Our families are very precious and we, as women, often go to the ends of the world to make sure that they are well provided and cared for. In today’s hustle and bustle however, the concept of family that used to prevail a few years ago is becoming lost. With the economy being so low and everybody in the family taking up jobs far away from the family home and kids leaving for schools in other states, the once close knit group slowly drifts apart.
The fact remains, however, that we won’t be able to understand the importance of family and taking some time out for the people we love, unless we don’t stop and take a breather first.
The members of any family, who spend time and participate in activities together, are known to build a positive outlook on life and their own self worth, children especially. After all, spending time together doesn’t require much. Activities don’t have to be costly or luxurious but they must be meaningful for the people involved. There are a number of ways that you, as a woman of 50 or above can enjoy time with your loved ones, i.e. your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other members of the family as well.
10 Activity Ideas to Enjoy With the Family
This is why; when it comes to spending time with your family, experts suggest that mandatory family time should be scheduled at least once every week. When at a young age, your children are susceptible to the world around them. The following are some highly fun and creative ideas to make sure that your kids grow up into loving, caring, independent and positively driven individuals.
Bubble Catching Contest
This activity is one which includes the entire family and promises hours of laughter and amusement. You can make this into a competition; see who makes the biggest bubbles in the family and try to catch them with the round part of the bubble stick.
Evolving Story
This is a very fun and entertaining activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Attach some pages on a clipboard and write a single sentence. The sentence will be the beginning to a story, which will be taken over by the next person with the clipboard. Continue passing the clipboard to all members, until you come up with a short story. Read it out loud and laugh your heart out at the absurd and funny story. This is also a good time to regale your grandchildren with the stories you grew up listening to, too!
Camping Trip
Remember what it felt like, going camping as a kid, with the extended family? You can ensure that the children in your family get to feel the same by planning a camping trip! Be it in an RV or an authentic tent in the woods, this is one opportunity that will not only let the whole family explore the great outdoors but also share the experience with each other.
Dollar Store or Yard Sale Treasure Hunt
Take the whole family out for some inexpensive treasure hunting at a yard sale or dollar store. There’s no knowing what bargains you might find and at the end of the day, your slightly worse for wear pocket will be worth it.
Home Dinner and Movie Night
Having a movie family night is perhaps one sure method to bring the entire family together. Pick one night a week that works for everyone. Have everyone take turns picking a movie. You never know… you might learn something new from each other based on the movie choices!
Family Walk
This activity isn’t only ideal when it comes to exercising but is also ideal for spending time with your family; walking, talking, and just being able to enjoy the fresh air together. Not many people take the initiative to walk outside, in their gardens, the local park or the sidewalk; just for the sake of walking! Plan a walk or better yet, enroll the whole family into a charity walkathon where you can enjoy together and do some good for the needy as well.
Cooking Together
Cooking together with your grandchildren is a very good way to teach them about their culture, family values and the food that has been cooked in their family for generations. The kitchen can also become a place for experimentation, where your grandchildren might very well discover their hidden talents in the culinary arts.
Room Painting and Decorating
Looking at the same walls and décor for years tend to bring out negative feelings that quickly surround the entire home. This is why redecoration and repainting walls and rooms should be done from time to time. This too, can be taken up as a group activity, where everyone can give their input. You can help give the grandchildren give them their “dream room.”
Plant a Garden
If you have been thinking of picking up a hobby that can be shared with the rest of the family and your grandchildren especially, planting and working in a garden is a very good idea. You can even make this into a lesson about nature and teach your grandkids about flowers, edible plants, etc; as you work on your vegetable or plant garden together.
T-Shirt Painting or Dying
Start a home project of designing T-shirts for just about every occasion. For this, you will need fabric paints or dyes and lots of creative ideas and fancy designs to come up with the coolest, funkiest personalized T-shirts. They can also be given as ideal presents.
One thing to remember is, life doesn’t end after 50. In fact, the fun is just beginning with you being able to indulge in a variety of activities along with the future generations of your family, so enjoy this time to the fullest!