Play Time for Adults Too

When was the last time you just played? Silly fun, off-the-wall, surprise-your-family play can create incredible joy, and also lasting memories. Sometimes, I like to surprise my children when they are least expecting it. Here are some of my favorite “fun-filled" moments.

• Serve grapes for dinner in a large bowl. Pick up a few and take them off their stem and ping one or two at the kids and yell, “fruit fight!” (Of course they have to help clean up afterwards!) Mini marshmallows also work well for this activity.
• Play a game where you take turns throwing a grape into each others’ mouths. Invariably, you will hit each others’ noses, chins, mouths, and giggle lots watching the grapes bounce off each other and onto the floor. (Cereal is also good for this one.) You may want the "receiver" to close their eyes if you are worried about aim.
• Make a chocolate cake or brownies and when you are done, leave some batter in the bowl. Use your fingers and wipe some on each other's lips and chins to make moustaches and beards. Take pictures! This also works well with icing, melted chocolate and whipped cream.
• Buy water guns and surprise someone with a water gun fight. (Water balloons are a good substitute as well.)
• Get some sidewalk chalk and sit out on the driveway or sidewalk and draw to your heart’s content.
• Play hopscotch or kickball. One time we made a hopscotch with 100 squares leading all the way around the cul-de-sac.
• Pretend to be mannequins and pose somewhere. Have one person arrange the mannequins by changing the poses. Wear hats and scarves to make it more interesting. It is such fun to juxtapose one perspective into a whole other view of the world, watching people and their reactions!

Consider teaching your children to look at things from a different vantage point. It will be a gift they will take into their adult-hood. I know I’ll never be a perfect parent or spouse, but I always hope that some of the great memories I've tried to help create will stand out in the minds of my family forever.

Fun with Archie McPhee

Our last trip to Archie McPhee's in Seattle was a fabulous fun. Our family can create a great memories doing almost anything. I had my camera in my purse and we had some time on our hands. Add a dash of imagination and suddenly you have instant entertainment. Here are some highlights of our trip to this novelty store for you to enjoy.

All of our daughters enjoyed a race through the costume aisles and posed with their favorite looks. Of course I got in on the act too. Perhaps these photos will give you some inspiration for ways to kick up your heels with your family whether you are at a store or in your own home!

For your own Archie McPhee fun moments, you can go online and buy some fun gag gifts to take home to your family tonight. http://www.mcphee.com/ I totally suggest the potatoe guns, which use real potatoes as ammunition, bug suckers (complete with a healthy dose of protein to offset the sugary carbs), a set of test tubes (to create lots of fun creations by mixing things in the kitchen) and of course some costumes. Remember, this site is great for birthday and holiday gifts!