Nothing beats a three-day weekend! Okay well maybe a few things, but whenever Memorial Day comes around it feels like I have won the lottery. Although we spend the day remembering those we have lost and those who have sacrificed for us, we also spend the day celebrating life and family. With times being leaner, we stopped heading out-of-town for the weekend and turned our focus to having fun at home. In case you don’t have plans yet, here are a few ideas for your weekend that won’t cost a lot.
Here are 8 family fun ideas for this Memorial Day weekend:
Sunrise, Sunset– Start your day watching the sunrise. Grab a blanket and head out with the whole family. As the sun rises, spend the moment thinking about all that there is to be grateful for. Then wrap the day coming together again to watch the sunset, serving as a reminder that we are all part of a bigger world…it’s all perspective.
Shop your closet– Let’s be honest…Memorial Day is synonymous with great sales. But if you are like me, it is dangerous to step into the stores because I always walk out with a few more bags than I planned on. So this year instead of buying all the things you don’t really need…shop your closet! Take out some of those outfits that have been shoved to the back of the closet and rediscover the cute lost shoes and purses that you totally forgot you had.
Show gratitude– Write a letter to our troops or create a care package. This idea is great way for adults to teach children how to show their gratitude for those who serve our country. A heartfelt letter and a stamp is all it will cost, yet the memory and lesson will last a lifetime.
Do something different– Tap into your creative side and either learn something new or do something different. For instance, this past week I learned to how to can for the first time with my family. Not only did we create incredible memories…we also made delicious salsa and jams! Not feeling that creative? Then do something different – pack up the kids and head fishing. The point is to do something a little out of the ordinary. Something memorable.
Backyard picnic– Getting a spot at a local park can be difficult this coming weekend, but that doesn’t have to ruin the fun. Instead, take out the picnic blankets and set it up in your backyard. If you have kids, pull out the tent and give them their own place to getaway.
Make homemade ice cream– This activity is great for kids that have a lot of energy! You don’t need a fancy machine. In fact, you can pull it off with some empty coffee cans and some duct tape. Don’t have that? Then Ziploc baggies will work too! I prefer the cans. It allows the kids to kick it around and really get involved. The pride they feel at the end when everyone is indulging is priceless. Here are a few links to showing you how to make ice cream with coffee cans and Ziploc baggies. These are my favorite ways! However, Wiki also has a few methods I haven’t tried in case you are feeling adventurous. Enjoy!
Old school fun– You don’t have to have a pool to have fun! You can pick up an inexpensive lawn sprinkler almost anywhere nowadays. Go old school and set it out in the middle of the lawn and let the kids run around or play tag. Add a few water balloons and you will be the coolest parent ever. Just be prepared to get wet and be sure to laugh your way through it. Remind the kids that you, too, can be fun!
Go local– This is festival season people! The weather is great and most cities have lots of free stuff happening. Whether it is an early morning farmer’s market, an art and wine festival or a school parade, there is ALWAYS something going on. Take a look at your local town websites and the community bulletin boards. It’s a great way to participate in the community and have fun. Added bonus…someone else is doing the cooking and the cleanup!
Hope this helps you to start planning your weekend early. Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend!