FAMILY Connection 10 Easy Conversation Starters Unique Ice Pop Recipes to Tickle Your Taste Buds Family Games and Activities That Bring People Together

10 EASY Conversation Starters

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You’ve known your child longer than anyone they know, yet it can feel like talking to your teen is like breaking the ice with a stranger. Whether you’re relaxing with your teen in your spa or making small talk at the dinner table, these 10 easy conversation starters will get the ball rolling.

If you could go anywhere in the world, to where would you travel?

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This is a great one to find out what places your teens are interested in traveling to. You never know, you may be able to make a teen’s dream come true by traveling to that place on your next family trip.

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If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

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Teens can be pretty picky and unadventurous in their food choices. Answers to this question could help you expand your teenager’s palette. Challenge them to think beyond pizza and burgers.

If you could star in any movie, what movie would it be?

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Not only will you learn a fun fact about your offspring, but you’ll have a must-see-together flick to add to your movie watch list. 4

What is your earliest memory?

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It is interesting to note the differences in the earlier memories that a number of people have. When used in a group of teenagers it can reveal some early impressions of life. Someone may remember a moment from their toddler years, while other people’s first memory may be quite a bit later. Use this opportunity to follow up with a story about their childhood and see if they can recall it, too.

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What’s on your bucket list?

Encourage your teen to share independent goals as well as coming up with some family bucket list items.

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What is your greatest fear? This conversation starter offers a great way to naturally go deeper into the topic.

What event in your life has impacted you the most?

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The answer to this question may give you the opportunity to see your teen from another perspective and allow you the chance to get to know them on a deeper level.

Should cell phones be allowed at school?

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This is a hot button issue. On the one hand, you need to be able to get ahold of your kid if there is an emergency. On the other hand, they don’t need to be playing the latest game when they are supposed to be learning. See which side of the fence your teenager stands.

What is your life’s motto?

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A motto or a mantra is a quick way to kickstart positivity and refocus on a goal or principle, which comes in handy, especially starting in the teenage years. For teens who do not yet have a motto, this question may help them think about what’s really important. Just guide them to keep it simple.

What are five things you like about yourself?

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At times, it can be challenging to see your own self-worth. This question forces kids to take a good look at themselves and speak positively.

With any of these 10 easy conversation starters, you can open up a dialog with your teen or banish lulls in conversation in just about any situation. You never know where a conversation you start can go; you might just see a side of your offspring you didn’t know existed. 5

UNIQUE ICE POP RECIPES to Tickle Your Taste Buds Think ice pops are just for kids? Think again. When the mercury is on the rise—or perhaps you’re just in a summer mood—these frozen sweet treats are a fun way to cool off and enjoy a delightful dessert. For these recipes, you’ll need ice pop molds and a bit of time to prepare. Ice pops can be ready in as few as six hours, but we always suggest freezing them overnight for best results.

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POMEGRANATE AND BLUEBERRY. Have your antioxidants for dessert when you combine pomegranate juice and blueberries. Simply fill your blender with pomegranate juice and blueberries (frozen or fresh) and blend. Pour into molds and freeze.

WATERMELON AND MINT. Take chunks of seedless watermelon and toss it into a blender. Blend until it is liquid, then mix in some sprigs of mint. Pour in a few teaspoons of lime juice and pulse a few times before pouring into molds and freeze. FRUIT JUICE AND SIMPLE SYRUP. To make simple syrup, mix 1/3 cup of sugar with 1/3 of water (to increase yield, use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water) in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Ensure that sugar is melted and then remove it from the heat; put mixture in refrigerator to cool completely for about 30 minutes. Combine simple sugar mixture with your choice of fruit juice, and pour into molds to freeze.

FRENCH VANILLA COFFEE. Take your iced coffee game to the next level with this cool recipe. Brew a pot of coffee; let cool. Mix in a few drops of vanilla extract and a bit of milk or cream (if desired). Stir a few times, then pour into molds to freeze. FRUIT SALAD. Cut thin slices of your favorite fruit salad ingredients, then combine with water or juice. Pour the chunky mixture carefully into molds and freeze for a delicious treat later on.

MANGO COCONUT. Blend slices of frozen mango with coconut juice. For an extra tropical treat, add in shredded coconut. Pour into molds and pop into the freezer; count down the hours until these are ready to enjoy. FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE. Bring a much-loved winter beverage into a completely different season. Make several mugs of hot chocolate and let cool before pouring into molds. For some extra decadence, add in some chocolate chips to the mix before pouring and freezing. Enjoy a delicious, fudgy treat later in the day. If you’ve got the time, ice pops are among the easiest, crowd-pleasing desserts around. The only hard part is figuring out what recipe you’ll make for your next batch.

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FAMILY GAMES AND ACTIVITIES That Bring People Together

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Family game and craft nights are a great opportunity for everyone to come together to have fun and unplug from their portable devices for a while. Pick a night that everyone is home and available to spend some time together and then try some of these family games and activities that bring people together. Warning: Laughter might ensue.

Host a Costume Fashion Show Why wait until Halloween to wear a fun costume? Set the timer on 15 minutes and instruct family members to create fun costumes out of existing wardrobe and accessories. Kick the pretend-play up a notch and ask everyone to take on the personality of the character they are dressed as.

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Form Your Own Family Olympics Indulge in some healthy and hilarious competition when you host your family’s own Winter or Summer Games. Create your own events—the wackier the better—and see who can stand up to the competition in things like synchronized laundry folding or plastic cup stacking. 10

Draw a Sidewalk Mural Grab a couple of boxes of wide, colorful sidewalk chalk and go to town on your driveway or a blank swatch of pavement in front of your home. Whether your family members choose to do individual drawings or team up to create a story told by pictures, the sidewalk is your canvas.

Create a Music Video Here’s one that will require some screen time and a bit of creativity, too. There’s an app for everything these days, including ones that let you star in and/or direct your own music video. Choose a fun song that everyone knows and get ready to lip sync. Play it back for everyone to see—or better yet, share it on social media and see if your family goes viral.

Get Crafty in the Kitchen Take a page from TV kitchen competitions and host a contest in your own home. Divide into teams, and have each team choose ingredients from whatever can be currently found in the pantry or the refrigerator. Each team must come up with a meal or snack in 20 minutes, and the tastiest dish wins. The next time everyone is home together, try one of these family games and activities that bring people together without a lot of planning or prep. Just don’t be surprised when they ask for family game night to become a regular date on your calendar.

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