With life’s crazy schedules and daily demands, it can often seem nearly impossible to connect as a family. Whether it be taking your kids to practices and activities non-stop, or devices always stealing away time when you are at home together; quality time with those who matter most can just slip through our hands. However, getting those few hours of undivided, and unplugged time together is vital. What does unplugging mean? It means taking a break from technology and the demands of schedules and routines, and with each other.Unplugging can offer us time to do what you desire and love to do, and doing it together. Now that Spring is here, it is the perfect time to unplug, spend time outside and do something together. Here are 5 ways to disconnect and enjoy spring as a family.
Check Out A Local Farmers Market
Springtime means the re-emergence of outdoor markets. Farmers markets typically host a variety of local vendors selling goods from fresh produce and homemade food items to jewelry curators and entertainers. Grab your family along with a large bag to stuff full of your favorite finds, and spend the morning shopping under the sun! Not only are these markets great places to shop, they are also fun for people watching.
Visit Your Favorite Hiking Trail
The best way to disconnect with society and reconnect with nature and family is by getting outside for a hike. Spring signals the time to get back out on the winding trails and enjoy the fresh air. Revisit your favorite trail from previous years, or maybe you are in search of a new one. Either way, bring the whole family along and enjoy the crisp spring weather, peace and quiet of natures beauty, and maybe you’ll even spot some wildlife along the way. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, water, and snacks for the kids!
Spring Clean And Donate
There is nothing quite like having an organized and decluttered house, especially to ring in the spring season with. Although not the most exciting thing to do, why not clean together? Crank up some music in the house and make it a family event! This is also a great time to make it a point of explaining how important it is to give back to the community with your kids. You can do this by having them put aside some of their favorite, but outgrown clothes or toys to give away to those who need it. Decluttering and paying it forward, what could be better.
Plant A Garden
Budding flowers and fresh fruits and veggies signal the start of springtime, and what better way to enjoy the new blossoms by planting your own. Even if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs, there are plenty beginner seeds out there to choose from for your garden. Kids love getting their hands dirty in the soil, plus it gives them some ownership in taking care of the plants, watering them and picking the fruits and vegetables themselves. Some easy beginner seeds to choose from are tomatoes, cucumbers or sunflowers. All of which will bring spring into your household, and leave the digital realm out.
Go On A Family Picnic To The Park
One of the best parts of springtime is the longer days. Take advantage of the extra sunlight in evenings and go on a dinner picnic. Leave the cell phones and tablets at home, pack a cooler full of food, some cool refreshments, and head to your favorite local park. Whether a picnic table or a blanket on the grass is your picnic style, bring along some fun family games for extra entertainment and bonding time. Take in the sunset, and enjoy the company of each other while being disconnected from the digital world.
Take advantage of the awesome weather, and natural beauty of spring with your family in any way you can. Even though technology and weekly activities are beneficial in many ways, it is important to remember to disconnect and enjoy time as a family plugged into each other.
