Fall is in the air with cooler weather and the colors of outdoors changing. This time of year is a great time to take your family on a picnic and make some great memories which will last a lifetime. Memories your children will cherish because you made time to be with them. As you plan your next picnic, review this list of possible things to do.
1. Play a game of freeze tag or hide and seek.
Children love to run and play with their parents. Make sure the area is safe and the boundaries are explained and understood. Always practice safety.
2. Find different types and colors of leaves.
Children are in school and at some point in time will have to turn in a leaf collection. Take the time to help them start with you as their partner.
3. Sing Songs.
Take a guitar with you and, if you play, sing funny songs, kids songs, and hymns. If you do not play an instrument, just burst out in song. This will no doubt bring about some laughter.
4. Walk around the park talking about life issues.
Taking time to walk and enjoy nature may also open the door for conversations to feel more natural. Everyone may be relaxed, ready, willing and able to talk about life issues.
5. Go fishing.
Life is hectic and seems so rushed. Fishing helps us slow down with family, relax, talk, enjoy a lunch and, most importantly, build stronger family bonds.
6. Play a board game on the blanket.
Bring your favorite board games and build a stronger relationship with your family. If you are highly competitive, you may want to change the rules to make it more fun and less about winning.
7. People watch.
Watch other individuals and families— how they act and react to others. Use this as a time to intentionally talk about right and wrong behaviors. Spend time talking about how you want your family to be and how you can get there.
8. Pray before you eat your lunch.
Pack a special picnic and pray before you eat. Thank God for the time with your child, the beauty of the park, and the food.
9. Fly a kite.
Make a picnic lunch together as a family. Stop by the store and purchase a kite for everyone, then find a park or open field to fly your kites together.
10. Have a water balloon fight.
Children love water and love seeing other people get wet. Before the picnic, secretively make a cooler of water balloons. Then after the picnic, surprise them with an aerial assault.
