Activities for Families, Adults, and Kids

In-A-Day Activities

Our Activities offer creative ideas that you can do with your family or modify for a unique date idea. When you add a little imagination to activities you create memories that last a lifetime.

A new In-a-day are posted a few times a year. Check back or enjoy browsing our extensive archives for other great ideas.

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Make a Time Capsule

2/9/2016

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Making a time capsule for your family can be a great bonding activity and also help set goals. For this activity, you will need some magazines and your choice of canister in which you wish to store items for your "future" self. You can make it a simple container by using a large manila envelope or be creative by decorating a used paper towel roll in which you can place your papers.

Start by setting out the magazines in the middle of the table with tape, glue, a blank white paper, and pens. Then have the whole family cut out things they would like to own such as the type of house or car. Consider what occupation the person might like to have, (no, you don't have to be young to dream of a future career, I still am trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up) and also put in places you would like to live or visit someday as well as a future pet.

On the outside of your container, place the day you made the capsule along with a day for it to be opened in the future.

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Give your time to Charity

6/18/2015

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Working together as a family or even as a couple can be a great bonding experience and can also give the opportunity to help out a charity in need. The difficulty, sometimes, of volunteering with a busy schedule is that it is hard to be somewhere at a specific day or time weekly and can make us hold back so we don't over commit. Well, the good news is that there are several organizations that are actually online and you can sign up for days that you have available as well as give yourself the chance to help out at a lot of well-deserved charities. How it works on many of these sites is you sign up and take a brief, but informative, orientation. Some have small fees just to help cover the website expense and are, of course, a donation. Then, you browse what charities are looking for help on days you have available. In some cases, you can provide them with special skills you have in the event there is a need in that area. I have done an event where I read to homeless children, served in a food kitchen, boxed food and medical supplies, played a sporting game with at risk teens, and provided park clean up. The list and need is endless. You can take turns, as a family, picking out causes that are close to your heart.

http://www.volunteermatch.org/ all over projects
www.onlinevolunteering.org helping online projects.
www.makeadifference.org is in the Greater Phoenix area.

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Hire a Museum Guide

4/8/2015

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Look at art from a professional standpoint, in your own city. If you visit a local museum a few times a year, you may think you have seen it all, but when you take a guided tour with an art expert you can learn a lot more about the back-story of the paintings. You may even learn to appreciate pieces that previously had not been your taste.

Some of the more well-known museums have guides ready at the entrance since most tourists would not dream of going to a place like the Louvre without one. When you visit a smaller local place, it can feel like the process of hiring a guide is an added expense and that a visit can be done without an expert. What we end up doing is missing some of the most important aspects of the art. Just make sure that you call in advance to set one up. Even at the little local museums there is always someone available and often times the price is not unreasonable.

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Host an Open-Mic Night

2/12/2015

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I am always surprised by the talents of people around me. I mean really impressed. Many times that shy, quiet child or even that rambunctious, loud prankster has an amazing talent. Bring it out by hosting an open-mic night. Buy or rent a microphone. Yes, I broke it down to the simplest form. Put the mic in the front of the room you will be hosting in, have some "at the show" snacks, add in fun sing-a-long music, and then invite kids, teens, and family over. Let them know that any form of entertainment is game. Jokes, songs, poetry, whatever strikes their fancy, and then sit back and enjoy the show.

If everyone is too quiet, make a game out of it. Pass the microphone around and ask a question such as "What is the first word that comes to mind when I say... Porcupine?". Then, everyone in the group individually says the first thing that came to their mind into the mic and passes it to the next person. The person responsible for asking the question rotates to the next person on their right. (or left. It's your house, your rules) At the very least, some of the answers will be humorous.

This idea works great for teens. Of course, they will be quiet at first. But leave the room, let them put on their own music, and wait for the magic.

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Cake decorating contests

10/16/2014

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Cake decorating is an art form that I have never acquired the skill for, but I still enjoy trying. Having a cake decorating contest or party can be a fun day project. Yes, you can use cookies or cupcakes, but I find that, since cakes have a much larger surface to create on, they can be more fun.

