Balancing health and wellness between soccer games, ballet recitals, terrible twos, and hectic work schedules can seem impossible. Do you find yourself ordering take-out more than you would like, or cooking multiple dishes to please everyone’s dinner tastes? Are you dreaming about the day when you finally have time to grow your own tomatoes or read a book that’s been sitting on your dusty bookshelf? Does the thought of going to the gym feel exhausting and almost humorous? What if I told you that you could do each of those things while including your family? Don’t believe me? Well, here are eleven ways to engage your family in activities that are both fun and healthy!
1. Family Facials
Bel Viso offers a wide variety of facial treatments to fit every skin type. Have a teen with acne; I have you covered. Dry skin? No problem. Searching for a non-invasive facelift? Try a series of Hydraderm Vital Energy treatments. Treat yourself while teaching your children the importance of taking care of their skin. It’s never too early to start taking care of your body!
2. Trade Screen Time For Craft Time
Set up a family craft night and encourage everyone to put their phones down. Sign up for a virtual paint night at your local paint and sip place or find a DIY craft for the whole family to enjoy. Create a family scrapbook, watch everyone decorate their fairy gardens, try marble art, or make homemade jewelry. Find a craft everyone can enjoy and watch everyone’s imagination come to life!
3. Family Bike Rides
Bike rides are a great way to exercise and tire the kids before bedtime. Family bike rides are perfect for almost all ages. Attach a bike carrier for your little one (or even the dog), and head to your family’s favorite ice cream shop. Promises of ice cream will have everyone setting down their Ipads and hopping on their bikes in no time! After all, everyone will have worked up quite the appetite!
4. Cooking Dinner Together
Involve the whole family in dinner prep. Create a playlist of everyone’s favorite songs or cycle through your favorite Alexa channels while rockin’ and choppin’! Have your family take turns picking out their favorite dishes for the week. Plan a weekly meal calendar to avoid buying extra groceries that will go to waste. Another way to make dinner exciting for the whole family is to select a different dish from around the world to try. Challenge everyone to learn how to make something new every day! TikTok is filled with recipes and inspiration for all your cooking desires!
5. Family Book Club
Take turns having the kids pick out their favorite books and read them out loud to the whole family. Choose one day a week for Family Book Club and have everyone take turns reading passages. Another great way to incorporate story time is through a game of character charades. Assign everyone a character from that week’s chosen book and act out each page. Family book clubs will be a blast!
6. Farmers’ Market Extravaganza
Farmers’ Markets are full of healthy foods and fresh produce. On average, farmers’ markets are usually cheaper than traditional grocery stores. Check out your local petting zoos because some offer farmer’s markets. Take a hayride tour, interact with the animals, and teach your children about where their food comes from. Shop unconventionally and take your family on a grocery trip they won’t forget!
7. Family Gardening
Visit your local Home Depot or Lowes with your family to pick out flowers or vegetables to plant. Allow everyone to pick out something that they would like to grow. If you don’t have the space for a garden in your home, you can find a local plot rental. Gardening can be a fun and relaxing experience for the whole family while soaking up a healthy daily dose of vitamin D. Just make sure to wear sunscreen!
8. Take A Walk Together
Schedule a time every day to take a walk with your family. Emerging studies show that walking after a meal can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Play games like I Spy during your walk or create a family steps challenge with your Fitbits or smartwatches. Take a walk around the neighborhood or to your local sweet shop for dessert. Get up, get out, and get moving; every step counts!
9. Family Dance Party
Create a family playlist incorporating everyone’s favorite songs or cycle through everyone’s favorite Alexa stations. Purchase mini plug-in disco lights to create a fun club ambiance for everyone to enjoy. Incorporate karaoke, decorate the room, create a theme, or make mock-tails for added fun!
10. HITT The Gym
Sign up the family for a HITT class, Zumba class, or just utilize the gym equipment together. Before signing up for a gym membership, make a list of everything you and your family are looking for in a fitness center. Find a gym that works for your monthly budget and has all the amenities you are looking for. Fitness centers not only offer classes and workout equipment but many offer pools, saunas, spas, cafes, and more!
11. Family Share Circle
Gather everyone in a comfortable room in the house and sit in a circle. Have everyone turn off their electronic devices, place them into a basket, and set them aside to avoid distractions. Pass around a talking stick or stuffed animal. Whoever is holding the talking stick or stuffed animal can speak while everyone else has to listen. Encourage your family members to share what they are feeling or something on their minds. Everything said in the circle is to remain confidential. Practice listening while being supportive and non-judgmental of each other.
Mental health is as important as physical health. Engaging in healthy activities with your family will bring you closer together and create lasting memories. Tailor the above activities to fit your family’s needs, lifestyle, and age ranges. Let’s make this year’s health and wellness month one for the whole family!