Impromptu Weekend Family Outings

Family vacations can be both the best of times and the tensest of times – and that dichotomy is what often makes them so memorable. The one-on-one time and break from daily routine that recharges families on vacations can also be achieved through day outings throughout the course of the year.

Planning weekend family outings is a good way to bring everyone together after a long week and improve interaction and communication between family members. Here are some suggestions on how to make the most of your family time.

The first thing to consider is your mindset. Too often we do things on automatic pilot because we are preoccupied or because we are doing something out of habit. The easiest way to shake things up is to change the routine. Trying new places together, even something as simple as a new breakfast diner or driving to the next time to go to a different movie theatre, is a shared new experience that brings people together and fosters conversation.

Remember that pets can be the center of attention for a family outing. Go to a local dog park and let your pet interact with other dogs and chase balls to their heart’s content. If you live near a lake or ocean, find a dog friendly beach and let them explore.

During warm weather, a spur of the moment picnic at a local park is a fun way to spend the day. And don’t let winter take away your picnic fun. Lay a blanket down on the living room floor and have an indoor picnic. Camp out in the family room. Breaking convention a little is fun for kids and adults alike.

Game nights at home are popular family activities but surprise everyone by having a game night out. Go play miniature golf. Find a family billiards parlor and play pool. A lot of towns and cities have arcades, which are fun in their own right, but going to a local bowling alley to bowl or play pinball will be less crowded and offer more interaction.

Most kids go to museums as school field trips but going as a family is a way to learn together. It also gives kids a chance to maybe teach their parents things they have studied at school. Or spend the afternoon wandering through local art galleries.

Whatever it is you choose to do, the idea is to be spontaneous and fun. It not only gives everyone a chance to decompress from their week, it also strengthens the overall family ties.