10 Tips To Avoid Work-At-Home Mom Burnout

Working from home is a great way to stay home with your kids while still supplementing the family’s income. On the flipside, it can be challenging to be mother and employee at the same time. Your stress level will rise quickly when you have deadlines to keep or phone calls to make while your little ones are acting out. Implement a few of the ideas below to prevent Work at Home Mom Burnout. 

 

1. Don’t work more than you have to. Money isn’t everything. You family needs a happy and sane mom.

 

2. Create a schedule or to-do list both for work and your personal life. Just realize that you won’t always get everything done and don’t worry if you don’t. There’s always tomorrow. 

 

3. Designate an errand day. Spend one day a week running around town getting everything done for the week. This is when you will grocery shop, drop things off at the drycleaner, go to the post office and anything else you need to do. 

 

4. Enjoy your kids. Take some time to play with them every day. Have a picnic lunch in the yard, take them on a little field trip or just play catch for a while. You’re a work at home mom because you want to spend time with your kids. Work and house chores can wait while you play. 

 

5. Go out on a date with your spouse. Make date night a regular occurrence and connect with your lover. 

 

6. Have lunch with a girlfriend. We need some adult conversation every now and then. Make time to stay in touch with your friends. 

 

7. Call a friend. If you are having a bad day, call a good friend and just talk for a little while. You’ll be relaxed and rejuvenated when you get back. 

 

8. Get some exercise. Go for a walk, join a gym, or try a Pilate’s class. Exercise will not only keep you in shape, it’s also a great de-stressor. 

 

9. Play some upbeat music and dance around the living room. Who cares if your kids and the neighbours think you’ve lost it? You are having fun and are releasing all that build up physical energy. 

 

10. If you own a business, stick to one until it more or less runs itself. Don’t burn yourself out by trying to run several businesses at the same time. 

 

Start implementing a few of these ideas today and watch your stress level go down. You will prevent work at home mom burnout and get to enjoy life more. Your family will appreciate spending time with a fun and relaxed mom. That’s what it’s all about - spending quality time with your family.

7 Guidelines To Choosing A Great Patio Umbrella

When your outdoor space lacks trees and shade, the simplest and most affordable solution is buying patio umbrellas. Unfortunately, purchasing an umbrella for your patio isn’t that easy if you don’t know the specific details that would best suit your backyard. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind when choosing the umbrella for your situation and lifestyle.

 

1. Position

 

In choosing your desired umbrella for your backyard, you should consider where it would be placed to ensure that its purpose of shading could be served.

 

The location of the patio umbrella is important. There are two categories of the location of the umbrella: through table and free standing. Free standing umbrellas are used in large outdoor areas. It could shade different kinds of patio furniture of any size and shape depending on your preference. A through-table umbrella is basically placed in the centre of the patio table and is commonly used as focal point of the outdoor area.

2. Umbrella Stands

 

This is the support of your patio umbrella. The stand or base would depend on how you intend to use it. In choosing the standard base of outdoor umbrellas, you should consider a heavy-duty support that could survive any weather. Free standing umbrellas require heavier bases than through-table umbrellas.

 

3. Size

 

The size of umbrellas would be determined by measuring its diameter. In choosing the exact size of patio umbrella, make sure to measure the table, chairs, or space to be shaded. The basic rule in calculating the diameter is that the umbrella should always be at least 4 to 5 feet larger than the intended area to be covered.

 

4. Umbrella Frames

 

There are two kinds of frames available to choose from - metal and wood umbrella frames. Selecting the frame would depend on how you intend to use the umbrella and which would match the theme of you patio. Metal umbrellas use push-button tilts or a crank lift. This lets the umbrella to be angled in any direction. Most metal umbrellas could be purchased with coloured furnishes like black, champagne, or white. A wooden umbrella is usually opened manually by using a pulley method and could not be rotated. Hardwood and teak is the most common wooden umbrellas in stores.

 

5. Tilt Methods

 

There are three methods in tilting the umbrella - collar tilt, crank tilt and push-button. The collar tilt method is the most common and user-friendly. The umbrella tilts when you rotate the collar located on the frame.

 

6. Materials

 

The main purpose of your patio umbrella is to block the dangerous rays of the sun. This purpose would succeed depending on the materials of your canopy. The most common materials used are PVC, canvas and shade cloth. A PVC canopy could block 100% UV light and could survive bad weather. Canvas canopies are durable fabric that blocks out the sun effectively. It is not water resistant when purchased but it could be treated for your canopy to be waterproof. Shade cloth blocks 90-95% UV rays. It could resist small amounts of rain, but is not entirely waterproof.

 

7. Kinds

 

- Centre pole

 

The centre pole is the most common type of patio umbrella. It is supported by a central pole. The ribs of the umbrella spread out from its pole. It is advisable to place a centre pole umbrella into a solid and heavy base.

 

- Crank and Tilt

 

The crank and tilt design is much similar to the centre pole, but it is known to have a crank device between the pole and canopy which allows you to rotate the angle of the shade umbrella. This kind of umbrella is best for large outdoor areas because it enable you to block out the sun in any direction.

 

- Cantilever

 

The Cantilever umbrella hangs to the side of its frame. Its curved arm supports only one end. This kind of shade umbrella is suitable for large areas with dining sets underneath the umbrella or swimming pools beside the patio furniture because it could be rotated 360 degrees. Its shade could be positioned wherever it is needed.

 

- Pavilion

 

A pavilion is a square-shaded structure that is supported at its every corner. This kind of umbrella is used for a large outdoor space that could shade the entire family. Most pavilions are used in beaches or parks as temporary dining and entertaining area.

Backgammon Rules: Learn How to Play Backgammon

Learn how to play backgammon, one of the most popular board games in the world.

 

The board game backgammon is one of the most ancient games known to man. It is believed that early variations of the game were played in Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Ancient Rome. Since then, the game has evolved, changed several names and spread to different parts of the world. It is currently a popular pastime all over the US, East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. 

 

In order to play backgammon all you need is a partner, two dice and a special backgammon board with checkers. The backgammon board is divided into two sides with each one is the mirror reflection of the other. Each side contains 12 triangles called points numbered from 1 to 24. 

 

• Points 1 to 6: Home Board or Inner Board
• Points 7 to 12: Outer Board
• 7 point: Bar Point
• 13 point: Mid-Point

 

At the starting position of the game, each player has 2 checkers on the 24 point, 3 checkers on the 8 point and 5 on the 13 and 6 point. Each player moves from his home board through the outer board towards the opponent home board. 

 

The object of backgammon, then, is to move your checkers towards your opponent home board and remove them off the board before your opponent moves his checkers towards your home board. The speed of the progress of each move is determined by the outcome of the dice roll. 

 

The backgammon play begins with both players tossing one die. The player whose outcome is the highest, makes the first move using both his and his opponents number. If the outcome of the dice toss is even, the players toss the dice again until an uneven outcome appears. From now on, each player tosses both dice on his turn. 

 

After each toss of dice, you should move your checkers forward the number of steps appears on both dice. You can move either one checker the number of steps summed up by both die or move two checkers. To make it clearer: if the outcome of the dice roll is 5 and 4, you can either move one checker 9 steps forward or move one checker 5 steps forward and then move the other piece 4 steps forward

 

If the dice rolls a double, which means an even number on both dice, you can move double the number appears on the dice. For example, if you roll double 2, you can move 2 points four times. In that case, you can either move one checker 8 steps forward; move two checkers a total of 4 steps; move two checkers a total of 2 steps each plus a total of 4 steps; move one checker a total of 6 steps plus 2 steps; or move four checkers 2 steps.

 

You can move a checker to a point where there is another one of your checkers or no more than one checker of your opponent, called blot. When you hit a blot, it is moved to the middle of the board to the part divided between the home board and the outer boards, called the bar. 

 

The checkers placed on the bar are kept out of play until the bar can be entered by a dice roll in the opponent’s home boards. For example, if you roll 2, you can enter a checker to the 23 point and enter the opponents home board and re-enter the bar checkers into the game. You cannot move the other checkers unless your entire bar checkers are at your opponent’s home board. 

 

By the time your checkers are in your home board, you must remove the checkers from the board, to bear off, using a roll of dice. For example, if you roll 1, you can bear off one checker from the 1 point; if you roll 2, you can move a checker form the 2 point, and so on. 

 

If your opponent has not borne off any checkers while you have borne off 15 checkers, you win the gammon. If your opponent has not borne off any checkers and still some of his checkers are placed on the bar, while you have borne off 15 checkers, then you win the backgammon.

Spread The Joy - Using Hygge In Gift Giving

Gift giving is one the most fulfilling aspects of the holiday season. Generally, people will think of the joy in receiving a special gift for the holidays. But being the giver of a meaningful gift can be even more gratifying. Great gifts are really more about the thoughtful intention behind them, than the actual gift itself. A holiday hygge gift is well thought out, and might include something homemade or something cozy for the home.

 

Embracing the spirit of gift giving should start with thinking about the person you are giving to. Look into their interests and hobbies. Really think about what makes them happy. Listen for any mentions of clues as you interact with them. Ask mutual friends or family, if you’re still stuck.

 

Once you are ready to shop, try locally owned stores and artisanal shops when looking for a great gift, as there tend to be more unique finds. Some may even have homemade gifts or art from local artists. While you are in the store remember to keep focused on the preferences of the receiver, not your own, and keep an open mind. Wrapping your special gift is nearly as important as the gift is. The wrapping is the presentation of your gift, so it should be neat and festive. Some ideas for hygge gift wrapping might be; a natural-looking and cute cardboard box, wrapping paper with snow, birds or nature on it. You could even get creative and use a knit stocking or something seasonal to put your gift in.

 

Ideas for gifts that encompass the hygge concept are many. Winter hygge is all about the feeling of coziness and warmth. So, it’s no surprise that gifts for the home are at the top of the list. Textiles such as blankets, throws and pillows make great gifts. Warm lighting is key in a hygge home, so things like candles and tea light lanterns also make the perfect present too. Seasonal food and drinks embrace the hygge lifestyle as well. Putting together a hot cocoa kit is a wonderful idea for your chocolate loving friend. Contrive the sweet gift, using a thoughtful mug, a small decorative spoon and some coco mix. Or you could put together the ingredients for your most favorite cookie recipe, wrap them in a basket and include the handwritten recipe and note.

 

The ideas are endless when it comes to spreading the holiday cheer through hygge gift giving. After all, it’s far more joyful to give than receive.

Go Hygge With Your Favorite Holiday Comfort Foods & Treats

There are certain foods that tend to soothe and comfort us, especially around the winter months. Comfort foods like stews, casseroles, pot pies, homemade breads and baked goods bring a sense of well-being and can elevate mood, especially on a long and cold winter day. Curling up by the fire with a warm bowl of soup and a cozy blanket can transform your day just like that. So, breakout the slow cooker and settle in for a hygge holiday filled with comfort foods and treats.

 

Baking and cooking are a big part of the hygge mentality, especially when done with family and close friends. Keeping traditions alive using old family recipes are a hygge favorite. Just the thought of putting Great grandma’s apple-cinnamon pie recipe to use gives a warm and fuzzy feeling. And to be able to pass on these recipes by teaching your children how to make them when they are older and have families, is so satisfying. 

 

Establishing traditional family recipes of your own is also a fun holiday hygge activity. Decide together what type of comfort food you all would like to learn to make. Pot pies are a big favorite in the winter months. Follow a recipe and add in a few touches of your own. Hand-write the recipe afterward and keep it in a safe place for next year. One idea is to use a designated box to keep all of your traditional, comfort food holiday recipes in. Each year, you and your family will look forward to breaking out the recipe box, remaking your favorite comfort foods and adding in new ones.

 

Hygge holidays are even better when comfort foods are used to spread the holiday cheer. Gifting your favorite homemade holiday treats will surely bring a smile to anyone's face. Cookies, pies and holiday fudge are all great choices for gift giving. Wrap them up in some festive cellophane for transport and add in a handwritten card of well wishes. Comfort meals are also a very thoughtful gift, especially when given to a friend or loved one who leads a super busy lifestyle. What a better gift than to not have to worry about what to make for dinner that night? Comfort foods like lasagna, soups and casseroles tend to travel well and reheat with ease. Holiday cheer is always enriched with gracious gift giving.

3 Simple Ways To Make The House Smell Amazing

As humans, our sense of smell plays a large role in our everyday lives, whether we realize it or not. Scents have the ability to change our mood, change how we interact with others and even play a large role in our ability to recall memories. In fact, studies find that scent is so closely linked to memory, that people can remember a scent with 65% accuracy after one year, where visual memory drops to nearly 50% after only a few months. This is because when we smell a scent it goes straight to the brain's olfactory bulb, which is directly connected to the amygdala and the hippocampus. All technical terms aside, scents are oftentimes linked by the brain with memories. Maybe it’s the smell of your mom’s cooking, a certain flower or a perfume; certain scents can bring you right back to a memory as if it happened just yesterday. Scents have the ability to change our mood. You can use scents to your advantage to spike your hygge holiday spirit and make your home smell amazing.

 

Scented candles are a wonderful way to make your home look and smell festive and inviting for the holiday season. Having lit candles around your home will most definitely add to your hygge vibe. The warm glow will make rooms feel cozy and comfortable. Not only do candles look and feel homey, they also smell great. Almost all stores sell scented candles these days, but for higher quality scents, get your candles at a store that sells candles exclusively. If you have a local candle maker near you, even better! Scents like warm vanilla, cinnamon apple, sugar plum and peppermint are some holiday favorites.

 

Another way to make your home smell amazing for the holidays is with fresh greenery. Use of a freshly cut fir tree, a fresh wreath or some branches from an aromatic evergreen are great ways to keep your hygge home smelling and feeling joyful. If fresh trees and branches are not naturally available in your area, check with some of the home improvement stores. Look for some of the best smelling evergreens, which are the Scotch pine, Douglas fir, white spruce and Noble fir trees.

 

Last, but not least, baking homemade holiday treats always keeps your home filled with sweet and savory scents. Not only is baking and cooking seasonal treats a perfect hygge activity, it ensures your home smells good, naturally. If you have any traditional holiday family recipes, those will work great. Or, start a sweet-smelling traditional recipe of your own with your loved ones. No matter which route you take, keep your home smelling festive for a relaxing hygge holiday.

Go Cut A Tree For A Hygge Family Experience

The nature of the holiday season provides so many fun and satisfying hygge opportunities. From cooking or baking family recipes, to holiday movies, there are various ways to achieve that cozy hygge feeling we long for, especially during the holidays. One of my absolute favorite family hygge traditions for the season is picking out and cutting down our own tree. There’s really nothing else that feels more like the holiday spirit than cutting down your own tree with family, and afterward, having fun decorating it while you all bake cookies and sip hot chocolate. 

 

Maybe you live in an area where the traditional holiday fir tree grows in abundance and you are able to go and pick one out easily. If not, thanks to the growing hygge movement; cut-your-own-tree farms are increasingly popular. Chances are there is one within driving distance from your home. If that’s not the case either, a tree that's indigenous to your area will do just fine. It’s truly less about the tree and more about the experience. Once you have a plan of where you will cut the tree down from, it’s time to gather up the family. Get dressed in your holiday flannels, jeans and boots and head to the tree farm. Remember to bring a few warm blankets or scarves to help you all stay cozy. Decide as a group what shape tree will work best in your home. Have fun cutting it down together and strapping it to the top of your car to make the drive with your tree back home.

 

Once you and your holiday tree arrive home, decorating it as a family is definitely part of the hygge experience. Wrap the tree with warm colored lights and family-made decorations. A perfectly decorated tree is not the goal of this tradition, rather a tree that is put up with love, laughter and family memories is. To further the hygge, light some candles around your home, add in some freshly baked holiday cookies, hot cocoa, and maybe some of your favorite holiday music. One of my favorite parts of this family holiday activity is that we’ve made it an annual tradition. Making memories by cutting down our own tree and decorating it together every year really adds to the holiday fun and the feeling of hygge, as well as sets the tone for a warm, family filled holiday season.

A Hygge Holiday Is All About Peaceful, Quiet And Cozy Surroundings

Hygge, pronounced (Hue-gah) is a Danish word originally derived from an Old Norwegian word meaning well-being and protection from the outside elements. Denmark has notoriously cold, long winters. The concept of hygge has been used by Danish people to help mentally combat the brutally dark, relentless winter season and fill their homes with comfort and love. Hygge is a word that is so important to Danish people; it’s often used to describe what their culture is all about. Hygge is not necessarily something specific that you can buy, because it’s more of a feeling than a possession. Hygge really is the epitome of Danish living, and in the last five years the concept of hygge has made its way to the US and many other countries with extreme popularity and trendiness. 

 

Hygge can widely be described as a feeling of coziness, comfort, familiarity, friendship, laughter and seasonal homemade food and drinks. Although it’s possible to achieve hygge any time of the year (an outdoor BBQ with friends or a movie under the stars with family are perfectly good examples of summertime hygge). Hygge is generally associated with the colder months because if it’s ability to uplift spirits during dark, long winter months. Hygge is perfect for the upcoming holiday season because it’s all about peaceful, cozy surroundings that fill you with the feeling of contentment. Here are a few, simple ways you can bring holiday hygge into your home this season.

 

Host family and friends - The holidays bring so many opportunities to host get-togethers for your loved ones. Be sure not to stress over these gatherings, hygge parties are relaxed, friendly and homey. 

 

Warm lighting - in order to achieve a great sense of hygge, be sure to light some candles, have a fire or set up string lights. Warm lightning is essential for a holiday hygge vibe.

 

Cozy linens, blankets and textures - get out all of those soft, fluffy blankets and have them available on the couch or chairs and by the windows, so that you can easily cuddle up with your favorite book and relax. 

 

Home cooking and baking - cooking some traditional holiday meals and treats will help bring holiday hygge into your home. Comfort foods like holiday ham, stews, savory flatbreads, cookies, cinnamon apple pie will waft soul-warming scents throughout the air, making your home feel cozy and cared for.

 

Holiday hygge is easy and comforting. Most people are already doing at least some of these simple holidays hygge hacks without even knowing it. Now that you know the term for that warm and fuzzy feeling, you will be able to up your holiday hygge game even further.

Food and Finances: Where To Turn When You Need Help

These days, many families are finding themselves in difficult financial situations, whatever the cause. Tough questions such as, can we pay our rent or mortgage this month, will we be able to pay our utility bills, will we even have enough for groceries are being faced regularly. There are a few small things that people can do to help get through this hard time.

 

Growing your own food may help, even if it’s just a little bit. Obviously, the amount of space you have may dictate how much you can grow. But, even in a well-lit window or a small terrace, you should be able to have containers with some produce. Things like lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, green onions and strawberries are fairly easy to grow and don't necessarily require in-ground planting. This may save some money and provide some food without having to put much money out to get started.

 

Something else you might try if you don’t already is couponing. There are coupons in the grocery store circulars, manufacturers coupons that you can find online and now there are couponing apps as well. One of my favorite couponing apps is Ibotta. It’s super easy to use and usable in almost every major grocery store. You get money back on the app and you’re given choices on how to use it. You can convert your money to your Amazon account or a gift card or have it transferred to your PayPal account. 

 

If you’re truly wondering if you can pay the mortgage or your bills next month, give the companies a call. Some mortgage companies will be able to let you defer payments for a while. Most credit card companies will give a grace period or even put your account on hold so that payments can be missed without penalty and in some cases not charge any extra interest for a period of time. It’s very important to note however, that if you are going to differ payments, that you completely understand the terms, so that you avoid surprises in the future. You’re not alone in needing help, so don’t feel awkward about asking for it.

Thrown Into Schooling at Home

Finding yourself thrown into schooling the kids at home can be an overwhelming experience. It can also be rewarding. Whatever the reason why you’ve made the change to homeschool, it’s definitely an adjustment.

 

The prospect of staying home from work to not only care for your children, but to now be responsible for their education is quite overwhelming to most parents. Rightfully so, because raising children is not an easy job on its own. Besides the usual tasks that come along with parenting, can we handle being their teachers too? Take a deep breath, parents, we can do this! We were our children’s first teachers when we taught them to walk, talk and their numbers and colors. We can do this too! Implementing a few tricks will make schooling from home go more smoothly.

 

One of the things that may help both you and your child as they learn virtually from home is to stick to a schedule. Waking up early and at the same time every day to start school, even if it’s from home can help both you and your child feel more organized and in control. Children crave a stable and predictable schedule and this will set them up for success.

 

Limiting recreational screen time is important as well. Schools will need to rely on computers for communication with students using tools like Google Classrooms and Zoom. There is already going to be a lot of screen time needed for learning. So, when they are not on the computer doing school work, find other ways to entertain them. Go outside, ride bikes, go for walks, and go swimming. Remember to get that recess time in. Running around and getting their energy out will help kids be able focus on their school work later?

