At the end of a long and busy week, there’s nothing better than getting to kick back, relax, and have some fun with the family. However, if you don’t have any weekend plans already made, you might find yourself scrambling to come up with something to do on Saturday to keep everyone occupied.
If you incorporate a fun Saturday tradition or two into your family’s weekend plans, you won’t have to wonder how you’ll spend your time – you’ll know what’s coming, and you’ll be excited about it! There are tons of simple things you can embrace as traditions that the whole family will look forward to. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started:
MAKE BREAKFAST A SATURDAY TRADITION.
If your family loves the idea of kicking off the day with a big breakfast, wake up and gather everyone to share some waffles, pancakes, bacon, biscuits, or whatever other morning treats you prefer. As an alternative, you can kick the day off with a bowl of cereal and enjoy breakfast for dinner.
VISIT A LOCAL FARMER’S MARKET TOGETHER.
During the warmer months of the year, make it a weekly tradition to visit your nearest farmer’s market to pick up some fresh produce and other goods for your family to enjoy. Putting money directly into the hands of those who grow your fruits and vegetables is a great way to support your local industry, and it can be an excellent opportunity to educate your family on the importance of a healthy diet filled with plenty of plants.
GET THE WHOLE FAMILY TO HELP COOK A MEAL.
Cooking together can be a great way to strengthen your bond and have some fun while creating something delicious and nourishing for breakfast, lunch or dinner. While many households leave kids out of the cooking process, getting them involved when they’re young can help instill more adventurous eating habits and teach them essential life skills. Start with their favorite recipes, then branch out to new and exciting dishes.
HOLD A FAMILY MEETING.
A family meeting can make a smart Saturday tradition, especially if you’re leading busy lives. Sit down together to recap the week behind you and talk about what you hope to accomplish for the week ahead. If last week was rough, talk about why, and find ways to make things better before you begin the new week. If it was great, take some time to celebrate and congratulate one another on your accomplishments, big or small.
Use family meetings as a time to plan dinner menus, assign chores for the week, revisit family values, or tackle whatever else you’d like.
HEAD TO A NEARBY PARK OR PLAYGROUND.
As long as the weather cooperates, get everyone outside and let your little ones burn off some energy with a visit to a neighborhood park or playground. If it isn’t too far away, walk or bike instead of taking the family car for some added cardio!
SCHEDULE FAMILY GAME NIGHT.
Saturday evenings can present a perfect opportunity to start a tradition around family game night. Getting everyone together to play board games can be a ton of fun, and with the sheer variety of games out there, you won’t get bored anytime soon. Make things even more exciting once in a while by inviting over a family friend to join in on the fun!
FIND A WAY TO VOLUNTEER.
Make giving back a part of your family’s weekly routine, and you’ll quickly find you look forward to your opportunity to help others each week. Dedicate fifteen minutes to make cards for members of our military serving abroad, drop off some canned goods at a local food bank, or participate in a park cleanup or other public service event.
As you can see, there are plenty of great family traditions you can try to start in your home to celebrate Saturday mornings. Add one or more of these activities into the mix and see how much more you and your family look forward to the weekends!
