There’s no doubt that the past couple of months has been stressful, and perhaps even fearful while the world is in a period of uncertainty. I know that I’ve been spending more time snuggling up with my family, as well as more time reading alone. Perhaps I should be doing something more productive, but it’s okay. Everyone deals with stress differently in both the long and short terms, and it’s best if this is done in a positive way. I’ve gathered together 7 fun family activities from our blog that we’ve done to relieve stress. I hope you’ll find them useful, too.
7 Fun Family Activities
1 – Jar Full of Thanks: Pay it Forward
In times of stress it’s often nice to do something for someone else! We had so much fun creating this Jar of Thanks and filling it with cookies, as well as adding in a coordinating photo frame and giving them to a friend a few years ago. I think we’ll do this again over the summer.
2 – Zen Origami Colouring Kit
If you’re looking for something you can do for a long while, or just a few minutes here and there, this Zen Origami Coloring Kit fits the bill. First you color the papers and then you fold them into pretty projects (instructions included). My children also like the look of the papers themselves cut into shapes and hung as a stained glass window with the light shining through. Read our review here. Purchase your kit here.
3 – In A Japanese Garden Coloring Book
Adult coloring is very relaxing. I just adore In A Japanese Garden Coloring Book. The images are all taken from wood block prints and there are a variety of images. When I color these pictures I am taken back to my favourite gardens in Japan. When you’re done with a picture, you can put it in a frame and hang it, too. I enjoyed this book so much I took it a step further and attended a workshop on Japanese water colour prints so I could then draw and paint the images on my own. Read our review of this book here. Purchase your own copy of the book here.
4- Miniature Japanese Gardens
Take a little time to grow a mini garden! There are dozens of varieties to try. We made this little moss ball cherry blossom garden that was very cute. The book isn’t just about mini Japanese gardens, but also includes lots of great info on transforming your own garden into a special space. Read our review here and buy Miniature Japanese Gardens: Beautiful Bonsai Landscape Gardens For Your Home here.
5 – World Landmarks Puzzle
Puzzles are a great thing to keep yourself occupied and wound down. I’ve often used them to relax year-round. You can do these on your own or with members of your household and watch the image click together. While you’re spending more time at home and unable to travel, why not take a virtual trip around the world with these Landmarks. You can see our review here, and all of our puzzle reviews here for more ideas.
6 – Pick and Draw
Pick and Draw if a fun game where you create funny faces based on the cards in the deck. You’ll find that everyone has very different characters using the same cards! To add a learning dimension to the game, add The Big Book of Pick And Draw Activities which combines the cards with areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This is a fun game for ages 3 to adult. Read our reviews on The Big Book of Pick And Draw Activities and The Pick and Draw game, and purchase your own set of cards here and the book here.
7 – Og On The Bog
Og On The Bog is a most hilarious game for children (both in age and/or personality)! You must sneak up on Og the ogre and try to steal his toilet paper without him hearing you….and watch out for his flatulence – it’s enough to blow up his outhouse! Read our review here, and purchase your own game here.
Although we are probably all stressed to different degrees at the moment (as well as in the future), it’s important to not let things you cannot control get control over you. By sitting down and relaxing and having some fun with your family, you can all enjoy each other’s company and create fun memories together that will bond you further. You’ll have something positive to look back to instead of just negativity.
Additional stress-busting fun:
