Getting the whole whānau to turn off their phones and come together for a little quality time may seem like an impossible task for most parents, especially with so many distractions in the home. Coming up with activities the whole family will enjoy can be even harder. If you’re looking for some new ideas to do while at home and fun, here are our top 5 activities from our Hot Spring® Spas team to try at home.
1. Backyard Games
There are few things better than spending time outdoors, getting some exercise, vitamin-D and having fun in the process. That’s why backyard games and activities can be a great way to spend quality time with the whānau. Get creative consider building an obstacle course, organising an egg and spoon race or build a human pyramid to your favourite music. Most backyard activities can be easily adjusted for all ages and skill levels, so you can be sure the whole whānau will have a good time.
Better yet, pitch a tent and experience sleeping under the stars.
Don’t have a backyard? Put chalk to the footpath or deck and play a game of hopscotch or build a cubby house using your dining table with bed sheets.
2. Try A New Hobby
Trying something new can be a wonderful way to connect with whānau because when you learn something together, you create a shared experience without expectations because it’s new for everyone. For your next family activity, try testing out a new hobby like cooking, painting, knitting, baking, or even a dance off in your lounge room. There are endless possibilities, so even if one activity turns out to be a disaster, the next hit may be right around the corner. Who knows? The experiences you have today could become your newest whānau tradition for the future.
3. Cards and Board Games
Who doesn’t love a good board game? While trailing new activities can be a lot fun and exciting, there’s certainly nothing wrong with going with the tried and familiar. Card games and board games have been a Kiwi staple for years because they’re fun, sociable and appeal to our competitive spirit. Old games like Monopoly, Snap, Go Fish, Battleship and Guess Who have all stood the test of time for a good reason. Sharing games that you played as a child can also help bring back fond memories of your childhood as you create new memories with your own children.
If you’re looking for things to do as a whānau on a budget, try going to your local op shop or swapping games with friends. Many Kiwis look to offload old games when their kids move out of the family home. You may have to create new replacements for missing pieces, but that’s just part of the fun!
4. Explore Your Community
It’s no secret, human beings are creatures of habit. We tend to go to the same places, do the same activities, and even order the same meal every time we visit a particular restaurant. Breaking out of the old routine and exploring the community around us can be a great way to form lasting memories with your whānau while having fun in the process. Go check out your local art gallery, visit a new coffee shop or ask for a tour of the closest fire station (you might need to call ahead).
Almost every neighbourhood has that one store that makes you think, “What do they even sell there? How are they still in business?” Go inside and take a look! You may find a hidden gem you never knew about. Not only can these experiences help you form stronger connections with your own whānau, but you may start to forge new relationships within your local community. There’s always something new to discover, and you don’t have to get on a plane to do it. Take a look at your neighbourhood with fresh eyes and you may be surprised by what you discover.
5. Soak In Your Spa Pool
Not every family activity has to involve running around and doing something new. Sometimes it’s best just to sit back, relax and enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company. There may be no better way to do that than to soak in your very own spa pool. A spa pool at home can be a great way to reconnect with your whānau because it provides a distraction-free environment where you all can have real conversations and connect. After as little as 15 minutes of soaking has proven benefits to lower stress levels, soothe muscles, teens may be more willing to open up and share what’s going on in their lives — a far cry from the one-word answers you usually get. Throw in some googles and a snorkel and it can be endless fun for the kids and help wear them out in the process.
For families looking for a way to bond and spend quality time together in the comfort of your own home, a spa pool can be what you’re looking for.
If you’d like to learn more about the amazing wellness benefits a Hot Spring® Spa can bring to your whānau, get in touch with our friendly Hot Spring® team today.
