Travel is an ideal way for families to spend time together away from the stresses and demands of the day-to-day routine, to connect with one another, and to create shared memories. However, not everyone has the time or money to spend on an out-of-town adventure. The good news is you don’t necessarily have to travel far to escape the everyday.
Here are five things your family can do to escape the everyday right in or near your own home that don’t require a huge investment of time or money:
Attend a Local Event Together
A few years back in the midst of a busy fall during the heart of soccer season, we made the conscious decision to take a break from the everyday routine by making plans to attend a local food and wine festival after our daughter’s morning soccer game. Despite awakening to threatening skies and experiencing a few sprinkles during the game we decided to move forward with the day’s plans knowing the event was close enough to home that we could easily bail out if necessary.
The skies did eventually let loose that day, but not before we were able to rig up a tent with the aid of a fence we found near the performance stage as well as the blankets and chairs we’d brought along with us. After a quick lap around the festival grounds to purchase food and drink, we hunkered down in our makeshift campsite and ended up having a blast that day, enjoying the day’s stage acts as well as the unplanned entertainment going on all around us. And, best of all, the memories we made at that event still bring a smile to our faces to this day.
Create your own lasting family memories by attending a local festival, sporting event, high school play or other activity that appeals to your family. To find an event, scan through your local newspaper or your community’s online calendar of events.
Go on a Midweek Outing
Sometimes it’s all too easy to get so caught up in the chaos of the day-to-day schedule that before we know it another week has flown by with seemingly nothing to show for it. A great way to break up the monotony is by scheduling an out-of-the-ordinary midweek family outing.
Check out that local new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try but have never gotten around to visiting. Attend a program together at your local community college or library. Indulge in a yummy dessert together at your favorite sweet shop. Just make the effort to get out and do something. Together.
Plan a Special Meal
Don’t have the time or energy to go out? Plan a special meal at home, such as an indoor picnic or turn things upside down and enjoy breakfast for dinner. Top it off with a special dessert afterwards by setting up your own ice cream sundae bar with all your family’s favorite toppings.
Schedule a Family Night
Rather than going your separate ways after the school or work day, break from the ordinary and commit to doing something together for an hour or so. Play a board game, work on a jigsaw puzzle, or simply make the time to engage in conversation with one another.
Create Something Together
Create a tangible reminder of your time spent together by engaging in a creative activity such as tie dying t-shirts, rearranging or redecorating a common area in the house, planting a flower pot garden, assembling a photo album, or simply making a meal together.
You don’t have to travel far to escape the everyday in order create memories and strengthen your relationships with one another. All it takes the desire and effort to step out of the normal routine together.