My parents and grandma are visiting at the end of the month to celebrate my boys’ birthdays. And I have a new book coming out this summer, How Many Sleeps?, which is all about counting down the days until long-distance relatives come to visit. So, to prepare myself for our own long-distance relatives, I’ve put together this list of fun (and free!) things you can do when family or friends come to visit!
- Take a walk or go for a hike. Look up local nature trails, or just take a walk around the block! Make it a scavenger hunt, look for certain animals or buildings to check off your list. It’s a great way to enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise.
- Go to the park. As part of your walk, check out a local park and play on the toys or play catch. Go to your favorite one or find one you’ve never been to.
- Have a picnic. Pack a picnic lunch for your walk or trip to the park. It’s a great way to take a break from all the fun.
- Go to the zoo or a museum. Although this isn’t always free, there are many museums that offer free or discounted admission days. Take advantage of those and learn something new on a day when spending time outdoors isn’t possible.
- Cook a meal together. Pick a long time favorite or try a new recipe! You might learn a new skill, and as a bonus, you get to eat the end result! If you aren’t into cooking, you could go out to eat instead. Take your guests to your favorite restaurant or try a new one!
- Have a game night. Pull out all your favorite card games and board games. Our family game nights are always full of fun and laughter. Game night is sure to make some great memories!
- Put on a fashion show. If you or your kids love dressing up, get out all those old Halloween costumes and the out-of-style clothes hidden at the back of your closet. See who can make the most ridiculous outfit and practice your stage walk. This is sure to lead to a ton of giggles.
- Read a book together. If you love reading as much as I do, a nice, quiet activity to do with family is to all snuggle around a good book. Or, for older kids, everyone can enjoy their own book for a little while. Sometimes it’s nice to read in the company of someone else.
- Create art together. Grab your crayons, markers, paints, chalk, or whatever your favorite medium is! Everyone can create their own piece of artwork, and then you can make an art gallery for everyone to show off what they’ve made!
- Have a dance party. Blast your favorite songs and dance around the living room. Show off those moves! This is a lot of fun and also great exercise! If dancing’s not your thing but you still like music, see if there is a live show somewhere nearby.
- Put on a talent show. Everyone has some unique talent they can show off. Have everyone prepare their talent and then put on a show. You might be surprised by what you see!
Of course, the most important thing is to enjoy spending quality time with loved ones. It doesn’t matter what you do, if you do it together you are bound to have a good time. Don’t forget to take some pictures. But more importantly, live in the moment, nothing can replace the memories made with family and friends.
Comment below with your favorite things to do with visitors!