How to Laugh and Play More as a Family

Play more.

Laugh more.

Create more.

In our hurry-up culture, our fill-every-spot-on-the-calendar life, and our present social media world, we sometimes lose sight of what matters most.

You see, we forget in all the planning and going and doing to spend quality and fun time with our family—those who mean the most to our hearts.

[bctt tweet=”In our hurry-up culture, our fill-every-spot-on-the-calendar life, and our present social media world, we sometimes lose sight of what matters most. @FridayKaren” username=”inspireafire”]

Play and Laugh

Perhaps you wonder how to plan enjoyment for your family, including adults and kids of various ages. Yet, most of us remain big kids at heart anyway.

So, after adult-ing all day or all week, what better way to bring out the child in us than by a little creative recreation.

Here’s a few ideas with the acrostic “family fun.” I hope these spur a few ideas on how to inspire the laughing and playing often missing from our lives.

[bctt tweet=”Tips to inspire the laughing and playing often missing from our lives and from our families. @FridayKaren” username=”inspireafire”]

Play and Create

Fly a kite. While on our beach trip this year, we enjoyed watching a dad and his kids flying a kite near the ocean’s edge. I’m willing to bet it was a highlight to the trip. And with so many electronic devices in kid’s hands these days, why not show them a different activity by putting a kite in their hands. Take advantage of windy days in our own yard or a park.

Assemble something as a team. A puzzle, a model car, rocket ship, new play set, swing, tent or teepee, a kite, and so on. Kids love to help and are invested knowing they will admire, try out, or use the finished project. What’s more rewarding and fun at the same time.

Make cookies or cupcakes, then decorate. Messy hands and a messy kitchen is the recipe for both yummy and hooray. Whether small kids or teens, icing or sprinkles, admiring or tasting, baking simply produces enjoyment. A glass of cold milk never hurts either.

Invite extended family members to a family-friendly movie night or talent show. And set up the room like a theater complete with popcorn or other snacks. This activity  generates memories that last. My twin sister and I performed shows in front of the sofa for our parents, step-parents, and extended family members. I remember many of the details because the scenes lodged in my mind as our own home movie.

Listen to songs and lip sync. And use play microphones or pretend with hairbrushes or serving spoons. Nothing like oldies and funny tunes to fill our home with laughter—music to our ears. Some of my favorite movie scenes are when a mom, dad, or kids lip sync an upbeat song. Like Sandra Bullock’s character in, Hope Floats, lip syncs to cheer up her daughter.

Yard games at our house or neighborhood gathering. Again, my sisters and I played in our yard and at our friends too. In the fall, we held leaf parties. We raked leaves in a huge pile and ran through, fell into, and tossed in the air. Plan a tug-of-war. Summer season means slip-and-slides, water balloon wars, and who can catch the most lighting bugs in a jar at dusk. Still, every season lends itself to varied games to keep boredom at bay. Kids love it when parents and grandparents join in the fun.

Play and Fun

Fish together. I remember the first time I went fishing with my dad. Absent from my life for a few years, he reappeared and took me and my sister on adventures like fishing. Yet, I learned a lot about fishing, myself, and about the people with me. But if the real deal is not an option, young kids love battery-operated fishing games. Or, play the card game, Go Fish.

Under the stars. Go camping or plan to sleep under the stars in our own backyard. My husband and I created many family memories for our son and daughter by camping. We visited state parks and campgrounds in several different states. And children also enjoy campouts on their own turf. So pitch a tent in the yard and create a camping atmosphere at home.

Navigate a scavenger hunt, a maze, a neighborhood walk, or a hiking trail. Our local community provides a corn maze during fall festivals. Also, family scavenger hunts are easily set up using items found around our home. Still further, walks or hikes promote talking among our family members.

Now go out and play more, laugh more, and have fun.

Images and design created in Adobe Spark.