As your family plans for the 'new normal' school day routine and cooler weather, plan ahead for after school fun too.
You'll find back-to-school information for all local public school systems in the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Back to School Guide here.
Whether your children are attending school in person, learning remotely, or being homeschooled, try to find time each week to enjoy after school family fun.
Add your own ideas to the list to create a family fun bucket list. Click on each link to learn more about the activity.
Let one child choose the activity each week; take a vote; or write ideas on pieces of paper, place in a jar, and pull an after school fun idea from the jar.
1. Go out for ice cream or shaved ice at one of these local sweet treat locations.
2. Teach your kids an old school game like hopscotch, jacks, dodge ball, or Red Light Green Light. Here are some favorite classic outdoor games.
3. Visit Riveredge Park in Madison Heights. You can walk down the boat ramp to see the James River, walk or ride bikes on the paved trail, or enjoy the playground.
4. Play disc golf at Peaks View Park -- use regular frisbees if you don't own disc golf discs.
5. Visit Monument Terrace in Downtown Lynchburg -- walking up and down the steps is great exercise!
6. Head to Percival's Island to take photos at the LOVEworks sculpture, then hike down under the bridge to the James River.
7. Grab a trash bag and gloves and pick up trash in your neighborhood.
8. Sort through fall and winter clothes to donate to an organization that helps others.
9. Plan a family play date at an area school playground. Our two favorites are Heritage Elementary School and Linkhorne Elementary School.
10. Plan an after school craft day. Here are 25 Crafts to Enjoy Anytime.
11. Check out books at Lynchburg Public Library or your county library.
12. Bake cookies or cupcakes, then share some with your extended family or friends.
13. Ride bikes at Percival's Island, Peaks View Park, or the Blackwater Creek Bikeway. Check out our top 10 places to ride bikes in the Lynchburg area.
14. Hike the Alpine Trail or take a family hike on one of these hiking trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
15. Decorate your sidewalk or driveway with sidewalk chalk.
16. Go fishing at Ivy Creek Park in Lynchburg, English Park in Altavista, Monacan Park in Madison Heights or another area fishing site. Check our Lynchburg Area Parks Guide for information about all of the area's parks.
17. Enjoy fresh fruit from a Central Virginia pre-picked or PYO fruit orchard.
18. While it's still warm outside, check out one of these five Lynchburg area water holes where your family can cool off.
19. Play kickball or tag in your backyard or set up the sprinkler and get wet.
20. Plan an after school playdate or a virtual playdate via Zoom or FaceTime with family members or friends who live far away. Here's 10 Ways to Connect with Family and Friends virtually.
21. Walk around downtown Lynchburg and see what's new -- be sure to walk on the Bluffwalk between Jefferson and Commerce streets.
22. Take a nature walk in your neighborhood and look for signs of fall.
23. Play a round of your family's favorite board game or try a new game. Here are 13 Classic Games for Family Game Night.
24. Enjoy a back yard family picnic or pack a picnic lunch and spend the day at one of these top 10 picnic sites.
25. Visit the Anne Spencer Garden or Old City Cemetery and take family photos. Here are the top 25 family photo shoot locations in Central Virginia.
If we've learned anything in the longest years of our lives 2020 and 2021, it's that life is more than work and school. Try to make time every day for a little family fun. Pick a few of these free and inexpensive activities and enjoy making family memories!
Find out what's happening around town in every season with the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid event calendar. Follow us on Facebook for advance notice on local events, specials at local family-friendly businesses, and more.
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