A kindness rock, sometimes called a kindness stone, is simply a rock that someone has taken and decorated with an inspirational message.

Have you ever stumbled upon a colorful rock that has been painted in bright colors or has an uplifting message written on it? You may have just found a kindness rock! Rock painting is a trend that has picked up popularity in recent years. Whether you’re an artist who is looking for a new way to be creative or someone who wants to share a positive message with others, painting rocks might be for you. 

What are Kindness Rocks?

You might be asking yourself, what the heck is a kindness rock anyway? A kindness rock, sometimes called a kindness stone, is simply a rock that someone has taken and decorated with an inspirational message. They can be any size or shape, as big or small as you like! The point of these cute stones is to sprinkle positivity around your community. Once you paint a rock, the idea is to leave it somewhere for another person to find and enjoy. As we all know, sometimes a simple message of kindness can spark joy and brighten someone’s entire day. 

Who Started the Painted Rocks Trend? 

Looking through social media, it seems like there are so many people who are painting rocks now! But where did this all start? The woman behind this movement is Megan Murphy of Massachusetts. Megan used to take walks around her local beach, and she loved looking down at beautifully shaped stones, shells, and sea glass.

One day on one of her walks, she had a thought: why not create something intentional for someone else to find that could also brighten their day? With this thought, The Kindness Rocks Project began! Megan started painting rocks herself and leaving them at her local beach in Cape Cod. It made her happy to think that she could spread happiness in such a simple way. That simple idea has become a global movement. 

Now that you understand how and why this trend has become so popular, you may want to start painting yourself. It is an excellent activity for rainy day fun, team building, community engagement, and more. 

Before you get to painting, here are a few common questions that you may have.

 

What Materials Do You Need To Paint Rocks? 

Here’s the list of things you’ll need:

• Smooth rocks
• Acrylic paint
• Sponge brushes
• Acrylic paint pens
• Sealer

Inspire Kindness and The Kindness Rocks have made gathering rocking painting materials easy! You can also check out InspireKindness.com for kit suggestions.

 

How Do You Make a Kindness Rock?

Learn how to paint rocks; it’s easy! 

1. Find your desired rock. Clean it with soap and water. 

2. Once the rock is dry, paint the top with a base coat of paint—pick any color you like. 

3. When the base coat is dry, add a fun design, or write a positive note like, “Be the Change” on each one. 

4. Allow the design to dry completely, and then seal the rock to protect your design.

5. Spread kindness by leaving the rock in a place for someone else to find. 

If you make a mistake, paint over the whole rock and begin again! That’s the beauty of working on such a small canvas. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to paint a rock. The point is to spread kindness and to have fun while doing it! 

Quick Tip: If you don’t have paint or don’t have the time to do a base coat, feel free to write a positive message directly on the rock itself! 

Where Do You Get The Rocks?

Well, you can get them just about anywhere! A hardware or craft store in your area most likely sells rocks of many shapes and sizes. Some local landscaping businesses may also offer them for sale, and this is especially good if you are looking for larger sizes. Avoid buying stones that have a waxy film as they will be harder to decorate. 

Or, just go outside and find some. From picking up pebbles on the beach to stones in your local park, any rock can make an excellent kindness rock. Choose the type of rock that you think will fit your designs best and don’t take all the rocks out of one area. We want to be kind to our environment, too. 

What Kinds of Paint Do You Use for Kindness Rocks?  

We recommend using acrylic paint for both the base coat and your design. For more intricate, hand-painted designs, we suggest that you use paint pens to draw on top of your base coat. With paint pens, you can be a bit more accurate when you are writing on or adding details. 

Quick Tip: Make sure the paint you get is multi-surface and works outdoors. 

How Do You Seal the Rocks? 

Your creations need to be sealed to preserve the paint and the beautiful designs you worked so hard on. Mod Podge or a spray-on sealer will work just fine—just make sure it’s a waterproof sealer. Our favorite sealant is Deco Art Multi-Purpose Seal. You can find this and other types of sealers at your local craft store, and also in our Inspire Kindness rock painting kit on InspireKindness.com.

