The Bucket List of Memory Making with Her Family

10 Sep, 2012

I have so many memories of family events growing up. It included horseback riding, BBQ’s, walking in the washes of the Arizona desert, and dancing to the songs my Daddy, cousins, and friends would play on their guitars. Now that I live hundreds of miles from most of my family, I want to create some family memories my kids won’t forget.

A day at the air shows. This is me, my dad, and 3 of my 5 siblings!

Here is our bucket list, most of these things we have done, still love to do and can’t wait to do the rest.

1. Geo Caching

This is the ultimate in terms of scavenger hunts. It involves a GPS device or app that you can download to your phone or tablet. Geo caching is known world-wide and your kids will love it. You’ll spend the day locating a box full of trinkets in the great out doors. Some geo caching involves finding a landmark. Think of it has a virtual game of Where’s Waldo. Want to know more about Geo Caching in Nebraska, click here.

Geo Caching Info & Blog at roxannnys.pbworks.com

2. Watch homemade movies of you or your spouse as a kid.

My kids don’t know my side of the family very well. And the gift of video has given them the ability to get to know their aunts, uncles, and funny antics I pulled growing up.

3. Volunteer

Find a ministry at church or an agency in the community that needs a helping hand. It builds character and compassion. One Sunday a month, my husband, daughter and I teach Sunday School. Other great agencies in the community include Habitat for Humanity. There are jobs and projects for nearly every age.

4. Kitchen Time

What better way to get your family talking than by baking something? It just doesn’t have to be cookies, create the perfect family meal. And better yet, make some sort of friendly competition of who gets to clean up. Draw straws.

5. Table Time

Try to have at least one meal together each day as a family. Ask engaging questions like, “What was the least favorite part of your day.” Or “Name two things you are thankful for and why.” The rule of thumb at our table is they can’t be thankful for it more than once a week.

6. Play Hooky

Take the day off work and pull your kids from school or wait until your child has a school day off. This teaches your children that you are providing a life for them. It teaches that while working to the best of our ability is important, family is more important. Once a year, my husband plays “hooky” and we spend the day watching movies, putting together puzzles or fishing.

7. Take A Trip with ONE child

I used to struggle with tension in my relationship with my son. We then realized our children need one on one time with us and away from their siblings. We have mother–son dates and father–daughter dates. Not only does it help me figure out what is in their hearts, but it teaches them something about the dynamics of relationships. We are mindful that how we treat our children is likely how they will treat their spouses. The trick to this activity is to do something your child wants or likes to do. It may be just an outing for ice cream, but it gets them talking and sharing their hearts with you.

8. Create Family Treasure Boxes

Time capsules were SO the rage when you and I were growing up. Why not make a yearly box of family memories. Each child adds 3 to 5 items to the box of something of significance. It could be ticket stubs to a concert, photos of ice cream outings, a lure from a their fishing trip.

9. Visit Places Where You and Your Spouse Grew Up

My kids LOVED visiting our hometown of Newcastle, Wyoming. Wyoming has a different way of life compared to the roots of Kearney, Nebraska that my children are growing up with. Not only will it give your kids insight to your childhood, it gets them talking about theirs and about family. We took them to our old high school, where Daddy and Mommy used to live, where we had our first date and so much more.

10. Take a Staycation

We recently took a staycation, staying at the Holiday Inn in our hometown. The kids LOVED sleeping under a different roof, in a different bed, watching movies, eating popcorn and who’s going to complain about playing in the swimming pool?

11. Family Camp-IN

Besides camping under the stars on a crisp cool night, simplify! Camp out in your backyard OR in your family room. Grab some blankets, make a tent, grab your favorite snacks AND your mattress. We usually do a little mattress surfacing down the stairs during our camp-IN nights.

12. Mystery Party

With fall coming just around the corner, it means we are cooped up more. So why not hold a mystery party. For your Sherlock Holmes or Clue event, visit Dramatic Fanatic to get some great skits.

13. Science Experiments

Kids love these. In the past, we’ve blown up pop bottles, made geysers (again 2 liter pop bottle), volcano, and more. One of my go to sites for experiments is Science Kids.

14. Hammer Time

Jen found this idea for our Pinspriation piece. LOVE the idea and will be doing it with our little ones this weekend. What kid doesn’t like smashing things, especially boys. How To Make Rock Cotton Balls.

Now if you are looking for FUN FALL ACTIVITIES, Leslie put a big list together of events throughout the Midwest. Other family memory ideas include attending a football game, pumpkin patches, making apple cider and more.

Make a family bucket list

Have each of your family members write what they want to do. It can be as simple as a rainy day coloring competition to more exciting things like white water rafting. Keep these in a container. The next time you are planning a family day, grab the box and pull out some ideas.