 

Lastly, try to remain calm and give yourself a break. Most of us are not trained teachers. But we can help guide our kids through this unpredictable time in a manner that is helpful to them. When tensions rise, and surely, they will, take a time out for yourself to cool down, go to another room and breathe. It’s important to remember that kids will be stressed or anxious too, so try to give them a break as well. With time, it will get easier. Putting use to these tips will help you and the kids get through the adjustment period. Homeschooling will feel natural before you know it.

31 Days of Fun: Word Search (Worksheet)

30 Family Friendly Karaoke Songs (Worksheet)

 

31 Days of Family Activities: Calendar (Infographic)

 

31 Days of Family Activities (Part 6)

Make A Critter House


 

A typical birdhouse can be a home for lots of animals besides birds! Chipmunks, squirrels, mice, and other small mammals can also make their homes in birdhouses. This is a great way to keep these little guys warm and sheltered in the rain or cold that may be coming up where you live.

 

Follow An Online Tutorial


 

This can be anything from cake decorating, to wreath making, to knitting a scarf! Just find a beginner video of something cool, and if you have the supplies you need—give it a try! It can be a lot of fun to see how your finished product compares with the video’s. This can be a team effort to do one big project, or each family member can work on one small project! This is a great way to see how differently each person can do the same thing. Use this as an opportunity to teach your kids about individuality, and help them see that everyone is different in awesome ways!

 

Play In The Rain


 

Rain is usually an excuse to stay indoors, but you can have a lot of fun stomping in puddles and playing in the mud. Just make sure it is not too cold out, and that there is not any lightning nearby.

 

Scavenger Hunt


 

Scavenger hunts are really awesome ways to get the brain and body moving. There are also lots of ways to set up a scavenger hunt! You can theme it by color, size, room, and more! Set a time limit if you have older kids; and make sure if you have younger kids, that they can have fun without feeling too pressured to “win.” Family days and activities should be all about fun!

 

Paint Rocks


 

Have everyone find a cool rock outside. Then, you all can use your imaginations to see a shape of something specific in that rock. Once you have figured out what your rock looks like, you can paint it so it becomes that thing. For example, a lumpy rock might look like a toad; so you can paint legs and eyes and spots on it to make it look like a real toad!

 

Quiet Time


 

Quiet time is an opportunity for the kids to think, play by themselves, and give mom and dad a break! 



 

Here are a few ideas to try for quiet time:





1. Puzzles


2. Word search


3. Reading


4. Educational worksheets


5. Extra chores



 

Helpful Links:

https://www.howweelearn.com/quiet-time-activities-mess-free/

http://www.wordblanks.com/mad-libs/adventure/story-generator/amp/

http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com

http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/WordSearchSetupForm.asp

https://www.parenting.com/child/10-best-educational-websites-kids/

Family activities are wonderful opportunities to bond and create amazing memories with your kids. Always be sure that everyone can enjoy themselves, and that not everything is a competition. Just be creative and have fun with it, and it will be a wonderful thirty days of family activities the whole family will love.

31 Days of Family Activities (Part 5)

Family Video Games


 

A lot of modern video games and systems have awesome multiplayer options that make family fun super easy! The Wii in particular has some of the best games and features for this, but you can use any system if you take turns playing one single player game. Keep it pressure free and have fun! Games are meant to be played to have FUN, not just to win.

 

Check Out Old Photo Albums


 

Learning about family history is a great way to keep memories and traditions alive. Great grandma’s cookie recipe will mean that much more if your kids have a face to place with the stories. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and they also preserve the memories of the past.

 

Make A Scrapbook With New Photos


 

To make your own memories for your family’s future, take pictures and add them to a new album! You can even try out scrapbooking to make it even more meaningful and organized. Everyone can fill out a page in their own style and write their own little memory notes next to each picture.

 

Life Sized Drawings


 

Get a big piece of poster board and have someone lay down on it. Then you can trace around their body so you have a template. Once that is done, everyone can work together to fill in the template and make a life-sized drawing of the family member!

 

Karaoke


 

Karaoke is a lot of fun, and making it a family affair is sure to get lots of laughs. You can even hold a contest for silliest song/voice combo… Bonus points for interpretive dance!

