Some interesting Ideas

25 Ideas for Your Next Family Night

By Mormon.org

Family Home Evening

One hundred years ago, before family life seemed to kick into hyperdrive, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints counseled families to dedicate one evening per week to family time in a program known as family home evening. Since that time, families have been encouraged to slow down and spend time together once a week, strengthening relationships, sharing common beliefs, and just having fun.

You can read one Episcopal priest’s perspective on family home evening in this Huffington Post article. You can also watch this brief video of one young family’s experience with family home evening.

Spiritual

1. Discuss your views on the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:3–17. You could use the video entitled “Obedience to the Ten Commandments” to aid in your discussion.

2. Share your beliefs about basic Christian principles such as faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, prayer, and scripture study. Allow children to share what they believe as well. Read how Emma, age 11, taught her family about faith.

3. Discuss and establish standards for behavior for members of your family. The For the Strength of Youth booklet offers some great suggestions and guidelines not only for teenagers, but for family members of all ages. These include guidelines in areas such as media use, friendships, dating, and language.

4. Watch and talk about the Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos.

5. Read and discuss a favorite scripture story. For example, after reading in Luke 17 about the one leper in ten who returned to give thanks to Jesus Christ for being cleansed, discuss the importance of returning thanks to God for our blessings.

Practical

6. Hold a family council. Here you can discuss everyday details like the current week’s calendar of events or discuss long-term goals like planning a family vacation.

7. Learn and practice life skills together as a family. Cooking, scrubbing a toilet, folding laundry, and changing a tire are all skills that can be practiced during a family night. Watch as this family has found strength in cooking together often.

8. Talk about family finances. Here is a good resource to help your family understand sound principles about financial security.

9. Plant and care for a garden. As you do, your family will learn about hard work, patience, healthy eating habits, emergency preparedness, togetherness, and the joys of reaping what you sow.

10. Learn a new hobby together as a family. Want to learn more about painting or photography? Try it as a family.

Physical

11. Go for a bike ride or take a walk through the park.

12. Try a new individual or team sport for a night. Frisbee golf, bowling, or badminton might be fun. Whatever you do, just do it together.

13. Attend a sporting event together. While you might not be doing the physical activity yourselves, you’re having fun watching others use their skills.

14. Run through the sprinklers or have a water fight. 15. Enjoy the great outdoors by hiking, fishing, or going on a nature scavenger hunt.

Cultural

16. Attend a dance or musical performance in your area.

17. Check out the zoos, museums, art centers, and science centers nearby.

18. Stray off the beaten path when it comes to interesting attractions to visit. For example, you might try visiting the Kazoo Museum in South Carolina or the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in Oregon. Wherever you live, discover the interesting things around you as a family.

19. Perform for a local retirement or assisted living center. You don’t have to be polished performers to bring a smile to someone else’s face.

20. Visit your state capitol and learn the history of your area.

Social

21. Hold a neighborhood barbeque and get to know your neighbors a little better.

22. Bake cookies and take them to your friends.

23. Have a family game night.

24. Invite another family to join you for your family night and enjoy dessert together.

25. Serve someone as a family. Local food banks and shelters often appreciate volunteer service.

Would you like more ideas for your next family night? Check out this information on family home evening or this article about 8 Tips for Successful, Effective Family Home Evenings.

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