Author: Cork
I love to do and create fun activities which leads to everlasting memories. When my son was young, I started doing a scavenger hunt type of game for Easter. Our home is really small so there were challenges for me to be original each year. Read on to see what that is all about.
First, I would cut paper into strips and write a clue on it which would lead him to his next clue and that ultimately lead him to his glorious prize.
Example, I would write on the first slip of paper:
“No worries, no school, so go to your indoor pool.” I put that into a plastic egg and that would be the first one I started him off with. Well, as I said, our house was small and of course we did not have a big indoor pool so, it must be the bath tub! He would go to the bath tub and find another plastic egg with his next clue.
“Don’t be sad, don’t delay, go to the place where you can escape all day.” Well, we have often talked about how books are a great way to escape from boredom. You can travel anywhere in the world, or out of it, without even leaving your home. So, he knew to go to the bookshelf. There, he found another plastic egg and his next clue.
You get the idea, right? Ultimately, the last egg would lead him to the basement or a closet where he would find what he had been searching for… his Easter Basket! Although he loved that tasty basket full of candy, coloring books, books, and games and of course, more candy, he said he enjoyed the hunt much better.
This game has several benefits:
- It makes them think and reason.
- Having trouble getting them to eat a good breakfast before digging into candy? You can have a clue that takes them to their breakfast and they must finish their food before you give them their next clue.
- Since you are filling the plastic eggs with paper clues instead of candy, that is more candy in the basket instead of candy in the eggs and basket.
- You can put stickers, small toys, wash off tattoos, etc., in the eggs along with the clues if you want.
- This is a bonding experience.
- Does your child feel they are too old to hunt for Easter eggs? Have them help coming up with the clues or assisting a smaller child in their adventure. Get your spouse, the grand parents or house guest involved too in these fun activities.
- It’s just plain good family fun for all.
Another idea
- Have a coloring contest for the whole family.
- Once they are done, fold them up and insert into an envelope.
- Put those envelopes into a container and shake ‘em up.
- Have the youngest person (but old enough to participate) choose one of the envelopes.
- (a)The winning entry can get a prize, such as their picture get posted in the front room or in a window for everyone to see. (b) Gets to pick the movies or tv shows for the day. (c) Picks whatever they want for dinner for tomorrow. (d) Choose from a prize box that you put together. (e) Whatever your imagination comes up with for the winner.
A few more fun activities to consider
- Family reading time. It could be any book of your choosing. You can take turns reading out loud or have whomever volunteers to read do so. Kids love to be read to! They may even want to do the reading. Who knows, you just may start a tradition.
- Arts and crafts. Everyone can do anything from making paper air planes to finger painting to paint-by-numbers. (There are some really fun water color minimal mess, water color books out there. Simply wet the paint brush and it activates the pre- colored page to bring out the different colors.) You can also give bingo a try. Make your own or download, cut and use my printable kit. Click for the downloadable Printable Bingo Kit.
- Sing along. I know this may sound hokey but you can get into the latest pop songs, pick an oldie but a goodie, learn a new song together or make up rhymes. If you really want to know what music your tweens are listening to, now is a good time to find out.
These fun activities are easy and cost little or no money but can create a lifetime of memories and traditions. Time is the best gift that you can give to those you love. Sharing your time is invaluable and creating fun memories with that time is life changing.