If your family is like many other families, your life seems to be a cycle of work, school, chores, shuttling kids, dinnertime, homework, dropping into bed exhausted, and doing it all over again the next day.
Life's too short! Work some family time into every day. Make the time for fun every week. Plan ahead for a family vacation or a weekend getaway. Life's about more than just doing all the things that need to get done, so find the time to spend together, take the trip whenever you can, and make the memories you'll share for a lifetime.
Try these 10 ways -- big and small -- to add family fun to your life:
1. Check the calendar. There are lots of family friendly events to enjoy in the Lynchburg area. Check out the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid event calendar and Find Your Family Fun® any day of the week.
2. Play a board or card game after dinner. Don't let the fact that it's a weeknight keep you from making time for fun. Between dinnertime and bedtime, take five or 10 minutes to play a family game together.
3. Save toward a family getaway goal. Sit down together and make a list of places you'd like to go that are close to home. Whether it's a science museum in the next town or a camping trip in the next state, do some research to find out the cost. Then work together to save a little money on everyday things, putting that money into your getaway fund. Check periodically to see how close you're getting to your goal. Once you're close enough, set a date and follow through.
4. Invite another family to spend a family fun day with your family. As parents, it's easy to get busy with life and schedules, but make time to enjoy the friendship of other families. If you have friends in your neighborhood, plan a block party or pot luck lunch. You can also reach out to friends who have kids close in age to yours or parents of some of your kids' friends.
5. Plan a family movie night at home. Pick up pizza, pop some popcorn, put blankets in the floor and hang out together watching an old favorite, a movie you've been wanting to see, or something on Netflix.
6. Take a family walk after dinner or on the weekend. Stay in your neighborhood if it's easy to walk or walk at a local park or walking trail.
7. Tell a progressive story together. The first person starts the story, then each family member adds a little bit. The story will twist and turn as you add to it. See who can add the funniest segment!
8. Be a tourist in your own city. Walk around downtown and look for places you haven't visited. Head to your local visitor center for brochures and a map. Use your phone or camera to record your adventure. Check out these 25 Amazing Family Photo Shoot Locations in Lynchburg and Central Virginia.
9. Plan a date your kid afternoon or evening. Let each child enjoy some one-on-one time with mom or dad. If you have two kids, let one child spend the day with mom and one with dad. Next time, swap kids. If you have more than two children, take turns. You'll get to know each other better as you enjoy some special time together.
10. Plan a fun activity, event, or getaway destination every weekend. Your life may be too busy to take a trip every weekend, but there's always time to squeeze in a fun family activity or attend an event together.
Follow us on Facebook for lots of shared local events, subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter to be first to know what's happening around town, and check the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid website anytime to Find Your Family Fun® in Lynchburg and Central Virginia.
