Monday, May 14, 2012

Time For Some Family Fun


Fun family night ideas are something all ages can cherish. A study by the Nielsen Company shows the average parent spends 38.5 minutes per week in meaningful conversation with his or her children. From a cozy evening with board games to do-it-yourself candied apples, you can plan a great family night, too!
Quality time needs to be fun … but with today’s busy schedules, planned. Work family night into your calendar just like you would plan dinner with your girlfriends, or happy hour. After that, the options are as wide as your family’s imagination. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next evening.

Fun family meal ideas

Great family meals start with a big dose of fun. Try the following next time:
  • Have breakfast for dinner (in your PJs).
  • Make-your-own pizza night (followed by make-your-own sundae, of course!).
  • Flash back to the ’70s with fondue night, serving an array of savory foods for the cheese fondue or strawberries and marshmallows for the chocolate version.
  • Kids Cook Night is a good way to get your kids in on the action (but be prepared to eat unlikely combinations like blueberry pancakes with mashed potatoes).

Game night

Kids have their usual favorite game du jour. Mix it up by playing Mancala, an African marble game, poker (you can bet with pennies or candy), dominoes, Battleship, or charades.

Movie night

Even the busiest week can be tamed by a stress-free family movie night with a warm fire, thrown-together dinner buffet on the coffee table, and hot cocoa with homemade whipped cream.

Take it outside

A family football game is always a good time, but for something a little different, arm everyone with a flashlight for a game of flashlight tag. For retro family fun, try pingpong or croquet. A fire pit also opens up an array of chilly weather options, from hot dogs and s’mores to ghost stories and stargazing.
With these ideas, you can even pack a cool-weather picnic. With the family at your side, good times are ahead!
Excerpted from Entertaining at www.AssocialLiving.com

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