Family Fun for FREE

I thought I would share a few creative, fun and inexpensive things that we do with our boys...

▲Making HUTS What is it about being under a blanket that is SO exciting? Is it just boys or what? You name it, we have made it into a fort of some sort... kitchen table, trampoline, beds, couches, etc. It's really not that hard and it's fun to get flashlights and tell stories under the blankets, even in the middle of the day. Food is also better inside a hut.

▲Number/Letter games we write numbers/letters on scrap paper and the kids go searching for them... but you can't get them out of their hiding spot unless it's their turn. This is great for
counting and learning the alphabet. (We have made it more complicated over the years-- like spelling certain words and having to find the letters in the right order. We also are do math this way. Example: What is 5+4.. find the right number....)

▲Red Rover How do you play red rover with 3 people? Easy. Two hold hands--and the other person is across the room, waiting to be called. We like to mix it up by replacing their name with an animal.. and they must act like that animal while running. Talk about a good time! My boys love to swim like dolphins and stomp like dinosaurs-- and Zack usually always ends up being a puppy, no matter what we ask him to be.

▲Treasure Hunts! We make up our own clues and hide them around the house. Sometimes they are simple, such as "the next clue is on the washer." If I feel really creative, they have rhyming and riddles. If I want my kids out of my hair for a bit, I send them on a task oriented riddle, "In order to get your next clue, you have to make your bed." When the job is finished, they are SO excited to find out which task is next.. this keeps them busy AND helps with cleaning. Usually at the end of the treasure hunt I hide a package of fruit snacks or another small treat. Ben and Luke now send each other on treasure hunts which is lots of fun for me!

▲Singing silly songs This started mainly when Zack joined our homeschooling routine, but I was so surprised to see how much my older boys love it! We spend lots of time singing "Do as I'm Doing" where they each take a turn to do something crazy (it's usually running around in a circle, while hitting their head☺) As long as I am doing it with them, it's fun. We also love monkey's jumping on the bed, popcorn, and once there was a Snowman-- (which can also turn into "Once there was a baby" or cactus, or tree.. but these grow bigger instead of smaller.)

▲Games- We LOVE games and I feel so lucky to have kids to play with because my husband is not such a fan... (but he's coming around.) We play Pick Up Sticks, Memory, Go Fish, Spoons, Mastermind, Sorry, Chutes and Ladders, Candyland, etc. It's usually best to do this when the baby is down for a nap, but sometimes he's included..

▲Art! Coloring is a MAJOR part of our every day lives. I probably throw away 30+ sheets of paper everyday and crayons are a must have in our house. Sometimes we create new animals.. Luke is in charge of drawing the head, Ben the legs, etc. We assemble our parts and give it a name. We love to paint, cut, glue and play with homemade playdough. I love to be at the table with them doing these things.. it really can be fun!

▲DANCE parties When there's tension with my kids, I usually blast music and have a dance party. For those of you who know me, I am not the best dancer-- but that's doesn't stop me from bustin' a move with my kids. This is more fun when Daddy is home because he has moves like it's going out of style. Dancing together can be so much fun (and helps you burn a few extra calories..) If you're feeling bored or down, whip out a good Christmas CD and turn up the volume.

▲Hide-and-Go-Seek (flashlight style) When it gets dark, this is their favorite thing. One person counts with the flashlight and there are NO other lights on in the house. Our kids usually hide in the same 3 spots but for some reason, it's still exciting. Zack is now playing along and knows how to be super quiet until you find him. We love this game so much that it is now a strictly reserved for FHE. My boys seriously count down the days until Monday night.

And last but not least..

▲READING! If my kids could chose any activity, it would be story time. They love to be read to and I believe it's because I try to make it exciting. I use silly voices and ask lots of questions ("Why do you think she did that?" or "What do you think will happen next?") There are so many good books out there and the next time you feel bored-- pick up a book! The library is our absolute favorite place to go. If the library is a frustrating place for you to take your kids... here are some tips. Create an account online.. do all your preparation before you go- and have the books waiting ON HOLD for you at the front desk. This way, you're not dragging the kids around, searching through the shelves. Spend your time there browsing and reading. Most children's sections are created for you to hang out there.. just relax and read together. We could NOT homeschool without a library.

So, that's our top ten list.