Where Do You Hide a Painted Rock?

Once you’ve painted, it’s time to hide the rocks for others to find! Now, use the term ‘hide’ loosely; you want someone to actually find the rock. Think of somewhere that gets a lot of foot traffic where someone may notice it. A local park, a bench in town, or outside of a community center are all excellent options.

You can also be more intentional about where you place the rock if you want to be sure that someone will find it. Leave one in the common area of your office building, place one by the bathroom sink at school, or on a teacher’s desk. They don’t even have to be hidden at all. You can keep them on your desk or dresser for inspiration. Give them as a gift, or hand a rock off to someone that you think could use words of encouragement. 

Be considerate when looking for places to put the rocks. Don’t leave them at a private residence or business where you don’t have permission. National parks are also a no-go as most have a “leave no trace” policy. The purpose of creation is to be kind, so let’s be respectful of our environment. 

What Do You Do When You Find a Kindness Rock?

You’ve found a kindness rock. Now what? Do you take it? First, read it! Take the message to heart, and know that you matter and your happiness matters. Someone else went out of their way to paint that rock for you to find. How cool that you’re the one who found it! 

Then, if you want to, share the love. The Kindness Rocks Project has gained popularity on social media, so share your photos for others to see. Check to see if there may be a local Rock Group in your area, and consider joining. The group can get together to paint and place them around town. Write the name of your group on the back of your rock so people can search for it when they find the rock.

Lastly, pay it forward! Once you’ve read and enjoyed the message, you can either hide the rock somewhere new for another person to find or if it meant a lot to you, keep it. All we ask is that if you keep the rock for yourself, that you paint another rock for someone else to find. Think of what the message meant to you. Make sure you help somebody else get that unique feeling too. 

What is a Kindness Rock Garden?

People have found that placing a group of kindness rocks together to form a garden can make a wonderful impact on a community. Pick a spot that has plenty of people coming and going. Think about parks, libraries, schools, and public grassy areas near stores and restaurants. Then, leave a group of rocks and a sign that explains the rock garden. The sign should tell people that they can take a rock, leave a rock, or simply read the kind messages, smile, and continue on with their day. These positive phrases are sure to make so many peoples’ days. Check out examples of rock gardens.

Rock Painting Sayings and Quotes List

Not sure what to write on your kindness rock? Here are some ideas to get you started!

You matter 

Have a nice day

Trust the process

Kindness rocks

Be kind

You are loved

Not all who wander are lost

Chase your dreams

Be the change

The world needs you

Here comes the sun

Kindness wins

You are not alone

Inspire Kindness

Be Happy

Don’t give up

Have hope

Intention over attention

Inspire others

Today is a gift

You’re beautiful

You can do it

Spring into action

Be a rainbow in someone else’s day

Love Yourself

Kindness matters

Easy Rock Painting Ideas

We recommend starting with more simple designs and try to work up to more advanced illustrations if you would like, but you can design the rock however you want! Designs do not have to be intricate. Paint simple things like smiley faces, hearts, flowers, and polka dots. Or just focus on your message and leave a little inspiration on the rock. 

Need design inspiration? Here’s some help: 

The Kindness Rocks Project Instagram

Inspire Kindness Rock Painting Pinterest Board

Now that you know everything you need to know about kindness rocks, you’re ready to get started! You have the power to make someone’s day with the kind messages you write. Start the trend of rock-painting in your community, and watch the ripple effect you create. Thank you for helping us inspire kindness. 

There is a special kind of potential in a road trip:

The freedom of hitting the open road, being able to slow your travel, and having the flexibility to do what you want, when you want. While much of our travels in this modern world are simply about getting from point a to point b, a road trip is about stopping and smelling the roses. Bringing children on a road trip shouldn’t detract from the fun, but instead add to it. Here are a few tips for planning a great road trip for everyone in the family.

