Comments on: What is fun for the whole family? https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/ Writer, Author, Speaker Sat, 07 Mar 2020 02:10:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Lori c https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-113603 Sat, 07 Mar 2020 02:10:00 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-113603 The library can be fun for all of us, and it’s one I enjoy too. The 2 year old runs around, 4 year old is on the computer, I pick up my holds and read while keeping an eye on them. And it’s free! Win-win-win

]]> By: Kaethe https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-112828 Tue, 03 Mar 2020 19:17:53 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-112828 I’ve been thinking about this a lot since we had the problem this weekend of beautiful weather (in Wisconsin!) but no way to agree on a family activity to enjoy it all together. We ended up doing an activity while leaving the oldest two at home which was fine, but not always my ideal. Swimming is always a hit with everyone and we join a neighborhood pool every summer for this. We can also use this as a go-to on vacations and find new places to explore, making sure they have swimming options. We have six kids, all of whom claim to hate hiking. Geocaching is really fun and it can often involve a hike too. As others have mentioned, snacks go a long way. I recommend buying the key fobs at Wendy’s for free frostys all year! We are also thinking of making a general list of “places to explore” as a family and assigning each kid a turn in picking the destination and activity for the day, within a budget. Our kids also suggested bringing a volleyball or basketball to play after a hike. We’ve found it often helps to invite other families along too, especially if they have similar-aged kids. But yes, not everything is fun for everyone all the time. I think that’s a good lesson for kids to be reminded of.

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-112768 Tue, 03 Mar 2020 13:44:44 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-112768 In reply to Jessica.

@Jessica – I think that with four kids one needs to learn to ignore the unhappy one, knowing that the unhappiness will likely shift around and everyone will experience it and bliss in time. Otherwise, you’d never do anything — or the three kids who like bowling won’t get to bowl again. No one person should get a total veto!

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-112766 Tue, 03 Mar 2020 13:43:44 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-112766 In reply to Sara.

@Sara – we joined all the zoos/museums/aquariums/etc. in our area, partly because it’s nice to go for just an hour and then quit. If we were paying for admission each time we’d feel compelled to stay, but short trips can be fun for kids of different ages because no one gets burned out on it. My husband took the (big) kids to Dave and Busters and Legoland (the little one) last weekend and they all enjoyed it. Arcades tend to be great for kids, they just tend to be hell on earth for their parents (unless you’re really into games).

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-112763 Tue, 03 Mar 2020 13:41:50 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-112763 In reply to Gillian.

@Gillian – we wind up dividing and conquering a lot by necessity with the infant. My husband takes the big four and since I’m the only one who’s lactating, I wind up with the baby.

(I love that you have a child who is obsessed with Frank Lloyd Wright!)

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-112762 Tue, 03 Mar 2020 13:40:57 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-112762 In reply to Sarah.

@Sarah – yeah, we have found that live shows (Disney on Ice, Jurassic World experience) can be fun for all of them but also…not cheap! Especially for lots of kids.

]]> By: Sarah https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-112572 Mon, 02 Mar 2020 19:08:37 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-112572 In reply to Gillian.

Mine are 6, 12, and 14. They all love going to the pool, going out to eat, or going to a movie. They like anything that is expensive for me haha.

]]> By: Gillian https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-112528 Mon, 02 Mar 2020 14:11:11 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-112528 In reply to Jessica.

Bowling! Yes, this is one all 4 of mine enjoy.

]]> By: Jessica https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-112525 Mon, 02 Mar 2020 13:55:33 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-112525 We have 4 boys ages 8, 10, 11, and 13. I tell people what I traded off in the beginning (4 kids younger than kindergarten age for 6 months) is now we have four close in age boys, so it is easier to find things they all enjoy. We have also lived in 5 different places in the last 10 years, so exploring new places helps find things to do.

Even with closely spaced kids, my husband and I often notice that 1 of the 4 isn’t happy with what we do most of the time. Three love to go to stick and puck at the ice rink, 3 love to play basketball, 3 love to swim, 3 love LEGO, etc. I am much better at ignoring whichever one isn’t happy about an activity, but it really bugs my husband. Last weekend we bowled and one kid wasn’t happy with his score. He was pouting (but in a way that could be ignored). I ignored it and enjoyed myself. My husband said it would be a long time until he went bowling with the kids again.

]]> By: Gillian https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/what-is-fun-for-the-whole-family/#comment-112514 Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:32:21 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=17561#comment-112514 Having just returned from a week of vacation with our 4 children ages 12-4 we are feeling this acutely right now. Hiking made everyone pretty happy (especially in the warm AZ sunshine, since we are New Yorkers) as did an outing that included mini-golf, go-carts and ice cream. The Zoo still holds everyone’s interest at least for awhile. But yesterday the Harlem Wizards played out elementary school’s teachers in the school gym and really only the 4 and 7 yos were engaged.

We do divide and conquer a fair amount. On this last trip we took the older two (one of whom is Frank Lloyd Wright obsessed) to Taliesin West. It was great and I look forward to sharing it with the younger kids when they are a bit older.

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