Most families weekdays are occupied by routines and obligations, that they don’t have the time they’d like to spend with each other. That’s why when the weekends roll around, many parents try to make spending quality time with their children a priority. Coming up with things to do during this downtime, however, isn’t always easy. Sure there are things like having a game night, going to the movies, shopping at the mall, going out for dinner, or just relaxing around the house, but sometimes you just want to mix things up.
Here are a few suggestions on unique family outings to mix up your weekends.
Camping or Hunting Trip
There is a lot of fun to be had and a lot of lessons to be learned on a family camping and/or hunting trip. Parents and children get to survive in the wilderness for a night unplugged from technology and the world around them. You can get deals on close out hunting gear, camping equipment, and whatever else you’ll need to teach them skills like how to build a tent, start a fire, and hunt for food and the best part is – they won’t even realize they’re learning life skills.
Paddle Boarding
Instead of just enjoying a day at the beach, why not learn how to paddle board as a family? It’s a really fun water sport to try. Likely a bit safer than surfing, it’s essentially a surfboard with a paddle which allows you to stand up and row along the waves and currents. It’s a lot of fun and great for exercising. Depending on where you live, you can rent stand up paddle boards or sups to give it a try. Then, if you enjoy it, you can invest in your own inflatable SUP and go boarding as often as you’d like.
Day Trips
You don’t have to sit in the house all weekend – even if you don’t have a ton of cash to spare. There are so many things to see and do around you that you and your kids would enjoy. Do some online research about your own town or the surrounding cities and choose a destination that sounds the most interesting for a day trip. You can spend the day exploring museums (many of which are free or cheap), checking out local fairs and festivals, playing at the local parks, or even just exploring the neighborhoods and shops.
Family Picnic
You don’t have to go far, have a lot of money, or do something extravagant to switch your weekends up. You can have a great time with your family at a local park with some delicious foods. Why not plan a family picnic? You can do some research to find some easy to make recipes and have fun in the kitchen creating these meals and snacks with your kids. Then, load up the car, grab the dog, and head to the park for some fun and food.
You can take your picnic adventure a step further if you’d like and turn it into a hiking trip or nature walks. Lots of parks have trails that are safe for traveling that you can indulge in with the kids. Go on a scavenger hunt, point out interesting animals or parts of nature, and once you’ve reached the end of the trail, enjoy some good grub.
Weekends are supposed to be a time where families can reconnect, recharge, and have fun. If you want to make those most of your weekends, planning activities that allow you to bond, learn, and enjoy each other’s company is recommended. Hopefully, the above ideas have given you some inspiration on activities you can try with your kids.