Plan as a Family

The best way to get your family excited about the trip is to enlist the entire family in the planning of the trip. Roadtripper is an amazing (free!) app that can help you chart a course AND find great attractions along the way. Simply enter your destination and the app will calculate trip time and mileage (and even approximate gas cost!). Next, view a map of your route and discover attractions, restaurants, outdoor recreation spots, and more along the way. Let each member of your family select at least one attraction that they want to see. This will help to keep them excited and engaged in the trip.

Factor in LOTS of Stops Along the Way

Don’t forget to slow it down. Actions like getting out the door in the morning, eating lunch, stopping for the bathroom (…and how many stops you may need to make for the bathroom…) could be quick stops or they could take forever. Your attitude toward these breaks is one of the best determiners of the success of your trip. Go with the flow and leave plenty of time for adventures.

Leave the Interstate

Yes, the typical fast food restaurants are conveniently located just off of most freeway exits, but driving even a few miles into the center of a town can open your eyes. Maybe you’ll see a 30-foot-tall Apatosaurus, an entire house constructed from beer cans, or even a giant gorilla holding a VW Bug (yep, these are all real roadside attractions). Leaving the interstate will also open your eyes to regional cuisine. Great food is a staple to any good road trip. Speaking of food, when you do stop at convenience stores and gas stations, check out the candy aisles. You just may find a new favorite.

Don’t Forget the Entertainment

Technology can be a huge help on any road trip! The ability to play movies, stream cartoons, and play handheld video games can keep the peace and help the miles to fly by. But don’t simply count on screens to entertain your family. Take a turn in the backseat. As you sit with your kiddos it’s a great time to go back to staple road trip games:

• The Alphabet Game– An oldie, but goodie! It can be played individually or as a team. The goal is to find all 26 letters of the alphabet (or something that begins with that letter) on things that you see outside your vehicle as you are riding, in order, from A to Z.  

 

•  I-Spy– The classic game of “spying something with your little eye” is played similar to 20 questions (which by the way, is another great road-trip game!)  Someone starts by choosing an object, and gives a hint describing it. The other players then take turns guessing until they get it correct. For older family members, you can choose an object outside the car and the others have to think quick.

 

• The License Plate Game– This game can extend over the entire trip. It involves trying to find a license plate from each of the 50 states. A good way to keep track of what plates you have seen is by printing out a map and cross off each state as you spot them. 

 

• Pass the Story- The fun(ny) group story-telling game in which one person starts a story, with just a sentence or two, then stops, even mid-sentence.  The next person picks up and keeps adding to the story. The stories usually end up with a good laugh.

Wherever your road trip plans take your family, don’t forget: The joy is in the journey.

Other articles that may interest you on Family Travel

• Road Trip! Ten Tips for a Happy Backseat 

 

• 9 Travel Tips for Families

 

• Ten Tips For Traveling With a Baby

Most families feel squeezed by work, school, planned activities, sports practice, and home upkeep. We don’t need fancy research to tell us that getting away from all the hustle and bustle for a few hours is refreshing to the mind, body, and soul. But studies do show nature has many benefits like decreased stress, increased mental energy and creativity, and overall, improved mental health. You may wonder how to fit one more thing in your family’s full schedule. However, if you are prepared, even a couple of hours that might have been spent binge watching a show or cleaning out a closet can turn into a family adventure.

Nature has healing properties. Leaving the stress of work, homework, and a dishwasher that constantly wants to be loaded, frees your brain to relax.  Make time and soak up some fresh air. Taking into account the ages and preferences of your family members, make a short list of places you could go to get outside and enjoy creation. If you have toddlers and preschoolers, where is the closest walking trail with a paved path, shade, and perhaps a water feature? Elementary kids, how about a place you can safely bike and end up at a large playground or ball field? Middle and high schoolers might be attracted to a more strenuous hike that could wind you around to a fun outdoor eatery. 

