Free, Fun and Family Oriented Goals for 2016

Make the New Year awesome with these free, fun and family oriented goals for 2016

Create a local parks and rec bucket list.

There have got to be scenic nature areas, parks, playgrounds, trails and attractions in your are that you’ve not had a chance to visit. Sit down with your kids at the computer where you can look up each park online and le them help you create a list of 10+ places you’ll commit to visiting in 2016.

Try geocaching!

Geocaching is fun and free and will get you outside exploring your natural surroundings. With the use of your smartphone or other GPS device you’ll be able to pinpoint local caches and search for them. From the size of a pencil eraser to the size of a large treasure chest, you never know what fun awaits you until you give it a try! Tip: Look at the size of the caches before you head off to search. Larger caches contain trinkets and souvenirs for trading so make sure you bring items to swap. If you take one you’re supposed to leave one so the cache stays stocked for future treasure hunters!

Volunteer!

Every year as a family we talk, talk, talk about taking the kids to volunteer somewhere and often time escapes us. Whether it’s on your own, to the beach, park or lake to pick up trash, or as a group within your community, there are local opportunities to volunteer everywhere. Tip: Search Facebook for local groups dedicated to giving and serving others.

Garden!

You might not have a green thumb but it’s never too late to grow one! Caring for your own little garden can be as simple as a few potted plants in a dedicated area of your yard to the creation of a grow box for vegetables. Allow your kids to start plants from seed, nurture and care for them or purchase starter plants from your local home & garden store. Tip: Not ready to grow your own food? Try planting butterfly attracting plants. Check out this post for our family’s butterfly gardening advice.

Get out of your comfort zone!

Discuss with your kids some things they might be afraid to try and make goals with them to overcome their fears. Perhaps they’ve been on training wheels for a couple extra years and need that extra encouragement to try riding without them. Teach them to swim, encourage them to make friends on the playground, try rollerskating or touch that animal at the petting zoo that they’ve previously kept their distance from. Set an example for them by finding your own fear to overcome, no matter how silly, so they know you’re working on trying something new too.

Family game night!

Now that my kids are older they’re getting really into board games and card games. Head to the store or your closet and stock up on some new games you all can sit down and play as a family once a week. Some of our favorites are Sequence, Exploding Kittens, Pie Face, Headbandz and Apples to Apples.

These are just a few ideas I put together to inspire our family and yours this year. You’re in control of making 2016 your family’s best and most exciting year yet!

Comment telling me if you’ve set any family goals for this year?

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