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2014: Snow Day Activities

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2014: Snow Day ActivitiesThankful for a warm home, power, and a healthy family, we have enjoyed our snow days this week. Though it took some time for the snow to accumulate, we were not disappointed with the final results.

This afternoon, we enjoyed sledding and playing with our neighbors in the white stuff before it turned into slush. We tossed snowballs, made snow angels, sled down the hill, and built snowmen.

The time outdoors was great as we have been cooped up this week. We topped off the outdoor activities with an indoor hot chocolate treat. Yum!

2014: Snow Day Activities

The snow did what the train tracks, crafts, drawings, reading, and movie-watching from the last few days could not do. The trips up the snow-covered hill wore them out. All three of my kids were ready for bed tonight.

If you are still stuck indoors and needing some snow day activities to stay active, then try some of these activities:

Snow Day Baking

From this Snow Ice Cream Recipe posted by BeCentsAble to your favorite chocolate chip cookies, baking provides lots of fun in the kitchen while keeping your home warm.

Snow Day Crafts, Games, and More

From building a tent to pulling out the board games, kids hop from one activity to another. For the mama and daddy, who just need a little inspiration, check out these snow day activities posts:

Snow Day Printable Packs

Though Phil, the groundhog, says spring is on the way, we are still very much experiencing winter. My backyard is still thawing the snow, and Miss 3 is not happy that the snowmen are melting. As we could still see some more ice and snow in the coming weeks, these activities are close at hand.

Finding snow day activities lifesavers on these cold days, I am so grateful for the many bloggers who compile these lists and create these printable packs. I appreciate their hard work and willingly pass along their accomplishments that we all may enjoy them.

As I am off to bundle up under a warm blanket to watch the Olympics, may you stay warm, healthy, and energized with these snow day activities. Happy creating!

Question: Are you experiencing snow days this winter?

2013: Summer Bowling – AMF Summer Unplugged

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AMF - Summer Unplugged

Photograph Credit: AMF

Having just planted our spring garden, I’m amazed how close we are to summer.

With the cooler temperatures lasting much longer than a typical spring, I feel like summer is springing on me this year.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the cooler temperatures and have enjoyed the spring season.

My list of summer activities is started. Writing down all the items we really want to do helps as I plan each week.

If I don’t plan, then I end up with a long list at the end of the summer of activities we missed. If you are planning your summer, consider these summer activities. I will highlight at least one each week. Enjoy!

AMF Summer Unplugged

Ready to have a {bowling} ball this summer? Allow AMF to provide your children 2 free bowling games each day, every day, all summer long through AMF Summer Unplugged.

This program is free for children ages 15 and younger and available from Monday, May 13 through Monday, September 2, 2013. The games are free, but shoe rental is not included.

AMF Summer Unplugged for Children

To get the free games, you must register each of your children. You will need to start a new registration for 2013. Even if you have been an AMF Summer Unplugged member in the past, you will sign up as a new user for 2013.

CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS: Without any vouchers or weekly e-mails, the center for which you signup will receive notification of your enrollment. You just need to check in as a Summer Unplugged member. This change is great as there are no coupons or vouchers to print this year. You just signup and go bowl.

AMF Summer Unplugged

Photograph Credit: AMF

AMF Summer Pass for Parents

If you want to join your children, then consider purchasing the AMF Summer Pass for $34.95, which allows 4 family members ages 16 and up to bowl 2 free games each day all summer long. Again, shoe rental is not included.

Though our family did not make it to the bowling alley in 2010, 2011, or 2012, I still signed up my kids. Paul and I purchased bowling shoes and the AMF Summer Pass in 2010, but we never made it to the alley. So, I bypassed the AMF Summer Pass in 2011 and 2012.

With the AMF Summer Pass available all summer, I can (and will) wait until we plan to bowl before purchasing the pass. One of these years, we will make it to the alley. When the time comes, we will be prepared.

In using time wisely and looking forward to summer plans, register your children for AMF Summer Unplugged. You have nothing to lose, so sign-up in case it becomes too hot or too wet for outside fun. Happy summer planning!

Question: How often does your family go bowling?

2012: My Top 5 On-the-Go Fall Family Activities

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My Top 5 On-the-Go Fall Family Activities

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Anthony Easton)

With Halloween and Thanksgiving coming, the local fall activities are increasing in our area.

I love the many options to go out with our family to enjoy the fall season. From trips to the playground to attending a soccer game, we enjoy the outdoor activities during the autumn season.

With so many choices, I chose these adventures as my top 5 on-the-go fall family activities:

My Top 5 On-the-Go Fall Family Activities

#5 – Romping through a corn maze

Before Paul and I had children, we visited a corn maze each year. We loved the 1-2 hour adventure through the maze finding our way out.

With younger children, we limit the corn maze to the smaller options at the apple farm. If you have upper elementary-age or older children, then they may enjoy an adventure through a local corn maze. I have seen a few daily deals for corn mazes, so check to see what’s available in your area.

#4 – Roasting marshmallows around a bonfire with friends

My husband and children love making s’mores. Preferring my chocolate separate from the graham cracker and the marshmallow, I like toasting my marshmallows and eating them plain.