You can start from scratch or you can cheat a bit like me and buy a cheap, plain white frosted cake so that everyone has the same cake from the grocery stores. No baking! That way your time is spent on being creative instead of mixing and cleaning. The purpose of this is activity is the decoration, not the making of the cake.

Buy mixed frosting colors for each cake, then have a number drawing to see who picks their frosting color first. By using an assortment of frosting color the results of the creations will be unique. Host a decorating contest among your own family or with some of the neighbor kids. Each person gets to take home their creation so they can share those tasty calories with their own family. This idea also makes a unique date activity! Your own version of Cake wars.

Materials:
Cakes pre-frosted
Candies
Mini cookies like animal crackers
Sprinkles
Draw-on edible pens and frosting pens-fruit-more frosting
The Dollar stores have lots of decorations for... you guessed it, a dollar, that can be put on cakes. But remember to remind the kids that most are not edible. Like mini cars, trains, and doll figures.
A camera for all the pictures you are going to want to take

You can make it a social media contest if it is adults engaged in the contest. I think for young kids hoping for votes might be discouraging, but for adults it can be a lot of fun trying to get their friends to vote on their cake. Never say who decorated what cake though. Make the votes only on the cakes.

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Pajama Party Entertaining

8/28/2014

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Pajama Parties are a fun and easy idea to entertain for all ages. No, I am not talking about a sleep-over pajama party, I am talking about a daytime pajama get-together. Keep it as simple as you like and serve breakfast food that everyone will enjoy. Waffle or pancake-making bars can become an activity as opposed to just having food laid out. Have bowls of yummy add-ins like Resees pieces, M & M's, fresh fruit, nuts, peanut butter, unique jellies, flavored syrups, and of course whipped cream. If you are thinking about making waffles, they now have a spray can waffle batter so everyone can make their own with a counter flip waffle iron.

For kids this can be an afternoon party where your kids invite their friends over and watch cartoons in front of the TV or they can even decorate pillow covers to take home. Purchase puff paints or fabric painting kits that can be placed on the kitchen table, just make sure it is covered well. Teens will like this idea for an early evening party where they can tell ghost stories, play board games, and, if you have the ability, make S'mores. An adult-only get-together can include a breakfast bar with some mimosas and socializing. For family reunions, include some fun games like Pictionary with a large drawing pad on an easel so everyone in the room can see. If you have the right number of boys and girls, then make it a gender challenge or else just split up the guests equally.

Each age range can have its own spin on a pajama party. A fun game for guest of all ages that requires little prior planning is the wink and murder game where each player pulls a slip of paper from a stocking cap and some papers are blank and one paper identifies the player as the killer. Throughout the party, the "killer" winks at his/her victims and they have to fake their death a few minutes later and far away from the actual killer. Guest can guess who they think the killer is before they are wink-killed. If they guess wrong, they have to fake their own death. (The player has to whisper the question "are you the killer?" into the person they suspect's ear for a yes or no reply. If it is yes, they are the winner, and if it is no, they must fake their own death).

When we played this for our family reunion, my father-in-law turned out to be the killer and absolutely no one suspected him as he had a bit of difficulty getting around and is pretty quiet so he just waited for his victims to come say hello to him. One of my nieces even decided to up her game on her faked death by painting herself with horror makeup and fake blood. This game has been around for a while and has many different spins and names. I am not sure where it originated, but it is a brilliant activity that does not have to be planned.

Looking for Pajama ideas? We bought ours at http://www.jumpinjammerz.com/ because they had camoflauge footed ones for the guys. Of course, you can find cute pajamas anywhere.

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Black and White Cartoon Day

8/21/2014

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Good old-fashioned black and white cartoons can make a fun theme day. If you have never watched one, or else it has been a very long time since you have, they are very, very different from the cartoon humor they have out today. Most are slap-stick style comedy and the humor is dated. Many of these cartoons you will find yourself saying, "Did they just say that?".

