Staying at home and spending time with those closest to you is the perfect plan for this Family Day. Whether you need to entertain the kids or want to be productive, we have ideas for you – and you don’t even have to leave the house! Check out our top activities for the perfect Family Day at home below.
play time
Board games are anything but boring – they’re fun for the whole family. Pull out an oldie, a favourite, or pick up a new game from J&J’s Cards and Collectibles. Puzzles, Lego sets, cards and board games come in all difficulty levels, so there’s something fun for everyone. If you’re feeling more creative, try making your own scavenger hunt. It can take place throughout the house, with clues as easy or as hard as you choose. This will keep your little hunters occupied and satisfied as they solve clues and find rewards.
special meal
Whether you’re a home chef or a newbie in the kitchen, there’s a recipe out there calling your name! You can perfect an old family recipe or try cooking something brand new. Alternatively, if you don’t feel like cooking (or doing dishes) ordering in is always a great option. Waterloo Region has so many great restaurants, like the Crazy Canuck in Kitchener. Either way, putting out a blanket and having an indoor picnic is a great way to spice up a meal and imagine that it’s summer again.
get organized
Take some time to organize and declutter your home. Go through your house, specifically closets, to see what you no longer use and can be donated. Once you’ve decluttered and cleaned you can see if there’s any furniture or décor you want to rearrange. Changing up a room can refresh and revitalize the space, making it feel new, so you never get bored.
get creative
Crafts are fun for all ages – you might even get some new home décor out of it. Everyone can paint, colour, create a scrapbook or collage. Kids love making slime and sock puppets, which provide long lasting entertainment. Teens and adults can try origami, knitting or making a vision board as a productive creative outlet. As a family, you can make a time capsule or write letters to your future selves. You can write about anything – try a story, a poem, a journal entry, a comic book, or a blog; the possibilities are endless!
self-improvement
Take some time to strengthen your body and your mind. Any type of exercise is beneficial to your health, so get your sweat on! Lift some weights, take a walk or do some yoga and stretching. Your body will thank you. As for your mind, you could try mediation, there are so many videos available that are easy to follow (and they’re free). Some other great options to keep your mind sharp are brain teasers, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, solitaire, and reading. Relish in a book by your favourite author, or find an article to learn more about something you’re interested in.
relaxation time
Use this extra day to relax and recharge. A pajama day while spending time with family, pets, or alone, is a recipe for a day well spent. Some other low-key options are online shopping, calling a loved one, or treating yourself to an at-home spa day. Take a bubble bath with some products from Lush, paint your nails, use a face mask, try out a new hairstyle or put together some bold new outfits with clothing already in your closet.
home videos
If you want to do some reminiscing, pull out your old home videos and photo albums. It’s always fun to look back and see how much the family has changed. If your kids won’t sit still for long, try making a new home movie. It’s super simple these days with smartphones and easy-to-use video editor apps that turn home movies into dazzling creations. Let them make their own story to act out or record whatever shenanigans they get into. Once they’re tired out, a pillow fort and movie will be the perfect combination.
Clearly, you don’t need to brave the weather to have a great Family Day, because home is often the best place to spend time together. So whatever you end up doing, we hope you have an enjoyable and refreshing Family Day!