I don’t know about your family, but in ours, often the most difficult part of the journey is the first step. Getting out the door with all the people and all the equipment seems to take forever. I remember having toddlers and thinking that no one would ever be able to put on their own shoes. Now with teenagers, I often wonder if everyone can just find their shoes! At a family dinner, come up with a plan for where your next family adventure will take place. Decide how long you need to make it happen and what you need to take with you. Will you be riding bikes or scooters and need helmets and the bike rack? Will you stay for a meal and need a picnic blanket, snacks, and a cooler? Most adventures would do well to have a hat, water bottle, and sunscreen for all participants. Can you make a list or have these things in a bag at the ready?

To schedule or not to schedule? That is the question. Again, you know your family best. If you have young ones, just look for an empty spot on the calendar and block it off for “Nature Time.” If your kids make their own plans, you may have to request an uninterrupted time a few weeks out. Mark the time off with their approval, then you can send them text reminders. If it would be more fun, invite some friends to join you. Of course you can just enjoy the outdoors, but if you have family members who want to know the purpose of the trip or who are easily bored, you have options. Planning a scavenger hunt (photos of items work just as well as collecting the items) can be a great way to engage everyone and encourage sibling camaraderie. If you decide to bring phones along, you can have a photography contest of the most interesting find. If your children are younger, come up with a game you can play on your walk or ride. Finding something they see for each letter of the alphabet  is a fun way to help them notice what is around them. You can also do a colors-of-the-rainbow contest to see how many different colors people can notice or photograph. As long as you are breathing in fresh air and enjoying your time together, you have accomplished much. 

 

A quintessential part of childhood is a day playing at the park. I remember many an afternoon playing at the playground near my grandmother’s house. We would pack a lunch and walk the three blocks to the neighborhood park. I played on the monkey bars until my hands would blister and my grandma would have to coax me off. Even now, so many years later, I can clearly envision my grandma giggling as she went down the slide with me. Creating these same beautiful memories with your child are within your grasp. Here are some tips for creating a beautiful day at the park with your child.

Make It Special

I live near my children’s elementary school. They play at their school playground daily. On the weekends, we often venture back to those same swings and jungle gym out of proximal convenience. When we plan a day at the park, though, I make a point of trying a park that is unfamiliar to them. We pack the car or bicycle buggy, and explore new territory. In planning a special day at the park, choose a location that is not overly familiar for your family. Check your city’s website for ideas of great parks in your area.

Pack Smart

There are many things that you will need to make the day a success. It is vital that you pack a bag with all of your essentials. Here are a few things to consider when you pack for your outing:

• Food Occasionally a park will have concessions, but most often you will want to pack your own food and drinks. Decide if you would like to plan for a picnic-style meal or if a few snacks will do the trick. Somehow an hour of playing outside makes my children hungrier than lumberjacks. I try to pack a treat or two, but I also plan a protein packed snack, like trail mix.

 

• Drinks A water bottle goes a LONG way with my kiddos. We often need a drinking fountain for refills too.

 

• Sunscreen and Sun Visors/Hats Nothing makes for a crummier day than going home with a sunburn.

 

• Band-Aids and Antiseptic Spray Bumps and bruises are an inevitable part of a day outside. Being prepared makes them less of an issue.

 

• Wet Wipes These are a must-have anytime I go somewhere with my children. They are the MacGyver of items; they can do almost anything.

 

Enjoy the Day

You have planned, packed, and you’re ready. Now it’s time for the most important part of any day trip: Enjoy the day! It is easy to get to the park and let your children entertain themselves, but to make this a memorable day, you must be present and engaged. Be intentional with your time. Put away your phone, keep the book in your bag for another time, and play—truly play—with your child. Swing on the swings. Go on a walk to look for bugs. Play a few games of tag or hide-and-seek. Or, like my grandmother, zoom down the slide. You see, the thing that is most important about your day with your child isn’t a thing at all; it’s you, being present and engaged.

Now it’s your turn: Go plan, pack, and play!