Host an old-fashioned cartoon get-together or make it a lazy morning activity. I have seen the black and white cartoons on sale for $.99 to $1.99 in a lot of retail chains. Have everyone wear black and white to get in the theme and serve black and white colored food snacks. Try turkey sandwiches on dark pumpernickel bread, white corn chips with black bean dip, and for desserts, break out the Oreos.

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10 FREE Things on your Birthday

8/14/2014

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Who doesn't like FREE?! If your birthday is coming up soon, there are some things that you can get that are free.

Some of them require that you sign up for their club.

Sephora- Get a free gift your birthday month: Sign up for their rewards at

Starbucks: Get a free drink on your birthday if you sign up for their rewards program.

Toys R Us: For the little members 10 years and younger, if you join their club, on their birthday they get a free announcement of their birthday in store, a birthday crown, and a balloon. They can also get a call from Geoffrey on their special day!

Red Robin: Get a free burger on your birthday by joining their eClub.

Bashas: Kids receive a free birthday cake through age 10 if you sign up for their Birthday Club.

Kmart: Children get a free $5 gift card and a birthday gift pack if you sign them up for the birthday club.

Denny's: Get a Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday.

Disney: Receive a credit for a free Blu-ray movie on your birthday, if you sign up for the Disney Movie rewards program. Does not include shipping and handling.

Dairy Queen: Get a free blizzard on your birthday if you sign up for their rewards coupon.

Birthdayfreebies.com: Sign up and check out what is available in your zipcode for free on your birthday.

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Swap After School Activities

7/25/2014

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The term "It takes a village" should not be taken lightly. When raising kids, we rely on other's input and help. From those lucky enough to have family and friends babysit, to sports club organizations, and even blogs that provide us with ideas, we benefit by the knowledge and help of others. When I was growing up, I was blessed to have been raised in a neighborhood with many cultures. Our neighborhood had an overwhelming number of service men that had brought home brides from their time abroad, my mother being one of them. Our parents didn't have the extra cash to send us to paid after-school activities. To be honest, in that time, it was more rare than common to send your kid to a paid lesson. We learned new things from our neighbors' moms and dads. I learned football from my friend's dad who was a high school football coach. We met at the school close by twice a week, he split us up in teams with a mix of boys and girls, then he taught us the game. He was our coach. I also learned how to make sushi, to speak a little Japanese, and to crab fish from my across-the-street neighbor. Each parent in our neighborhood taught us something. Still today, I make some amazing Japanese food.

This can be just as effective in today's world. Most of use have some very talented friends with kids the same age as our own. Set up a swap of skill. Do you have a mom out there that is an avid runner? She can take the kids on a fun run one afternoon a week. An engineering, math-minded dad? He can set up a once-a-week building experiment. A mom or dad that likes to cook? How about a cooking class.
If you have a friend that is so overwhelmed that you would like her and her kids to participate, but they have no time and sadly no skill to offer, this friend can provide the food for the cooking class, help drive the kids back and forth, or be responsible for a once-a-month picnic in the park.

The benefits of this type of consortium is that you can build strong bonds and friendships between the kids. It also doesn't hurt to have multiple eyes on your kids. In my neighborhood, people actually used to tell the parents when they caught their kid doing something. I didn't just watch out for my own mother when I was up to no good, I watched out for everyone's mom and dad. Another huge benefit is the costs. Let's just take a moment to remember how much business-sponsored classes cost. Join karate? $100 a month. Tutoring? $100 a month. Learn how to play tennis? $100 a month. Heaven forbid you do all three. $300 a month. Think of what your group can accomplish for that kind of money?

Now here is the most important part of a consortium, you need to make ground rules and stick by them. Ask around to those people in your groups, maybe send out an email offering what you can do and what you are looking for. Make sure that you are not asking some people to do more than any other. If you want to find five skilled friends, ask for one hour a week. Fill it up Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri, or even a Saturday. Never ask for more then one day a week. Give people an out. Have them agree to a two month agreement. That way if it doesn't work out or becomes difficult for the person to continue doing, then they don't feel like they are letting someone down. Maybe the next go around, they just provide money to the group events and join back up the next cycle.

