Summer is officially over, but that doesn’t mean that we have to keep the kids inside all day! Here in NJ, we’ve been getting unseasonably warm weather and I’m loving it!
It’s still nice enough to get the kids outside for fresh air and exercise, so I’m taking advantage of it.
I love to plan family fun days where we can all disconnect from our screens and devices and just spend quality time together. A perfect family fun day can involve any kind of game or adventure.
Here are some great ideas for a family fun day that both kids and adults will love!
The VTech® KidiGo® NexTag™ is a high-tech way for kids to play high-energy outdoor games like tag and hide and seek. However, the VTech® KidiGo® NexTag™ is WAY more than just tag—it’s a combination of 20 different backyard games including capture the flag and freeze tag.
There’s no internet needed to play—all you need are the four included electronic units and their adjustable arm bands! A friendly voice explains the quick and easy-to-learn rules so kids can start playing fast.
There’s no referee required either—the game lets you know who’s it and who won. There’s one- and two-player games or the WHOLE family can get in on the fun.
You can also play indoors or outside with a 120-foot range between units. All you have to do is press the big button and tag, you’re it!
How it works:
Have each player select their color preference from red, green, blue, or orange, and then strap the unit on their arm and power it on. There will be a voice prompting everyone to select the game that they want to play and choose the number of players. There are multiple types of tag games to choose from and the unit tells you how many players you need.
The red unit is the main one and it allows the player wearing it to select the game. I like that for each game, it actually reads the directions to the kids before they play.
Have the kids spread out and play! For each game, “tag” works by tapping the other player’s button on their arm band. This way there is no disputing if you were tagged or not.
The VTech® KidiGo® NexTag™ is a great way to bring everyone together for some good old-fashioned energetic playtime! My whole family loved trying out all the different games and the best part is that the kids can even wear themselves out by playing the 1 or 2-person games, like Simon Says!
VTech® always comes up with new and exciting ways to teach kids productive skills and this is no exception.
Make a gratitude jar
A gratitude jar is a fun way to create a visual reminder of all the great things in our lives. Essentially, it is a place to record and store everything you're thankful for.
Sit down as a family and recall the things in your day or week that were most impactful for you; things that you appreciate in your life. Whether it's a person, a kind act, or a positive detail that you remember, write it down on a slip of paper and stick it in a gratitude jar.
You can decorate this jar in any manner and then go through the slips of paper at the end of the year. As you read through your gratitude jar together, you’ll be made aware of all the positives in your life.
Play a board game
This is one of the most classic family fun nights. Find a good board game that the whole family will enjoy and have some good, old-fashioned fun. A little competition can be a great way to bring the family together for a night of laughs and challenges.
Build a fort
Younger kids will certainly love this idea. Build a fort with couch cushions, blankets, chairs, or any furniture and home decor items you can find. Spend some time there reading, talking, or telling jokes. Bring a flashlight and tell spooky stories or deck it out with string lights and glow in the dark items to make it even more fun.
Have a scavenger hunt
Hide items around the house or outside and give the kids clues to find them. My kids absolutely love scavenger hunts and ask us to plan one almost every weekend! You can use themed items around the holidays or based on the season, or anything relevant to things they may be learning or loving at the moment. You can also make the scavenger hunt about finding things at the park, in the neighborhood, or at the mall. Get creative with your clues and hiding spots!
Stargaze
If your kids don’t already know much about outer space, teach them about it as you stare up at the night’s sky. Together, you can look and find certain stars, constellations, moons, and planets. If you have a telescope, that would make this activity even more fun, but simply laying on a blanket in the yard while stargazing can be a great activity for the whole family.
Bake together
Depending on the age of your kids, cooking can be a bit messy. However, sometimes you just need to embrace the chaos and dive headfirst and let your kids take the lead. Maybe you could cook up one of grandma’s favorite old recipes or a new one that catches your eye on Pinterest. Your kids will love getting in the kitchen and making something delicious with you.
Play freeze dance
Freeze dance is a fun, silly game that everyone can play. Pick a favorite song and turn the music on and off while everyone dances. The person who keeps dancing after the music stops is eliminated.
Watch the sunset or sunrise
One of nature’s most beautiful things is the sun rising and setting each day. It’s a constant that we are all lucky to witness. Head to a local spot that has the best view of a sunrise or sunset with your family. If you’re near a beach, mountain, valley, large body of water, or even a large field, those tend to be the best places to witness the natural beauty. Pack a picnic and your VTech® KidiGo® NexTag™ to make a day out of it!
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With the daily run around of school, sports, and play dates, it’s so important to plan a family fun day every once in a while. Gather the whole family for some of these fun activities that both children and adults will enjoy.
You can even pack the VTech® KidiGo® NexTag™ on any day trip or simply play it at home and get ready for fun and excitement all around!
Marissa LaBuz is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom and full-time blogger who loves sharing her advice and experience with the world. She runs two blogs, Just Simply Mom and Teaching Littles, and an Etsy Shop, all while starting tickle wars and dance parties with three little ones. When she doesn't have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music.