Planning the Perfect Family Night

Summer’s a great time for togetherness. So bring the whole family together to enjoy each other’s company, as well as fun activities, tasty snacks, and plenty of laughs.

1. Indoor Beach Party – Bring the beach to you! It’s easy:
   • Make tropical punch.
   • Serve tropical foods.
   • Set up beach towels (and inflatable palm trees, if you want).
   • Play some Luau music.
   • Watch a Hawaiian movie (we think Elvis made a few).
2. Campout in the Yard – Skip the long drive, avoid the bears and poison ivy, and just go camping out under the stars right in your own backyard.
   • Set up a tent and roll out the sleeping bags.
   • If your city permits, have a small bonfire and roast marshmallows.
   • Tell funny or scary stories.
   • Stay up way too late.
3. DIY Drive-In Movie Night (and Popcorn Bar!) – Create “cars” out of cardboard boxes. Fill them with pillows so they’re nice and comfy, turn out the lights, and turn on a favorite flick. For the popcorn bar, your kids will love creating their own combination. Set out small bowls with a variety of toppings, such as:
   • Dark chocolate or carob chips
   • Shredded cheese
   • Spice mixes
   • Dried fruit
   • Mixed nuts
4. Minute to Win It Game Night – You can play your favorite board games, or you can have lightning round family competitions with these quick, simple challenge games.
   • Move M&Ms from one plate to another using only a straw.
   • Try moving a cookie from your cheek to your mouth—without using your hands.
   • Pick up marshmallows with chopsticks and place them in a bowl.
   • Stack 25 pennies using only one hand.
   • Hold a popsicle stick in your mouth and see who can stack and balance the most dice on the end of it.
5. Pizza Party – Everybody loves a good slice of pie—especially pizza pie! Younger kids love choosing toppings and putting them on the pizza. Older kids can help measure ingredients and even cut up some toppings. Make a kid pizza and an adult pizza, so you can try different flavor combinations. Or find a recipe for dessert pizza, for a whole pie-themed night!

Can’t decide what to do tonight? Take these suggestions (and any of your own), write them on popsicle sticks, and put them in a jar. Take turns selecting sticks to find out what you’ll be doing on your own family fun night!