 

A visit to an aquarium is a perfect family day trip. Aquariums offer children a chance to experience and learn about sea creatures in a hands-on, fun way, and the colorful marine life and exhibits will delight and engage family members of all ages. Here are some tips for making the most of your day at the aquarium.

Do Your Research

As you begin planning your trip, check out the aquarium’s website. Browsing the website with your child is a great way to stimulate curiosity. Many aquarium sites have webcams that offer previews of exhibits and marine life. You can also check out maps, feeding hours, and other scheduled events. Some sites even post crafts and games, which will help children get excited about the trip. The website is also a good place to find other helpful information, such as where to park, food that’s available on-site, and opportunities to buy tickets in advance so you can avoid waiting in a long line. 

Before You Go

Enter the aquarium prepared! Talk with your family about which exhibits are must-see. Make a plan according to your family’s interests. Go ahead and pack snacks for munching in designated eating areas. Having a scavenger hunt or a journal for older kids is a great way of keeping them engaged throughout the day. If your child is young enough to tire easily, by all means bring a stroller. You can also check the website or call ahead to see if the facility rents strollers or provides areas to park yours.

Enjoying the Day

Your bag is packed, you have your list of must-sees…now what? When you arrive, take advantage of learning behind-the-scenes information by talking with the staff. Staff members are often well-trained and incredibly knowledgeable. Labels or graphics generally describe exhibits, but talking to an expert will help children better understand the animals, their habitats, and the messages of conservation. As you explore throughout the day, try to switch things up by using snacks, lunch, and a romp on the playground (if available) to break up the learning and observing times. Don’t forget the “touch me” displays. Your child is sure to enjoy holding a sea star, feeling a sea cucumber, or touching the back of a crab. 

Bring the Fun Home

It is best to decide your souvenir policy before your trip. Will this be a time when a collection of photos is the memento of the day, or are you okay with bringing home a gaggle of stuffed sea creatures? If you plan on purchases, will you be footing the bill, or will your child be bringing his piggy bank? In most aquariums, all roads lead to the gift shop. To avoid a meltdown, stick with the rule: If you’re not going to buy, don’t browse. One budget-friendly idea would be to create a small photo book of the pictures taken while on your trip. You could even upload photos to your local photo store as you leave the aquarium. While custom books take time to print, you could pick up your photos on your way home and simply slide them into an inexpensive photobook. Voila! A quick and easy keepsake of your adventure.

A trip to an aquarium is an engaging and educational way to spend a day. Time spent together–plus newfound knowledge about sea animals and their habitats–is sure to make this a fun day trip for your family.

 

A day at the zoo is the perfect summer activity. Family members of all ages are sure to smile and laugh as they watch the antics of animals of all sizes. A little bit of planning goes a long way to ensure that this day is a fun success. Here are some tips to make this a day trip to remember.

Make a Plan

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums boasts 236 high-quality animal exhibitions in North America. The The AZA website is a great place to start planning your trip. Once you have chosen which zoo you will attend, check out a map. Chances are, even if you plan for a full day at the zoo, you will not have a chance to see everything that the zoo has to offer. Setting priorities for which exhibits are most important is a great way to ensure that everyone in your family is able to see their personal favorites. Don’t forget features such as the petting zoo, play equipment, learning labs, and other fun spots as you plan your time. Consider your child’s stamina and attention span as you create your plan of attack. 

Come Prepared

It is always best to go to the zoo prepared! As you put together a manageable-sized pack for the day (backpacks are great) consider adding: sunscreen, baby wipes (they always come in handy), hand sanitizer, hats, a change of clothes (if you have little ones in tow), and your phone or camera for great photos. Depending upon the ages of your children, you might want to consider bringing along a stroller or wagon. They not only provide a resting place for tired feet, but also a place to store your bag while trekking through the zoo. There are often concessions available throughout the zoo, but packing plenty of water, snacks, and a lunch is a great way of staying on-budget. Who doesn’t enjoy a midday picnic?

