Raising our children we purposely plan trips to visit our family. As we have moved around the country, the closest we have ever lived to our family was a 6-hour drive prior to having children. We try to plan as many vacations as we can a year, visiting family members that are scattered all over the US. On each visit, we try to pack in fun activities so our children will make memories of their family. Here are some memory-building activities…
Make memories with things to do in the house
While visiting with family members who are out of town there are times when going out to do things is not possible. Whether due to weather, location, the health of those you are visiting, or just due to wanting to stay and visit. There are a lot of things that you can do to keep kids busy while visiting family or while staying away from home.
Make memories while cooking together
Kids love to help in the kitchen. Planning meals, allowing extra time, and a bit of patience you can allow the kids to help cook. Our daughter loves to cook so much that we purchased a kid’s knife set with protective gloves for her when she was six. This one is similar to the one we have. Examples of easy-to-make kid’s meals could be cookies, cake, mac n’ cheese, spaghetti, and grilled cheese. It can be harder to cook with multiple children at once so consider taking turns if many are interested.
Make memories while playing board games
Prior to leaving for the trip go through your board games and consider bringing one or two that all ages can enjoy. Younger kids can enjoy Guess Who, Candy Land, Connect Four, or Hi-Ho Cheery-o. As kids get older Life, Monopoly, Clue, Checkers, Battle Ship, or Jenga are all great options.
Try playing cards
Teaching your kids to play a card game can provide fun for years to come. Carrying a pack of cards doesn’t take up a large amount of space or weight, and can include a small or large amount of people. Some fun card games can be anything from Uno, Solitaire, Rummy, Old Maid, Go Fish, War, or even teach them poker and play for goldfish crackers or m&m’s.
Chess
Chess is a great game that both kids and adults can enjoy together. Our son started getting interested in chess when he was seven. He learned the rules in school and started watching and learning more about it at ChessKids.com. He is now quite a formidable opponent!
Make memories while building a fort
I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t love to build forts, especially with other people. Use old blankets, towels, or couch cushions; the possibilities are endless. Once the fort is built, doing things inside makes it that much more fun for kids. Read them a story, play a game, or eat your lunch sitting in the fort; the kids will remember it for a long time.
Reading stories
Our kids love story time. It doesn’t matter their age. They especially love having their grandparents tell them a story. Read from a book or make one up. Having your group each take a turn and make up a part of the story makes it fun and gets everyone involved.
Dance party
Do your kids love to dance? Mine do! Put on some tunes and allow everyone to groove out. Changing up the different types of music and putting everyone’s skills to the test.
Make memories over a tea party
Recently my daughter decided we were going to have a tea party. We used fine heirloom china, and made mini sandwiches in the shape of triangles. We had chocolate chip cookies that my daughter baked along with fresh fruit. It was lunch but served on fancy plates and with the addition of tea. I explained to my youngest how the china was passed down from family members, and he opted to use plastic instead. He also chose to have lemonade. We all got dressed up, and by “dressed up,” my son wore an old tie over his t-shirt. We played classical music and used cloth napkins. It was very simple, but the kids have been talking about it all week, and it was one of the weekend’s highlights.
Make memories teaching life skills
There are certain things that all people should know how to do. Learning these from a family member is a great way to acquire these skills. They will never forget the person that taught them to sew a button, iron a shirt, put air in a tire, wash a car, check the oil in a lawn mower or learn how to take care of plants. Everyone has something that they can do well. Teaching a kid what you are good at or a life skill is a great way to spend time together.
Making memories outside
Make memories while learning to garden
Learning to take care of plants is a life-long skill that all people could benefit from. Teaching a kid to plant a seed, water, or pull weeds teaches them valuable skills. Learning that we need to take care of other things. Kids love to work in the garden as long as it feels fun and less like work.
Helping around the house
Teaching kids to help around a grandparent’s home is a great lesson to teach them. Every time we visit we always ask if there is anything that we can help with. More times than not they will say no, but if they do need help we are always willing and able to help out. Having your kids see you do it and having them pitch in will help teach them about being a good steward and to help others.
Playing catch or walking around the neighborhood
Learning to throw and catch a ball not only helps hand/eye coordination it is a fun pastime. Getting out and walking around the neighborhood will help them burn some energy.
Bird watching
Surprisingly kids love to bird watch. My kids love to sit outside and watch the birds with binoculars. We have a bird book and they spend time looking up what they saw. If someone that you are visiting enjoys this type of thing, they can teach the kids about the different types of birds they see.
Make memories while playing with sidewalk chalk
Sidewalk chalk can be used for both hopscotch, or drawings. You can grind it up and add water and paint with it instead for a fun twist.
As a final point
While visiting with family you don’t have to go to a lot of places or spend a lot of money. The time spent together is the enjoyable part. Find things that the family members love to do and allow your kids to spend time learning about those things with the kids. Your children will learn new things and could develop a new skill, appreciation, or hobby from someone that they love. We hope this gave you some new ideas next time you are on a trip visiting a loved one. If you enjoyed this article, check out our article, Staying with Grandparents: How to make it easy.