Family Fun Week with Tinley Park-Park District

FAMILY FUN WEEK INDOOR PICNIC

Indoor picnics are always a hit to break the monotony of being stuck in the house. Here are some simple, fun ways to get you started.

First, decide on a theme.

Little ones love a Teddy Bear picnic. Or maybe create an enchanted forest - perfect for princesses to wear their favorite outfit. What about a super hero picnic?

Everyone can pick their favorite or come up with their own!

Ok, now that you have the theme, don’t forget the basics - blankets or tablecloths to spread on the floor, plates, napkins and a picnic basket.

Try adding some indoor plants to give it a real outdoor feeling.

Next, it’s time to plan what to eat. The choices are almost endless, but here are a few ideas that are simple and the kids can help.

Those plastic eggs left from Easter make great snack holders.

Arrange in an empty egg carton and you have a mini buffet.

Cut up fruit and let the kids assemble yummy fruit kebobs.

Pinwheel sandwiches are a breeze to roll up and slice making an easy finger food with your favorite ingredients.

Deviled eggs are traditional picnic food. Try these straight up deviled eggs for fun!

And what’s a picnic without the ants? Ants on a log are easy to assemble and kids love them!

You have got to have some games to play at a picnic. Try some of the games we shared with you last week:

Ping Pong Catch

Masking Tape Races

Egg on a spoon races. this is another way to use those extra plastic eggs and there won’t be a mess when they fall!

A three legged race is always a hit at any

picnic but only try this one if you have

plenty of room to fall without hitting any furniture!

Log Ideas

oCarrots oCucumber (slice in half lengthways, scrape out seeds) oBanana (slice in half, lengthways) oApple (cut into wedges) oPear (cut into wedges) oPeach / Nectarine (cut into wedges)

Filling Ideas

oAny nut butter oCream Cheese oCottage Cheese oHummus oMashed avocado/guacamole oGreek Yoghurt oOther dips/spreads

Ant Ideas

oRaisins oOther dried fruit (apricot, dates, figs, pineapple etc.) cut into

raisin-sized pieces. oPeas oSweetcorn oOlives oCherry tomatoes oGrapes oBlueberries oSeeds oNuts

Add a layer of honey on top of the filling to make a sweet treat!

FAMILY FUN WEEK INDOOR CAMPOUT Set up a tent and get the sleeping bags out. Use a fan to create some windy weather! Hide the kids’ stuffed animals around the house. Then go on a safari and find the “wild animals” throughout the house! Grab the flashlights and make it a night time excursion. Put together an obstacle course for added exceitement as you travel through the forest!

What’s camping without a campfire?! If you have a fireplace, you’re all set.

If not, create a fake fire!

Create indoor camp fire with paper towel rolls, a box top and red/yellow/orange tissue paper or construction paper! Arrange the logs in a shallow box or box top and tape together. You can cover the paper towl rolls with brown construction paper if desired. Create the flames with the tissue/construction paper and attach to the logs.

And S’mores are definitely required with a campfire. Try one of these recipes to make S’mores without the actual fire ... they will still be delicious!

Indoor-smores Indoor S’mores Hanging around the campfire is also a great place for telling stories. Ghost stories are traditional but you may choose more kid friendly tales for small children.

Telling a story about your childhood is a great way to share family history.

Time to tuck into your sleeping bags.

String white lights inside the tent to do some stargazing. If you have a nature sounds machine, CD or app, play some summer sounds - crickets, babbling brooks, etc. - to fall asleep by. Then its off to a peaceful night at your campsite!

Sleep tight!

FAMILY FUN WEEK FINE DINING AT HOME

We’re all spending increased time with our family in limited space. Without the hectic schedules of sports, scouts and other activities, that means more family dinners than normal.

It’s time to switch things up! Here are a couple of ideas for making dinner a special event!

One idea, if your children are old enough, is to let them open a restaurant just for Mom and Dad. Them plan the menue and cook the meal. Meals can be simple - meatloaf, baked chicken, etc., with a salad, soup and dessert. Here is a short video with instructions for properly setting the table. When you ‘arrive’ for your date night, the kids can act as maitre’d to welcome you to their restaurant, seat you and take your order and serve you.

Or, you can make it a family affair and have everyone work together on the planning, cooking and table design. Try to create the atmosphere of your favorite restaurant. This is a great opportunity for children to learn the proper etiquette of fine dining in public.

What truly makes the whole experience extra special is dressing the part. Ladies, put on the pearls, pumps and party dresses. Gentlemen, slip into your suits, sport coats, slacks and ties.

This will be an evening to remember for the whole family. Bon apetit!

Check out this hilarious video of a Dad pulling out all the stops to serve his children

FAMILY FUN WEEK INDOOR BEACH PARTY What you need: Beach Towels Bathing Suits Flip flops/sandals Sunglasses Sun hats Music – Beach Boys, of course!

Set up your beach in a roomy area of the house so there’s plenty of space to spread out and play games. Balloon Beach Volleyball is perfect!

Don’t forget the decorations!

Fill your beach with colorful fish!

Shark Seahorse Color by Number Puffer Fish Octopus Fish Angel Fish Crab Dolphin Shark Connect the Dots

What to eat at the beach?

Hamburgers Hot Dogs Sand castle sandwiches Veggies & Dip Lemonade

Make a colored paper chain for a lei. Cut out and attach these flowers!

Try making a paper bag jellyfish!

Using paint, crayons or markers, color the paper bags. Add glitter if desired. Cut strips in the bag for tentacles. Glue on googly eyes.

Make dessert together! Decorate cupcakes with blue icing. On one half, sprinkle graham cracker crumbs for the ‘sand’. Add paper umbrellas, teddy graham beachgoers or goldfish.

FAMILY FUN WEEK SUNDAE DANCE PARTY Time to kick back and relax with everyone’s favorite – Ice Cream Sundaes!

You pick the flavors and toppings. Let the kids make their own sundaes for a extra special treat.

Then turn on the music! Here’s some fun games to play while you dance the night away:

Dance with hula hoops to start the game.

•Give a hula loop to everyone and play good party dance music.

•Kids who are not comfortable with the hula hoop around the waist can swirl it around the arm.

Dance with a balloon •Blow up some balloons and try to keep them in the air while you dance! The balloon should not fall on the floor until the music stops.

•The one who stays longer on the dance floor juggling the balloons will be the winner.

Jump to the beats Play a peppy number to which they have to dance as jumping jacks.

Dance with hats (variation of musical chairs) •One child will wear a hat before the music starts.

•As the music plays, the kid needs to dance and simultaneously pass on the hat to others.

•When the music stops, the kid with the hat will be out of the game.

•The game continues until one player is left dancing.

Check out momjunction.com for more dance ideas!

And, of course, the always popular Freeze Dance!