Family Night Fun Ideas Without TV

Plan a family night that is a break from the same old plan of putting in a movie or watching TV.

Aug 18, 2006 Elece Hollis

Here are some great ideas for a family night that breaks the mold. Do something different that you will remember for years to come.

Tired of the same old TV nights? Don't you wish for some fresh fun ideas that will promote togetherness and family unity?

Try cooking an ethnic recipe or thematic meal.

Snow Supper Decorate the dining room table with cut out paper snowflakes. Serve all white foods. How about potatoes, fish, coconut, rice, white bread, vanilla pudding, or ice cream, banana smoothies, etc.? Try a pioneer or medieval dinner. Wear costumes.

Have a indoor picnic. How about a Jewish meal? Polish, German, Cajun, a jungle feast or mountaintop menu, African, or Southern Soul Food meal? Dress for the theme. Choose music to go along with your theme and set the table for it.

Starry-Starry Night. Take a flashlight, some bug spray, a couple of blankets and pillows and go out and lay down under the night sky. Watch for shooting stars and talk about galaxies, black holes, moon-walking, astronauts, constellations, the planets, and the universe. Here from Family Fun magazine are some more complete stargazing plans.

Art night Make some playdough,or buy a package of clay for some modeling fun. Supply plastic mats for working, cookie cutters and a rolling pin. Even the little ones can form balls and snakes. The older children can mold some more complicated figures. See what mom and dad come up with. Try this recipe for spicy smelling holiday playdough.

Good Deed Night Come up with a service project that you can work on together. For example, making a shoebox Christmas gift for a needy child. Purchase and wrap gifts or make cards to deliver to a local nursing home. Prepare a package for a serviceman. Spend your evening doing something nice for someone else.

Have a good time sharing and just being together as a family!

The copyright of the article Family Night Fun Ideas Without TV in Kids Activities is owned by Elece Hollis. Permission to republish Family Night Fun Ideas Without TV in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Sep 10, 2006 12:24 PM

Irene Taylor :

Hi Elece,

You have offered some excellent ideas for things families can do instead of watching TV.

Your readers might be interested in my article, <a href="http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/making_learning_fun/53188&qu ot;>Starry Winter Nights</a> to go along with your night sky viewing ideas.

We also have a great article by Jaime Herbert, our Primary School writer on <a href="http://primaryschool.suite101.com/article.cfm/getting_kids_acti ve_at_home">Helping Kids Become More Active</a> that gives more great ideas on things to do instead of watching TV.

Super article. Be sure to visit us over at <a href="http://www.suite101.com/educationandcareer/">Education & Career</a>, too!

Irene

Jan 16, 2008 8:39 AM

Amy L Strong :

Family Fun Night is my passion. In fact I have a website dedicated to helping families find ways to spend more quality family fun time together using frugal and unique ideas. I like the suggestions that you have included in this article. Thank you!

http://www.essentialfamilyliving.com

2 Comments