Tailor the Experience

Consider your child’s interests and age as you plan for your trip. Children and adults often enjoy participating in zoo scavenger hunts (many zoos have these available at the admissions office or online). Older children may enjoy researching favorite animals prior to your trip and adding to their research throughout the day. You can prepare younger children for your trip by reading books that feature the zoo. A few great options are:

Goodnight, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman

If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss

Put Me In the Zoo  by Robert Lopshire

ZOO-OLOGY by Joelle Jolivet

Neck and Neck by Elise Parsley

ZooZical by Judy Sierra and Marc Brown

Midnight at the Zoo by Faye Hanson 

Know Your Family’s Limits

As a parent, your goal is for everyone to have the energy and patience to talk about their zoo experience on the way home. This means that you might have a plan to stay at the zoo from sun-up until sundown, but shortly after lunch you realize that everyone is fading fast. Let your children’s energy level and behavior guide you. 

The zoo is a terrific educational and fun activity to do with your whole family! These tips can help make your trip to the zoo an experience to remember.

 

Father’s Day is a chance for families to let the amazing men in our lives know how very loved and appreciated they are. For every kind of dad, there’s a perfect Father’s Day activity to enjoy and remember forever. Take the time to create a special day to celebrate the dads in your life.

Clear the Schedule

This Father’s Day, be intentional as you plan your time together. Choose a day–it doesn’t have to be on Father’s Day–and clear your family’s schedule. Make sure that everyone in your family can be together to make this day special.

What Does Dad Love?

Now that you have a day cleared on your calendar, it’s time to decide how to enjoy it. Ask for input from your family as you think about what Dad loves. Obviously he loves his family, but what else makes his eyes light up? Now think of how your family could spend the day enjoying what he enjoys. Here are a few ideas:

He loves:	You could spend the day:
Sports	●  Attending a Baseball Game ●  Golfing ●  Bowling
Nature	●  Hiking ●  Fishing ●  Visiting a Local State Park
Learning	●  Visiting a Museum ●  Visiting an Art Installation ●  Watching a War Reenactment
Water	●  At the Beach ●  At a Waterpark ●  At a Local Pool
Movies	●  Visiting Your Local Movie Theatre ● Enjoying a Movie Marathon at Home
Cars	●  At a Car Show ●  At the Racetracks
Food	●  At a Cooking Class ●  Touring His Favorite Restaurants
Wine, Beer, and/or Spirits	●  Visiting a Vineyard ●  At Local Breweries ●  Touring a Distillery
Play	●  At an Amusement Park ●  Playing at a Local Arcade ●  Playing in a Family Video Game Tournament

Capture the Memories

Once you have cleared your calendar and chosen an activity to enjoy with Dad, don’t forget to take pictures! Snapping photos throughout the day–both posed and spontaneous–will help the memories that you make live beyond the day. Creating a scrapbook, whether it’s digital or physical, can be a lasting tribute to a beautiful day and an amazing dad.

Showing Dad just how much you care about him is what Father’s Day is all about. The best gifts are the ones that leave him smiling long after the third Sunday in June. Show your dad that you love him by spending real, quality time doing what he loves. The memories will last a lifetime.

Summer is officially here but maybe you’re already out of ideas for cool things to do with the family! Here are five great ideas that might spark a fresh thought in your head and a wonderful day together.

What’s within an hour’s drive or two from your home that you haven’t seen yet? A little investigation might uncover really interesting opportunities you’ve overlooked. Check especially for opportunities for…

• Caving. Find a park that offers cave tours (I want one led by a guide, please), then pack your flashlights and a little bravery and take a walk in the dark. Here’s a bonus: it’s always cooler underground!
• Hiking. Find a destination that is new and interesting, like a waterfall, an overlook, or an historical site. Or find a park with a loop hike that will bring you back to your starting point.
• Canoeing. A day on the lake or on a river is lots of fun and canoeing, rowing, and tubing are great ways to enjoy the water. Find a reputable outfitter or park vendor with sturdy boats and life vests to borrow.
• Archeological dig. Somewhere near you there’s very likely a place where your local college is conducting a dig of some sort, for prehistoric artifacts or even for dinosaur bones. Do a little digging yourself online and see what’s in your area. You might be allowed to just watch or you might be allowed to dig in!
• Gold panning. If old bones and broken pottery don’t interest you, maybe hunting for gold, agates, or other pretty bits will. In many areas of the country, gold panning or scavenging for other minerals is offered a public or private parks and you can always go hunting for pretty rocks, beach glass, or shells on a beach or riverbank.
• Visit to a state or national park.