Potential problems to address:

What time of day? Pick a set time. It will not work for everyone, there is nothing that you can do about that. If you are looking for an after-school activity group then make it right after school or before most dinner times. Since you cannot please everyone, make that clear in your email from the start. Something like, "I am looking to start an after-school activity swap. I know that it is impossible to work within everyone's schedule. I wish I could, but I cannot. I am looking for four parents to host a different activity at their home one day between Monday and Friday starting at 4 pm to 5 pm." The first person to say, "I want to participate, but I can't at that time, can you change it?" let them know that you would love to possibly attend a consortium that they start. Add in that, hopefully, they can participate next cycle.

Someone offers up something that makes you roll your eyes? Underwater basket weaving not your thing? Don't knock it. It can be the one thing you never thought your kids would enjoy. Give it a whirl.

My child doesn't want to do a specific activity? There really is no easy way to say this. Do you give your child a choice whether they get to go to the school or to the dentist? Enough said. Kids learn from trying things they think they will like as well as those that they do not. Each cycle is only for two months. At the end of that time, opt out for that activity. You do NOT have to go to every activity in your consortium. Some kids do have other outside interests. Of course, you can always plan that "necessary" activity on the day your kiddo really tried it and it did not work for them. That way you have no hard feelings.

One of the mom has six kids and the rest of us only have one or two. That happens. The best way to deal with this is to understand the kids will only be with each person for one or two hours a week. I have always found it beneficially to mix single and dual kids in with families that have more kids and vice-versa. It opens their views to other families structure. That does not mean however, if one of the activities is a craft hour that might cost a lot more per child, that it is unreasonable to ask that any child over lets say two, pay a $5 per class cost. Remember put that in your email.

One of the kids can't behave or doesn't get along with the others. Again, while this is frustrating, it is part of life and how children learn to tolerate others when they are older. As much as we would like, children will not always encounter people they get along with. Does that mean you should have to put up with a kid interrupting every class? Of course it doesn't. Put it in writing. Maybe have each "teacher" give out a sticker for the kids that listen. That can clue in a parent that a child might be having social difficulties. Maybe a group treasure chest for so many stickers collected. It is also appropriate to ask the parent to stay with the child during the lesson because "Little Johnny may not be as interested in the lesson as I had hoped. He prefers to chase my cat and Mittens has been in hiding ever since. Can you come and help see how I can get his interest?"

Most importantly, relax and enjoy your child's new group of friends. They will all remember you fondly as they grow up because of the memories you helped create in their lives.

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Cellphone Game- What Is This Object?

7/10/2014

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Let the kids keep their cellphones for this game! Make sure you have everyone's cellphone numbers and start a group text of "what is this object?". We have done a post previously about playing a hide-and-seek hunt with a cellphone, this is less of a hide-and-seek game and more of a what-is-that-picture activity.

Take a picture of something, anything. It can be an animal, plant, mineral, what ever you want. Take several pictures of the item from extremely close up so it shows just
the color and the texture of the item. Then, in stages, take pictures of the same
image, just zooming out to full view. Send out the first text with the very first close-up picture. Give them a time in which to guess what the object is. Continue to send texts as you move outward from the object until someone guesses what the picture is of. Sort of like a slowly reversing zoom lens.

There are some camera phones that will allow you to take one picture and crop/edit to look like it is a zoom. If you have just such a camera then this will be easier and you might be able to use images you already have stored on your phone. If not, things with odd textures and colors work the best for that ah-ha moment.

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<<Previous

In-A-Day Activities

Make a Time Capsule

Give your time to Charity

Hire a Museum Guide

Host an Open-Mic Night

Cake decorating contests

Pajama Party Entertaining

Black and White Cartoon Day

10 FREE Things on your Birthday

Swap After School Activities

Cellphone Game- What Is This Object?

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