Family Day fun: How to have an awesome long weekend with your family

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Family, is everything. And on the third Monday in February, we have the chance to take a breather from our busy lives, to enjoy a long weekend with the ones we love.

What will you be doing with your family this holiday? Have you even thought about it? With the winter weather still unpredictable as ever, making wholesome plans for your little ones can be daunting.

All this pressure to execute the perfect day can make any guardian nervous. But don’t worry, because below you will find three family-approved activities, to make any child smile, regardless of age.

Outdoor fun
Some of us love the winter months. And some, can’t wait for Jack Frost to retire for the year. Regardless of your perspective, February’s end marks only one-month until spring graces us with its presence.

So let us enjoy the activities that winter has to offer, while we still can.

Snow volcano
Such a fun activity for kids of all ages. Who doesn’t like making things explode? This easy snow-craft can be done with just a few items, which you might already have in your pantry.

You will need:

• 2 tbsp of baking powder (bicarbonate of soda)
• 1 tbsp of dish soap
• A few drops of red food coloring (or whichever color you like!)
• 2 tbsp of vinegar
• Snow
• Small plastic container

Combine all ingredients, except for the vinegar, into your container.

Form a volcano using snow around your container.

Next, it’s time for the big finale. Have your family stand back while you add the vinegar to your container. The vinegar and baking powder will react to create an explosion, (remember high school science class?) that can be any color of your choosing.

Volcano not erupting? Add a little bit more dish soap and vinegar and carefully give your lava a stir.

Indoor fun
Unpredictable, cold weather is not for everyone - and that’s okay! There’s still plenty of relaxing fun to have indoors.

Family movie night, DIY spa day, charades or maybe a board game…. your family has many indoor activity options. But if you’re looking to bring the outdoors inside during these cold, winter days, why not invite some winter-approved birds into your yard?

Toilet paper roll bird feeder
It’s truly amazing how many beautiful birds there are. Thankfully for us, not all fly south for the winter. You can enjoy your colorful visitors from the comfort of your livingroom. All you need to do, is give them a reason to visit.

There are many birds whose feathers have made it possible for them to survive in low temperatures. Birds such as:

• House finches
• House Sparrows
• Tufted Titmice
• American Goldfinches
• Pine Siskins
• Downy Woodpeckers
• Black-capped Chickadees
• Northern Cardinals
• Dark-eyed Juncos
• American Robins
• European Starlings

One way to attract birds to your yard is to make a bird feeder. While outside enjoying the snow, you and your family can scout out the best trees to hang your DIY toilet paper roll bird feeder.

You will need:

• Toilet paper rolls (as many as you like)
• Peanut butter or honey
• A spatula
• Bird seed
• Twine/ribbon
• Hole punch
• Chop sticks or bamboo skewers
• Newspaper (to keep the mess at bay)

To make this simple bird feeder, begin by laying out newspaper. Punch two-holes into the top of your toilet paper roll. This is where you will use twine or ribbon to hang-up your finished bird feeder. Punch four holes at the bottom of your roll, to insert your chop sticks or bamboo skewers once ready.

Next, choose whether you will be making your bird feeder with peanut butter or honey.

Regardless of which one you use, spread the peanut butter or honey liberally over your toilet paper roll. Use your spatula to cover the cardboard.

Having dispensed your chosen bird seed onto the flat newspaper, roll your toilet paper roll over the bird seed.

Allow some time for the honey/peanut butter to harden and adhere to the bird seed. Then, punch the chosen sticks through the bottom four-holes, for the birds to sit on while snacking. Create a handle with your twine/ribbon at the top of you bird feeder. Now, you’re ready to hang you’re DIY toilet paper roll-bird feeder outside.

Position some chairs in front of your window from the comfort of your living, and enjoy visits from one of nature’s most beautiful creatures. Take some wintery photos with snow-dressed trees in the background. You’ll love remembering such calm days when winter becomes only a memory come mid-year.

Whether your family chooses to enjoy outdoor winter activities, or prefers indoor fun, we can all agree that a long weekend is much needed. Cherish the memories that you and your loved ones will make and remember, summer is only four-months away!