A trip to a museum.

Search out a new and interesting museum, including funky roadside ones. Be sure to look for…

• A history museum with strange photos, gizmos and other displays from your area’s past.
• A science museum, especially an interactive one that lets you fiddle with thing. Many colleges have a museum of some sort. Check out the schools in your area and see what they have.
• A children’s museum, of course! If you’ve been to the one in your own town countless times, find another one a short drive away and visit that one. These are always lots of fun.
• A zoo. The county zoological park is good for another visit – try walking it in reverse of your usual path this time and notice things you never saw before. You might also find wildlife parks, reptile havens and other zoo-type locations if you look for them.

A day at a fair or community event.

There’s nothing to do in your area? Nonsense. Find out when one of these events is happening nearby and mark your calendar to be sure to attend.

• A Renaissance fair. There are many of these round about, some bigger and fancier than others and some small and fun. My grandkids and I found a tiny medieval fair last year that offered kids sword fighting lessons!
• Your state or county fair. When was the last time you went to your local fair? Do it right this year and see the animals, the tractor displays, and the pie and cake contests. Visit the midway and ride the carousel.
• A fireworks display. If your own town’s Fourth of July fireworks is starting to feel routine, find another town’s  display this year. Or find a great lookout point, where you can watch displays from several towns flashing in the distance, spread out a blanket and watch fireworks from every direction.
• A community parade. If it’s been a while since you lined a parade route, you’re missing out on some hometown fun. See what’s going on in your area this summer and pick your parade.

Sporting event

You can be a spectator or even try your hand at being a participant. Choose a sport that’s different and fun. Here are some new possibilities…

• Highland games or lumberjack days. Whether you want to see burly folks tossing logs or trying to stay on a log on the water, a day of unusual tests of strength and agility might be lots of fun. You might even get to take a turn yourself!
• Sheep herding event. Find sheepdog trials in your area and watch amazing border collies and other dogs compete in putting sheep in their places. If you like dogs, look for other canine events too, like dog shows, obedience trials or agility matches.
• Frisbee match. If you’ve never seen an Ultimate game – something like soccer with a disc instead of a ball – then watching or playing Ultimate might be a great way to spend an afternoon. Take a disc of your own so you and kids can toss it during halftime.
• Miniature golf. Who doesn’t like putt-putt? When was the last time you took the kids to play? Find a miniature golf course and have a fun time moving the ball around. Even little kids understand miniature gold and they sometimes win!
• Fishing derby. Sometime this summer somewhere near you there will be a fishing derby especially for youngsters. Find out when it will be and take the kids for a fun time near the water.

Service Project

After all that, do you and your family still have a day or two free? If so, there’s an organization near you that would love your help. Look for things like…

• A planting day, when your park district or other agency pretties up a park. Find your gardening gloves and help out!
• Clean-up detail. When your park authority isn’t planting new plants, they’re pruning old ones and pulling weeds and invasive plants or cleaning up a beach or ravine. Check their calendar and see when you and your kids can help out.
• Playground building. New playgrounds don’t happen every day, so this might not be a possibility near you this year. But if a school or child care center or park district is organizing a new playground build, be on hand to lend a hand. It’s amazing to watch the structures go up and your children will love helping to build a place they will play.
• Volunteer day at the food bank. Food banks and other charities need your help not just at Thanksgiving but all year round. Call up an organization near you and see how you and your family can help.
• Yard work for a neighbor in need. Sometimes the best service of all is right there on your own block. If there’s an elderly or disabled person in your neighborhood who might like the windows washed, the lawn mowed or the flower beds tidied, go ahead and ask if they’d let you help out.

