I think we can all agree that 2020 wasn't the best year ever! As we turn the calendar page, it's time to Find Your Family Fun® in 2021!
Family is forever and the old saying is true: the days are long, but the years are short! Instead of focusing on the day-to-day challenges of parenting, these tips will help you focus on enjoying the fleeting moments that make up your life with the fam.
1. Go for a walk or hike together. Kids are more likely to open up while doing something physical. Walking is a great way to stay in shape too! Here's some great hikes off the Blue Ridge Parkway to get you started.
2. Take the Dry January Challenge! Dry January, also known as 'Dryuary' is all about making a personal choice to not drink alcohol during the month of January. Get the app to track your time off drinking.
3. Volunteer to help others. Whether you gather up outgrown toys or clothes to donate, help the homeless in your community, or help one of these local organizations, you'll teach your kids to help others while spending time together.
4. Ride bikes on a local trail. Give your heart and legs a workout as you enjoy family fun on wheels! Here's 10 Lynchburg VA Area Places to Ride Bikes.
5. Check the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar to find family-friendly local events. You don't have to look everywhere to find things to do! Check our calendar for the best local and virtual events!
6. Enjoy a snow day, with or without snow -- Check our Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Snow Day Fun Guide for snowy fun in any weather!
7. Teach your kids old school games like freeze tag, hopscotch, and dodge ball. You'll stay active and the kids will have a blast learning something new.
8. Paint and hide rocks or search for painted rocks with your kids -- Find out how to get started with Lynchburg Rocks in our Rock Painting Guide and a few inexpensive supplies.
9. Start a winter family journal or a 2021 blessings jar. Write down good memories from each day and look back at them on New Year's Eve 2021.
10. Read a book out loud, taking turns reading. Reading aloud helps improve your child's reading skills and listening to you read helps them learn more about using tone and inflection when they read.
11. Plan a backyard or living room picnic. Let each child and adult choose their favorite food, spread out a blanket, and enjoy!
12. Make a YouTube, TikTok, or Facebook Live video about your family's adventures or start a family vlog. Let the kids help choose locations and who knows - you may be the next internet sensation!
13. Decorate the tree or the house with paper snowflakes - Paper Snowflakes for Winter Fun. This is a perfect family activity for those dreary winter days when it's too cold or yucky to go outside.
14. Plan a family craft day. These 25 Crafts to Enjoy Anytime will help you with ideas.
15. Go outside after dark and try to identify the stars in the sky. This night sky map from EarthSky will give you a helping hand.
16. Get up early and watch the sunrise. Watch the weather forecast for a cloudless morning, wake the kids up early, bundle up, and watch the sunrise to start your day.
17. Spend a day at the park or playground. The Lynchburg and Central VA Parks Guide has information about all of the parks in the City of Lynchburg and surrounding counties.
18. Enjoy an indoor beach day experience. Grab towels, change into swim suits, and let the kids hit the tub. Whether you have a garden tub or just an ordinary tub, the kids will have a blast and so will you!
19. Create a 2021 family vision board. A family vision board helps you and your family share things you'd like to accomplish as a family in the upcoming year. Get started here!
20. Celebrate the rainy days too. It can be harder to find joy on a rainy day, but these 25 Ways to Enjoy Rainy Day Fun will help!
21. Start a new family tradition for 2021. Whether it's pizza Fridays, movie night Saturdays, or game night, you'll enjoy sharing time together. Here's 13 Classic Games for Family Game Night.
Plan your family's 2021 adventures now and make this your best year ever! Lynchburg Macaroni Kid helps you Find Your Family Fun® in any season! It's FREE to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, so click HERE and join the fun!
