Image via flickr user Bedtime Champ
American Family Day isn’t exactly a major holiday—or even, it seems, much of a minor one. Though it’s been observed on the first Sunday in August since 1978, you never see those store displays overflowing with decorations and treats like you do for most other holidays. In fact, I’m not sure Hallmark even acknowledges the day, which is funny, considering they churn out cards for other Really? holidays like Citizenship Day (September 17th) or National Doctors’ Day (March 30th).
On second thought, I should check. I mean, Hallmark usually has every holiday in existence covered.
I was right. American Family Day is not featured on Hallmark’s list of holidays and occasions!
Still, with camp, play dates, lessons, sports practice, work, and more, dedicating an entire day to spending time as a family probably happens (much) less often than we’d like. So even if the idea of a holiday to celebrate family feels a little cheesy, setting aside one day where parents and kids hang out and appreciate each other is definitely a good thing.
And you don’t just have to play board games, either. (Though you can if you want to! I’d play Scrabble with my family all day if they were willing to indulge me.) Some ideas for fantastic family fun:
Get to know the outdoors
If the weather isn’t unbearably hot, why not take on an educational adventure like bird-watching or stargazing?
Cook!
Let each family member plan one meal course, then get in the kitchen and whip up an old-fashioned Sunday supper. Cheesy Zucchini Fingers make a tasty appetizer!
Preserve your memories
You know once you crack open one photo album you’ll end up spending the whole afternoon going through all the rest of them anyway, so why not make an event of it? Go through your old pictures and make a family scrapbook—you’re guaranteed spend hours laughing at silly baby pictures and embarrassing fashion choices.
Reprinted from KIWI Magazine