Still bored? I thought not! Have a great summer!

© 2014, Patricia Nan Anderson. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Ask for Dr. Anderson’s new book, Parenting: A Field Guide, at your favorite bookstore.

Is your family sticking close to home this summer? Plan a Family Stay-cation and have all the fun you could have in another town and spend a fraction of the cost, right in your own locale. Here are some tips and some suggestions for things to do.

Begin by blocking off a week (or two) for your stay-cation, just as you would if you were going to Disney World instead. Put this on your calendar, don’t accept competing appointments, and take the time off from work. This is a stay-cation, not just random things to do. Put yourself in the mood for fun by letting life go to vacation mode.

Then plan each day’s activities. Keep in mind that even at a theme park, you would eventually want a quieter day, so don’t commit to one “big” event after another. The best vacations have a rhythm of high-interest and lower stress activities.

Keep in mind the ages of your children and their stamina levels. Teens will feel the pull of their friends and may want to skip out of the family plan some days. Decide ahead of time how you will handle this: a reluctant, unhappy teen can smother the fun for everyone but so can worry about what your teen is doing on her own while you’re out with your other children. Consider bringing along your teen’s best friend, so your kid has someone to be with.

At the same time, remember that little kids need their naps. Plan your activities to have the best chance of making everyone happy.

Finally, feel free to skip the high-priced tourist destinations in your area in favor of low-cost or free destinations. Depending on the ages and interests of your children, choose from this list of ideas or be inspired to come up with your own.

Playground tour. Spend a day visiting four different playgrounds. What could be more fun? Be sure to take along a book, so you don’t get bored, but remember to “Look at me!”

Factory field trip. In my town, a bread bakery offers a tour of their factory. What businesses in your town do something similar? Reserve your family’s tour now, since these do fill up.

Backyard camping. Pitch a tent in the backyard, gather up the flashlights and sleeping bags and have a wonderful time. If you can start the evening with a campfire and toasted marshmallows, so much the better!

Farm visit. Many farm families supplement their incomes by offering barnyard tours during the summer. These can be a bit of an expense but less if you bring your own picnic. Find out what farms near you offer this.

Hard Hat Hangout. Scope out a local construction project with as much heavy equipment at work as possible and with a good view from a safe distance. This can create an exciting and memorable day for bulldozer-obsessed kids.

Recycle Action Day. This is pretty easy: get some small-size trash bags (quicker to fill and not so large that they trip children), some child-size work gloves, and get to a park or beach that needs a bit of a clean-up. If you’re concentrating on trash, you can make super long tweezers with strips of wood wrapped together at one end around a slice of cork (to create the hinged end). If you’re looking for recyclables, have separate bags for cans and plastics.

Room Re-do Day. This is great when outdoor plans are rained out. Pick a room – maybe the playroom or garage – clean it out, rearrange the furniture, and even paint the walls! You’ll need trash bags, paint, rollers and paint shirts. Great fun!

Library tour. This is another good rainy day activity. Visit four or more local library branches in your library system. Spend time in each children’s room, checking out the toys and puzzles. Bring along your card and check out good things to read or DVDs to watch later.

One more thing. Observe these basic rules as seems good to you:

• Pack your own snacks and lots of water.  Don’t depend on fast food, please!
• Bring something to sit on. A blanket or sheet is all you need.
• Be sure to carry sunscreen, a first aid kit and a cell phone.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Know the weather prospects for the day and be ready.
• Go home before everyone gets crabby.

Remember the fun starts before you leave the house. Make your departure unstressful, unhurried and pleasant. Vacations are fun and stay-cations even more so!

Have a wonderful summer!

 

© 2014, Patricia Nan Anderson. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Ask for Dr. Anderson’s new book, Parenting: A Field Guide, at your favorite bookstore.