Hanging out with friends around a warm bonfire on a brisk autumn evening mesmerizes me with the crackling wood and reddish-yellow flares. Ah, the wonderful sights and smells of fall!

#3 – Watching the live performances at our Fall Festival

Even though I am working at our fall festival, I love to watch the live performances with my children. Occurring in the center of the KidZone, the live performance continue throughout the event. I get to watch with my children while staying available should a problem arise. I love mixing my responsibilities with family fun at our event.

To find local festivals, check Craig’s List for activities and events under the community category.  Continue visiting that site to find new or updated information on community events as Craig’s List is updated regularly.

#2 – Taking a hayride

Sitting on the hay and riding through the woods with the putting sound of the tractor over the uneven trail rings in the fall season. Enjoying two thus far this fall, I always look forward to an adventure on a hayride.

#1 – Visiting the pumpkin patch at the Apple Farm

The #1 pick for my top 5 on-the-go fall family activities is our annual visit to the apple farm. Besides getting a bag or two of apples, we pick our pumpkins, take a hayride, romp through the corn mazes, snap pictures, visit the animals, eat a picnic lunch, bounce on the tire jumps, solve our scavenger hunt, and mine gems. Visiting the apple farm is the highlight of our fall.

In planning your fall activities, you might attend a sporting event, schedule family portraits, visit a local park, or choose one of my top 5 on-the-go fall family activities. However you choose to spend your fall season enjoy those close to you while using time wisely. In two weeks, I’ll share my top 5 without-leaving-home fall family activities. Happy planning!

Question: What are your top 5 fall family activities?

Spring Break: Daily Activities

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Jessica Merz)

Are you anticipating spring break? We did! My son’s school has an earlier spring break than most schools in our area. Having the run of places while other children were in school was SO nice! As you prepare for your extra time with your school-age children, I will share how we spent our spring break without breaking the bank on the activities.

Monday: We ran errands all day, but I worked in fun stops along the way. For example: I spaced out the two grocery store trips. We visited one in the morning around 10:00 a.m. which is snack time. The free cookie program took care of the morning snack which is a very nice free option. The second grocery store was visited as the last stop on the way home. We also snagged a free cookie for the kids which held them over until dinner.

We ran our first batch of errands at stores close to home. We then made a stop at home for lunch and to unload before heading out for the afternoon session. In addition to grocery shopping, I had 3 errands to accomplish at a local mall. After lunch, we went to the mall. After accomplishing our errands, I allowed the kids to play at the Kidgits Area, which is an in-door playground. They were climbing, sliding, crawling, and playing for over an hour. They had a great time, and I was able to accomplish a long list of errands.

Tuesday: With the errands completed, we spent the morning at our local library. I was hoping to catch our usual story time class, but the library took their spring break that same week. Though we did not have an official story time with songs and stories, the kids returned their books, chose new ones, and played in the kids area with the puzzles, toys, and computers. After our library visit, we went home for lunch and a restful afternoon.

Wednesday: I scheduled a play date at our house. Our neighbors came down to play for the morning. My kids enjoyed having other children come play with their toys in their house. I enjoyed the visit with my neighbor as our kids played well together. We then rested in the afternoon before heading to church for Kids 4 Truth.

Thursday: We played at home for the morning and allowed the baby to get her morning nap. After an early lunch, we headed for our local Bounce House with inflatables on which the kids jump. We had saved some passes that were given to us, and I brought snacks for them. This all-afternoon activity was a highlight for the week. With their energy exhausted, my kids slept really well that night. 🙂

Friday: After adjusting our schedule due to the baby’s long morning nap, we met up with our friends for the afternoon at the zoo. With our Family Plus Zoo Membership, our family and guests were granted free admission into the zoo. All seven kids enjoyed looking, laughing, and playing together while watching all the animals. At the conclusion of our visit, the kids enjoyed playing on the playground together. This activity was by far THE highlight of our spring break.

With a little advanced planning, I was able to schedule at least one special activity each day. Since all these activities were free, except the cost of gas, we were able to enjoy an activity-slammed week without breaking the bank.

What special activities did you or are you planning to do during spring break? I hope you have a great time with your family as you enjoy each other!

My Top 5 Preschool Board Games

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My husband and I were raised by families who loved to play games. My family’s game nights included our immediate family. We had our favorite games, but we did not seek to invite others. Our family spent the time playing together.

On the other hand, my husband’s family hosted games nights at their home regularly. In fact, I attended a number of game nights at my in-laws’ house before and after our marriage. Holiday celebrations evolve around game playing at their home. So, our kids have learned to appreciate and enjoy games.

Since our children are young, we play preschool games since they do not require reading. At this time, my top 5 preschool games are:

5.            Chutes and Ladders
4.            CandyLand
3.            Parcheesi
2.            The Lady Bug Game
1.            SORRY!

During sessions of play, my son has learned to count, take turns, consider his options, and recently, strategize. Game playing is a tool to teach while giving that child individual attention. My daughter is learning to take turns and to finish the game she started.

Do you enjoy spending time playing games at your house? What are your favorite preschool games? I’m always interested in new, fun games to play.