The Official Family of the new Millennium (TM) News

Celebrating the Third Millennium and the 21st Century

Countdown to the 4th Millennium (Within your own time zone)- we're not waiting!

Family Activities for the 21st Century!

Activities Tips Trips Vacations Family Building Projects and Resources

The Prime charter of the Y2KFAM™ is to find ways for families to:

grow
encourage
and build up.

As we progress deeper into the 21st Century, there are many ways to celebrate this new millennium and do things with the family. Looking for something to do? Looking for new ideas to try or something to spark your imagination? This page offers ideas and links to some great family activities that we do and also recommend others to do as well.

Our Philosophy: When we plan an activity we get everyone in the family involved. While Mom and Dad pay and have the majority say, everyone has a choice on what to do (within a budget), on all or part of it. The choices must be:

fun,
educational (to some degree- 'infotainment' if you will),
activity that the whole family can participate in.
If part of a 'family travel package', we'll even modify it to suit our interests (yes, they will let you do that . . .).
Cheap is better, free is best- if it's expensive it better be well worth it . . .

We plan the activities as far in advance as need be and we make sure that we have the resources we need to enjoy it.

Activities for Fall:

Take a drive:

A day trip- to the mountains or one of those near by historic or national monuments is inexpensive, and can be very educational as well as fun. As the leaves change in the late Fall the colors come out all up and down the country- a spectacular site!
On the way, have everyone participate in planning the route. Everyone gets a say in how to get there AND what to do along the way.

Around the home: There are always things to do around the home that don't relate to chores. Here are a few that can get families involved right away!

Building projects- such as tree houses or outdoor kid's play buildings. We've even built an outdoor garden railroad that the family plays with throughout the year!
Scrapbooking- This can be a fantastic memory maker for the entire family. Give each member of the family a section of the summer vacation to organize into scrap books and then bring them all together.
Selecting and Displaying The family photo- We take ours yearly at Easter and we also take several during our summer vacation. We then select which picture to hang on the wall as almost a 'trophy' of things we've done together, conquering yet another location. Perhaps you can start your own traditions that way too!

Trips (like day trips):

Rafting/Canoeing: Excellent if you love the water or simply enjoy seeing nature from the water. Remember, 1 family can fit in a canoe!
Horseback riding: We love it (of course, we ride all the time)! Many great family memories are created by riding together, and its also a great stress reducer!

Vacations:

Themed Vacations: We've been taking themed vacations for some time now. In 2002 it was animals and the environment. Interested? Click here! In 2003 , we went back to Britain to take in a lot of history, aimed at helping our daughter appreciate history and provide here with a variety of interesting things to write about next year in school! Some of these things included:

The Jorvik Viking Centre- York. Where Vikings used to live!
The Arbeia Roman Fort- South Shields. Where the Romans had an outpost
The Beamish Open Air Museum. Where 1800s British living comes to life again.

We enjoyed traveling overseas so much that we're headed our again to either Italy or China!

Moderately priced Vacations:

Consider visiting an historical town. there are many of them around the country. These places are as entertaining as they are educational. Here are a few ideas:

Colonial Williamsburg, VA- learning about the nation's history and having fun at the same time!
Tombstone, AZ- A touch of the wild west!
Hershey, PA- An old company town still in touch with today.

Also consider a 'driving vacation'- that is seeing scenic America as you drive.

Skyline Drive, VA- The mountains and the spectacular leaf changes in the fall.
Pacific Coast Highway- The Pacific Ocean and the rock coastline
San Juan Skyway, CO- The Rockies and snow capped mountains all year round!
Blue Ridge Parkway, NC/TN/VA- more spectacular mountain scenery

Inexpensive Vacations:

Really Cheap Vacations (our personal favorite):

Camping in a state park or national forest
Visiting caverns, staying in and visiting the local town's attractions.
Activities for Summer:

Around Town: Let me tell you, Linda has a natural talent for finding out about free stuff to do in and around town. Here's just a few things she'd discovered:
- Church- If your church is like ours, we have Vacation Bible School (VBS) for a week each summer. VBS is a great family time because there's always stuff for the kids and adults to do individually and together, including play and craft projects. There are also many on-going activities year round that churches have for entire families so please check you local church for what's going on.
- Free Movies- In the town where we live, the local multiplex offers FREE movies each week over the summer. The movies may be a year old, but a 'theater experience' is always better than the small screen. A great way you and your family can beat the heat, stay together and save a few bucks- oh yeah, the popcorn's extra.
- Free Crafts- In the same town, the local Toys 'R Us™ sponsors free craft activities for kids and parents. You might want to call around and see who's doing the same in your area too!

This page was last updated on 09/22/06 . Check back for more stuff soon!