Do you remember back in middle school when everyone got to skip out on classes and participate in field day, usually sometime during the last week of school? I do! In fact, I will probably never forget how much fun we had and how we all looked forward to it every year. But did you ever consider planning your own family field day? It's actually not something I ever would have imagined, but it would be an awesome summer event to put together for your kids and their friends or even in lieu of a family reunion. Of course, your event needs to be cool enough to live up to everyone's expectations–young and old–and that could be a big undertaking. Luckily for you, we've got some tips and ideas to get you started.
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First, keep in mind that you want to have age-appropriate activities for everyone in the family–the adults too. Kids will love seeing their parents get in on the action, so go all out and encourage EVERYONE to participate.
Second, make sure there is plenty of water and healthy food around to keep everyone hydrated, well-fueled and in a good mood. Carrot and cucumber sticks, fresh berries and watermelon, popcorn and homemade popsicles are great options. It might even be a good idea to end the day with a big barbecue.
And third, consider NOT giving out prizes. The reward is really that everyone gets to have an amazing time together. Most kids are already knee deep in super-competitive activities, so keep it all about fun and family, rather than about who's stronger or faster.
Bonus: Check out the slideshow below for some great activities to incorporate into your very own family field day.
Image via 7onashoestring.com
Hole in 1
Pretty much anybody can play this game regardless of age, but it's an awesome way to keep 2-4 year olds occupied for long stretches of time while everyone else engages in the more challenging activities. Simply fill a kiddie pool with water and toss in some floating disks. Have the kids try to toss sponges on the disks from various distances. Just be sure someone is always supervising toddlers engaging in water play.
Lawn Twister
How cool would it be to turn a portion of your lawn into a game of Twister? Just paint colored circles in rows and columns and let them dry thoroughly before playing. This is another activitiy that is great for a wide age range of people. Even a kindergartner could play!
Water Balloon Toss
Cool everyone off with a more mellow take on water balloons. Everyone will eventually get soaked, but since this game just involves playing catch with the water balloons at increasing distance, rather than randomly pelting individuals with the filled balloons, it's a little safer and a little less likely to result in hurt feelings, while still maintaining the element of surprise.
DIY Skeeball
Skeeball is my absolute favorite arcade game, and I can imagine this DIY version is just as much fun. All you need are some cheapo plastic bowls and signs to indicate the point value or distance. You could use bean bags, foam balls or even water balloons for the toss itself.
Hula Hoop Pass
The hula hoop pass is a classic team-building activity and one that isn't just fun, but truly requires everyone to work together. The object is to pass the hoop from one body to the next while everyone is standing in a circle holding hands — without breaking hands. Can't you just imagine the laughs this will result in?!