 

31 Days of Family Activities (Part 4)

Fashion Show


 

Let the kids try on some old clothes from your closet, and make the craziest outfits they can think of… Then, the parents can pretend to be fashion show judges and score everyone’s costumes. The judges can even have their own eccentric outfits on for extra fun! 

 

Write A Story


 

This can be done in a lot of ways. You can use a white/chalk board to add words while everyone takes turns adding one word at a time. You can also write one all together and put it on paper you can bind together into a homemade book. This also works with filling in mad-libs if you need a starting point to get your creativity rolling!

 

Tie Dye


 

Tie dye is a lot of fun, and is also a great outlet for creativity! You can tie dye just about any article of clothing, and there are a million ways to tie and dye them! Once they are all finished, you will have a great memory every time you wear whatever you made! Check out “5 easy tie-dye instructions — plus, 4 tie-dye patterns to try” here: https://www.care.com/c/stories/3341/5-easy-tie-dye-instructions-and-4-tie-dye-pat/

 

Learn To Sew


 

Sewing is a skill that always comes in handy at one time or another. Even knowing how to sew on a button can be the difference between an awkward situation and a quick fix with no fuss. Basic stitches are also good to know in any future fashion emergencies.

 

Build Models


 

Order a model airplane, building, robot, car, etc. and build it together as a family. Model building is an awesome way to learn about how things go together, and how to work together as a team.

31 Days of Family Activities (Part 3)

Film For A Day 


 

Use your phones, or an old camcorder to document a whole day with your family. Then you can watch it back and even edit it into a fun family movie if you want to! As the years go by, it will be fun to look back and remember what a fun day you had, and how you lived at that time.

 

Dance Party 


 

Make a playlist with everyone’s favorite songs, and have big dance party! Go crazy and have fun just shaking out all your troubles. You will get a great workout for it, too!

 

Yoga/Pilates

 

Speaking of workouts, Pilates and Yoga are fantastic ways to help with flexibility and fitness. Start with beginner positions, and practice daily until everyone is super comfortable with learning gradually more complex positions. Never overdo these exercises, and they can be a really amazing way to promote a healthy body and mind. This site might be helpful if you are a beginner: https://www.yogabasics.com/practice/yoga-for-beginners/

 

Picnic


 

This can be indoor or outdoor, depending on your situation. Pack up some food, drinks, snacks, pillows, and blankets. Then set up a nice little picnic spot in your house or backyard! Picnics are always a lot of fun and much more relaxing than a typical formal meal at a table.

 

Make Cards/Write Letters


 

Letters and cards can mean so much to elderly in nursing homes and troops overseas. Make some handmade cards with happy messages, or write some kind letters, and send them out to senior homes and military bases. This is a wonderful way to boost morale and spread love to people who may be lonely and discouraged. You can use these links to send your cards: https://supportourtroops.org/cards-letters AND https://www.operationgratitude.com/express-your-thanks/write-letters/

 

31 Days of Family Activities (Part 2)

Craft Day


 

Coloring, collages, slime making, painting, etc. are all examples of super fun crafts you can do with your family. Art is something that can be therapeutic, so make sure this is a positive experience with no bad ideas or critiques. Art styles are all different, and there is no wrong way to be creative. Just have fun! Need inspiration? Visit Pinterest, or you can go to: https://funfamilycrafts.com for one great ideas.

 

Pizza Night


 

All you need is dough, toppings, sauce, and an oven to have your very own family pizzeria! Everyone gets enough dough for a personal sized pizza, and they can top it however they want. Then, you just bake and enjoy! This makes personal pizzas truly personal, and makes for great bonding time with food and fun!

 

Pillow Fort


 

One person can make a pretty awesome pillow fort, but a whole family can make an epic pillow CASTLE! Use cardboard boxes, blankets, couch cushions, pillows, and more to create a huge pillow fort to hang out in. 

 

Movie Marathon


 

(This is a great add-on to pillow fort day) Get comfy and watch a movie series for a day with lots snacks and finger food. Stay in your pajamas for extra coziness! 

 

Learn Sign Language

 

Sign language is a very useful language to know, and it is actually a lot of fun to learn. You can use books and/or online tutorials, help each other practice, and even try going a whole day communicating with just sign! Find more about learning sign language here: https://www.startasl.com/american-sign-language-alphabet/