10 things to do this Family Day

Getty Images

Looking for inspiration this Family Day weekend? Can’t bear the thought of staying indoors and surviving on five-minute craft projects and Treehouse TV? We’ve got some ideas for you to have fun with the fam this weekend.

1. Bake together: As in everyone in the family. Thumb through recipe books or do a recipe search for kid-friendly recipes you can all get your hands dirty with. (And then enjoy afterwards!) Don’t like baking? How about working together to make a soup or chili to take the edge off the frosty winter.

2. Create a play together…or a video or a TV show: The point is you all work together to put together a family show that you can put your collective creative minds to, suggests Jennifer Kolari, a Toronto-based therapist and author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise a Great Kid.

3. Think spa day: If you’ve got some girly girls on your hands, head to the drugstore or even your pantry to get some spa essentials for the day—think creams, face masks, nail polishes and have an in-home spa day suggests Debbie Frye, general manager of Flyerland.ca.

4. Search for deals: “Lots of attractions have deals on that day such as the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Ontario Science Centre, Fallsview Indoor Waterpark and more,” she suggests. To save even more dough, bring your own snacks or lunch to make a day of it.

5. Take the family out to lunch: It’s much, much cheaper than dinner and you won’t have the same pressure of other adult diners eagle-eyeing your kids because they think they’ll spoil their night out.

6. Try a new winter sport: Maybe you’re long-time tobogganers—switch it up for the day and go cross-country skiing or skating altogether instead.

7. Be silly: For little ones especially, a little silly goes a long way says Kolari. So add some food colouring to a bottle of water and go nuts spraying the backyard; have lunch or snack time under the dining room table; or turn your entire living room into a fort.

8. Be crafty: If you are into crafts, go bigger with your project today says Frye. Hit Home Depot for a kit to make altogether or head to a craft supply store, such as Michaels, for some more unusual items to work with.

9. Head outside: If you like the outside but aren’t fond of playing in the snow, find an outdoor attraction to enjoy on an off-season day, like a local visiting farm, a special playground or zoo.

10. Make it pyjama day: Stay in pyjamas all day, order in take-out, set up the board games and sleeping bags in the living room and camp out on your main floor all day.