Build Memories that will last.

When it comes to the "5 Love Languages," "quality time" is definitely at the top for me. I love finding new and creative things to do with my family- the kinds of activities that BUILD memories. Things that take slightly more effort than just pushing a button on the remote, but that will be so much for meaningful to my children when they are grown.  We have a quote engraved on wood hanging in our little shop that says, "Kids won't remember their best day of t.v."

The things I remember best from my childhood?
Camping and fishing.
Putting up a "tent" in the living room (when it was too cold to camp outside- we lived in the Alaskan Arctic at the time) and roasting marsh-mellows over a candle. We even had glow in the dark stars on the ceiling and put up a couple of fake Christmas trees to complete the experience. Picnics and drives in the mountains.
Looking for deer on Sunday afternoons- there were always extra "points" for whoever spotted the first one.
Searching the beach with my family for critters in the tide pools.
Singing songs together.
Family Holiday traditions- My Mom has always been the BEST at making every celebration, birthday, holiday, etc...special.
Playing "Spoons" and "Hearts".
Daddy-daughter "dates".
Mom reading out-loud to the whole family.
Target shooting.
Sledding and going to the mountains to cut down a Christmas tree.
Playing in the mud at Fish Creek (aka: glacier silt).
Going to Hockey Games.
Going "Clamming" (even though clams are pretty high on the list of thing I refuse to eat)
Getting up in the middle of the night to watch the Northern Lights.
Exploring new places- both close to home and far.

These times spent together are the ones that made my family close. It probably helped that we lived in the middle of nowhere for a lot of my growing up and didn't have near as many distractions or really ANY other options for entertainment....So we HAD to get creative. But I wouldn't have had it any other way.  

We try now to spend the same type of quality time with our own kids. And even though they don't get to grow up in Alaska, they do get to grow up in a great place in the country with several acres to roam. They love helping in the garden, gathering eggs, fishing in our pond, going camping, playing games, going for walks (that always turn into "treasure hunts"), reading stories together etc... It seems that the simplest things can be the most meaningful.   And while sometimes doing things together takes a little more planning, effort, and time... is always SO worth it.

 I've found a few websites with some great (and inexpensive) family activity ideas...Hope you can find some that your family will enjoy!

 http://www.familyfunshop.com/frugalandfreeactivities.htm

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/family-activities/ad?slide=4

http://www.parenting.com/article/family-activities-cheap-fast-fun

http://www.wisebread.com/47-cheap-fun-things-to-do-this-weekend