Spice Up Your Monday Nights

We all know the basic Family Home Evening formula: song, prayer, lesson, game and don't forget the dessert. But sometimes as children get a little older (and families a little bigger), they start to lose interest in this weekly program. Parents if you need some new ideas to keep you kids interested, here are a few ideas for children of all ages:

Down on the Farm

Are you ready to get your hands dirty? If you live in a rural area, arrange to visit a local farm. Some farms let visitors practice milking cows or explore wheat fields, while orchards will often allow them to pick they own apples or peaches. If you schedule this trip in the fall, you might even find hay rides or corn mazes for the family to enjoy. Younger children can learn about the different animals and plants, and older children may be interested in how the food gets from the farm to their table. Finish off the evening with a treat made from the produce you picked yourself.

Sporting Good Time

Rain, snow and sleet can't stop true sports fans. When the clouds roll in, head to an indoor sports arena in your area. Many of these complexes feature batting cages, swimming pools, basketball courts, ultimate Frisbee fields and other places to stretch your legs.

To create a little friendly competition, divide your family into teams and compete for silly prizes. As you race from one event to the next, you'll get the heart pumping and the blood racing. If this event is a hit, invite other families to join in the fun.

Explore the Local Library

Encourage your children to love reading while they are young, and they will love it for life. You can encourage a habit of lifelong learning by visiting the library often. Many libraries offer children’s reading programs or book clubs. If you prefer, you can start a family book club, allowing older children to read on their own while Mom and Dad read chapters to the younger children before bed every night. Discuss the story as a family. Another idea is to go to the library and find books for each other to read. Ask a librarian for help finding new books for your children.

Natural Wonders

Whether you live near rocky mountains, sandy beaches or the Great Plains, there's a nature preserve or national park nearby. Go beyond the backyard and explore more of our great planet. Pack a picnic lunch, lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. Join a guided tour, or head out on your own with a book of local flora and fauna. To incorporate arts and crafts, bring along chunky crayons and white paper. Ask your children to collect an assortment of leaves, and then create leaf rubbings using the colors of the rainbow.

Science and Space Adventures

Have an aspiring astronaut or mad scientist in your midst? Plan an outing to a nearby science museum or planetarium. To appeal to little ones with little attention spans, many museums have launched hands-on exhibits that teach kids about everything from insects and fossils to earth-friendly lifestyles.
If stars are more your speed, plan your visit around the next eclipse or lunar event. The planetarium's giant telescopes and space experts will help shed some light on these natural phenomenon. Check out the schedule in advance to see if there are special events or IMAX films of interest.

Contributing: Janessa Cloward
Photo: Benjamin Earwicker