Family
All week, we look forward to our much-deserved weekend — our break, our reset, and our time to spend with our little ones. What you decide to do with your family on the weekend usually depends on what the weather is like outside and what your budget is. We'll explore your options from inside to outside, low cost to pricey, and everything in between.
01 — Board game night
A timeless classic, the board game night is always a hit. For the price of the game, you can have a night of friendly competition and many laughs. It can teach your child valuable lessons such as how to work in a team, how to strategize, and how to win or lose with grace. My recommendation is Monopoly — while still having the benefits listed before, it can also teach your child about money and capital.
source: ErikaWittlieb, Pixabay
02 — Movie marathon
Grab the popcorn! This activity costs the price of your streaming platform and the snacks to munch on throughout your marathon. I recommend a series of age-appropriate films so the children can get a better sense of the characters and how they develop. For young children, I recommend the Veggie Tales animated series. For older children, I recommend the Harry Potter films.
source: Frank Reppold, Pixabay
03 — Trampoline park
Jump around! The trampoline park is one of the few things that makes me jealous of children today. Nowadays, kids have the luxury of walking into a building filled with trampolines, basketball nets, loud music, and new friends to make all year long. What is there not to love? You know, aside from the price of admission and the occasional injury.
source: ruivaelisa, Pixabay
04 — Museum
For a curious child, a museum may have the mental stimulation they've been looking for. For the price of admission, you have an activity that involves walking and learning. Depending on their interests, you can visit any number of museums or similar institutions — a history, science, or art museum, or even a planetarium, an insectarium, or an arboretum.
source: Hermann, Pixabay
05 — Movie theatre
Sometimes parents need to sit in a dark room for a few hours to renew their patience. For the price of tickets and snacks, you can visit your local movie theatre and watch whichever kids' movie is showing. Look for something zany, colourful, and with good music that you can also appreciate.
source: Derks24, Pixabay
06 — Skating rink
Have you been to "Free Skate" at your local indoor skating rink? Invite a friend and their kids, join the group of people circling the rink, and have a chat while your little ones learn to balance, keep a steady pace, exercise, and try something new. Make sure not to tie their skates too tight or too loose — find that sweet spot!
source: hromnc, Pixabay
07 — The arcade
While many kids play games at home on their consoles, iPads, or computers, they miss out on the in-person socializing at an arcade. Instead of yelling at your friend over a headset in your bedroom, you can yell at them in person at the arcade! Perhaps it will also make them realize how silly it is to be yelling over a game — but then again, maybe not.
source: PepaLove, Pixabay
08 — Hiking
Nothing worth doing is easy. Words can't describe the pride you feel once you reach the top and enjoy a snack with a view you earned. This activity is better suited for older kids — hopefully you can share the pride and satisfaction of conquering a hill and enjoying the fresh air together.
source: nikolaus_bader, Pixabay
09 — Fishing
Grab a rod, grab some bait, find some water, cast your line, and bond. Fishing is a timeless family activity that's been bringing families together for a long time. Try sitting in the shade with nothing to stimulate you other than conversation with your family members and see how rewarding it can be.
source: fkabay, Pixabay
10 — Pool or beach
On a hot day, you'd be hard-pressed to find an activity better than swimming. Whether in a pool or at the beach, you won't find anything as refreshing. Many neighbourhood kids congregate at their local pools during the summer so it can also be an opportunity for your little one to find new friends. Don't forget the sunscreen!
source: stevepb, Pixabay
11 — Local farmer's market
For younger kids, your local farmer's market will be a nice place to visit. They can observe the antiques and try the homemade goods while you peruse the shops. This is usually a shorter activity if you want something that won't take all day.
source: linsight, Pixabay
12 — Picnic
Grab a blanket, chips, sandwiches, and drinks, and head out! The quality of the picnic relies on the quality of the food, the company, and the location. A nice park, a hill with a lookout, or a private green area by the water are all ideal spots.
source: vika_glitter, Pixabay
13 — Camping
Need to unplug? Camping can be the break from the rat race you've been looking for. Find a campsite deep in the woods. Some important items to pack: a tent, sleeping bags, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, a lighter, a few flashlights, and all the ingredients to make s'mores.
source: Maria1968, Pixabay
14 — Apple picking
Fulfill your evolutionary urge to hunt and gather by going apple picking at your local farm. This is a great activity because it teaches kids where the fruits they consume regularly come from. You can also teach them how to tell when an apple is ripe, premature, or spoiled.
source: JillWellington, Pixabay
15 — Sidewalk chalk
Help your child discover their artistic expression through sidewalk chalk art. For the price of the chalk, you can draw together and see how different your depictions are. Make it competitive by guessing each other's drawings, or make it a weekly project — decorate the driveway, take a photo, hose it down, and restart. At the end of the summer, print a booklet of your creations as a memento of the fun you had together.
source: sagewords, Pixabay
16 — Theme park
This one is on the pricier side, but the excitement your little ones will feel is unmatched. Although the bigger rides are better suited for older kids, there is usually a section of the theme park dedicated to younger riders too. A great lesson your kids will learn here is patience — they will have to wait in long lines for an exhilarating one-minute experience. It will teach them that some things in life are worth the wait.
source: MemoryCatcher, Pixabay
17 — Waterpark
Similar to a theme park but much more refreshing. From waterslides to the wave pool to the lazy river, there is something for every member of the family. On a hot day, the waterpark beats waiting in line in the sun. Just don't forget to reapply sunscreen after getting wet — sunburn is not a fun souvenir!
source: bobrekov, Pixabay
18 — The zoo
Do you have an animal lover at home? Bring them to the zoo! An activity that involves walking and learning, the zoo is perfect for children of any age. Teach them about what the animals eat, what kind of environment they live in, and watch how in awe they are about being in the presence of the majestic beasts.
source: Pixabay
19 — Zipline
Not recommended for those afraid of heights. Ziplining is as exhilarating as a theme park but usually located within a forest — bring lots of mosquito repellent. Unleash your inner Tarzan by traveling from tree to tree along a cord attached to your harness. Do you dare look down?
source: caropat, Pixabay
20 — Sports event
Depending on what level of sport you attend, admission and food can get expensive — but it changes the experience when your family is present within a passionate fan base. The chants, the loud music, the horns, and how people dress in support of their team all add to it. It can inspire your child to want to excel in the sports they are playing now, imagining themselves one day playing in a stadium full of fans.
source: tookapic, Pixabay