way, and celebrate your family by creating lasting memories for you and your kids to remember. What information do you need before going on your planned road trip? Itinerary Hotel Accommodation Maps (in case GPS stopped working) Weather Report (online update) Knowing where the Rest Areas for a break Why do you need a general family packing checklist? If you’re planning on a road trip for your family, it’s crucial to have a packing list of items to bring. It’ll help you be in control of what and what not to bring and be on top of what you need. Even though you are traveling via car, you don’t want to overpack as well, even as much you’d like to bring the whole house. We moms can go overboard with our packing, so the checklist will help us not go that route. Whatever items you plan to pack will be based on the season and type of weather at your destination. The basics and the must-have items are non-negotiable. This packing list is geared toward a summer road trip and vacation places. So let’s get on with the packing, shall we? **This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the product links and purchase through the links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This purchase helps balance the costs of running this blog, and I thank you for your continued support! See the Full Disclosure Here.** Family Packing Checklist for Your Next Road Trip: Clothes These are a no-brainer—plan for outfits being on the road and for your final destinations. You can set up paired outfits (tops and bottoms) together, pack underwear and socks, seasonal clothing items, and other essential clothing. Packing cubes help you segregate clothing per day or location. Footwear Wherever you plan to go, you already have an idea of what you’ll be bringing for you and the whole family. Feet protection and comfort are a must for every person traveling. So, packed the ones you think can do that. You can use shoe bags for trips to keep your other packed items free from dirt and such. Other Wearable Items It’s important to pack what you need that fits your travel location and pack adequately. Family Road Trip Essentials Packing List – For the Car What you’ll need: Car Insurance Your Car Keys/ Spare Keys Car Manual Car Registration Car/Roadside Emergency Kit (rope, spare tire, pressure gauge, jumpstart kit, etc.) Any Car Organizers Car Seats/ Booster Seats (appropriate seats for kids, check expiration date) Cash/Coins Cooler Driver’s License Credit/Debit cards Maps Activities for You and Kids Art/Sketch Book Activity Books (word search, coloring books, etc.) Crayons/Markers Chargers/Cords Handheld Devices (DS, Switch, Kindle Reader, Cellphones, Players) Headphones/ Ear Buds Magazines/Books (if no one gets car sick) Paper/Pen/Extra Notebooks Kid Toy for babies and little ones Basic Items Blankets Travel Pillows Paper Towels Wet Wipes/ Disinfectant Wipes Trash Bags First-Aid Kit Flashlights/Batteries Sunshades for Car Windows Umbrellas Sanitizers Ziplocks Scissors Seat Belt Cutter Camera Bag Best Camera Camera Stand Camera Cards/Batteries GoPro Selfie Stick (for quick set-up) Road Trip Checklist for Family Food Items To Bring Snacks: Crackers (Wheat thins, Ritz, Cheezit) Single Pack Snacks (goldfish, Grahams, chips) Protein Bars Granola Bars Mixed Nuts (if not allergic) Dried fruits Jerky Packs String Cheese (keep in the cooler) Chocolate Dip Crackers Sour Patches Fruits: Apples, oranges, grapes Vegetables: Baby carrots, celery stick Nut spread (almond/peanut/hazelnut) Sliced bread or homemade loaf bread Fruit cups (keep in the cooler) Portable Meals: Egg sandwich spread (keep in the cooler) Tuna salad sandwich Breakfast Wraps Hummus and Crackers Drinks: Water Juice/Milk Water Bottles Drink Tumblers Extras: Ziplocks (sandwich bags) Napkins Disposable Cutlery Road Trip Checklist for The Whole Family Main Items: Suitcases (Large/Small) Clothes (tops, bottoms, dress, pajamas) Underwear Socks Hoodies/Light Jackets Hats Sunglasses Appropriate Shoes Toiletries: Toothbrush Toothpaste Floss Mouthwash Conditioner Shampoo Body wash/wash puff Bath Soap Comb/brush Detangling spray Razor/Shaving Cream Epilator Deodorant Cotton Buds/Balls Sunscreen After-Sun Gel/Lotion Sanitary Pads/Tampons Nail Clippers Tweezers Wipes Basic Skin-care Bag (cleanser, serums, moisturizer, BB creams) Roll up Make-up bag Small jewelry pouch Beach Essential Wearables/Items These listed items are what you’ll be needing to enjoy the beach and sun. But, of course, safety and protection from the sun is Top Priority for everyone. Swimming Wear: Swimsuit, swim shorts, kids swimming outfits Goggles Snorkels Flippers Floaties (check requirements) Life-Jackets (check requirements) Water shoes Quick Dry Towels Sandproof beach blanket Beach Umbrellas/Tent Sandals UV protection Sunglasses for parents and kids Scuba gears/suits Water Bottles Sunscreen/After-sun Gel Safety and Health Essentials Making sure that emergency items and basic kits are included, you never know when you’re going to need them. Health Insurance Cards First-Aid Kits Prescription Medicines **Medical Equipment: Portable Nebulizer, BP apparatus, Glucometer Essential OTC Medicines: Fever/Pain Reducer, Antidiarrheal, Anti-nausea, Motion Sickness Thermometer Medicine dispenser/cups Personal Protection Kit for Covid: You want to make sure you have all the essential protective items for you and your family. Masks Hand sanitizers Gloves Disinfecting Wipes Trash bags Alcohol-filled spray bottle Lysol Wipes/Spray Packing for Baby’s Diaper Bag: Packing your baby’s bag is probably the easiest for you since you make use of it every single day. So you are already ahead in the game, and you know what you’ll need for your baby during any trip. Diaper Bag Diapers/Cloth Diapers (Babies) Baby Wipes Butt Cream Boogie Wipes Baby Nasal Aspirator Ear Cleaner Baby Bottles Baby Formula Bottle brush/detergent Burp Rags Blankets Extra sets of clothes Breastfeeding mama: Nipple Cream Nursing Cover Teether necklace Extra Mama Nursing Top Bottle Brush Cleaner Baby Dish Soap There you go, never go on a road trip without a summer checklist for the family. This road trip essentials checklist aims to get you and your family organized in your packing and hopefully not forget anything. I understand what you need for your family might not be what I need for mine; however, you can take off or add what your MUST-Haves are. Remember to pack a separate overnight bag for each person if you stop by a hotel to rest before continuing the trip. And, don’t forget to take plenty of pictures to capture the moments, but remember to savor the experience along with your family. You can download the FREE Road Trip Packing List and print it for you and your family. Have Safe and Happy Travels! Grab Your FREE Summer Road Trip Checklist Here! You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy. Opt in to receive news and updates. Yes, I want the checklist! Loading… Thank you! Your checklist was sent to your inbox. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Please share this post with your friends and families. Thank you! Get connected with me on Pinterest.

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