Charles R. Swindoll said, “Each day of our lives, we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” Some of these deposits are the unavoidable daily routines of early mornings and after-school activities, but dedicating time to a mutual hobby creates family experiences that are worth their weight in gold. These meaningful moments build family bonds, self-esteem in children, and lifelong, legendary memories.
\nSelecting hobbies that will work for your family depends upon what your clan likes as well as what they might need. Looking for a little inspiration? Here are some all-ages hobbies to adopt as a family.
\n \nGet outside. We Calgarians are blessed with our proximity to Kananaskis and the Rocky Mountains. Step into the sunshine and hike, bike, rollerblade, or embark on nature walks. Fishing, camping, and birdwatching are other family-oriented, outdoorsy pastimes to undertake. If your crew needs a little more adventure, go waterfall chasing or geocaching! Gardening in the fresh air or practicing kite-flying skills at one of the city’s picturesque parks are terrific ways to enjoy each other’s company, too. On winter weekends, search for new tobogganing hills or ice skating rinks to try (don’t forget your helmet)! Skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing are also great pursuits that encourage staying active together.
\nLearn a new skill. Learning something new as a unit fosters a unique family bond and is easily adjustable to be age-appropriate. Tackle astronomy by reading books and stargazing, or get out your cameras and pursue photography. Visit the library, go online, or use YouTube to study a new language, or engage in something unusual like magic or puppeteering! Other activities most anyone can do are cooking and baking. Using teamwork, experiment in the kitchen. Learn new techniques and whip up tasty recipes, whether sweet or savory.
\nExplore. Perhaps you’ve never thought of exploring as a hobby, but it’s actually the perfect way to spend time with your loved ones. Think outside the box and play tourist in Calgary – are there any attractions or museums you’ve never experienced before? Alternatively, identify interesting destinations outside the city limits and spend weekend afternoons road-tripping. For example, hop in the car and head to Kirk’s Alpaca Farm or Barrier Lake in Kananaskis. If everyone is agreeable, venture a little further to spots such as stunning Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park.
\nJust play. Playing opens up a world of possibilities, one you’re never too old to participate in! Board games are one of the best hobbies for families. Hasbro Gaming offers junior versions of several classic board games, including but not limited to Monopoly, Life, Yahtzee, and Clue. It’s also easy to grab a pen and paper and dream up your own prompts for Pictionary or Charades. Other popular play-oriented pursuits include: Lego building, making jigsaw puzzles, imaginative play, or card games like family-favorite UNO.
\nUnleash creativity. Does your family have an affinity for music, theatre, dance or the visual arts? These four areas offer oodles of creative opportunities that can be customized into a family hobby. Collect supplies and paint, draw, scrapbook, or sculpt with modeling clay side-by-side. Host weekly family music concerts, dance-offs, or karaoke parties. If theatre is a shared love, indulge in movie-marathons, attend local plays, or craft your own productions at home.
\nGiving back. Volunteering and performing random acts of kindness are both meaningful and wholesome hobbies that can include every family member. Pick up litter in your neighborhood, donate funds from a family-run bake sale to a special charity, or hold a snack drive for Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK). Furthermore, take the time to brainstorm ways to show kindness. For instance, put a smile on someone’s face with a surprise basket of goodies, or help an elderly person carry groceries to their car.
\nSports fandom. Turn game day into an exciting family event. At home, unite in appropriate colors to cheer on your favorite teams. Apply temporary tattoos or face paint, and practice good sportsmanship. Moreover, don’t forget to lay out everyone’s preferred finger foods and appetizers!
\nOn the other hand, if you’re able to splurge a little, attend live games in person. It’s not necessary to break the bank to do so. For example, take in a Calgary Hitmen or Wranglers hockey game at the Saddledome. Football aficionados can buy tickets in the Family Fun Zone at McMahon Stadium to watch the Calgary Stampeders. Another excellent option is to catch a University of Calgary Dinos game – watch football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, or hockey at a discounted family rate. The electric atmosphere of live sports is contagious, and can be so much fun at any age.
\nA joint family passion is a worry-free way to turn quality time into lifelong memories. Whether your offspring are preschoolers or teens, spending time together will forever be precious and irreplaceable.
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Born in the prairies, Stephanie has lived in both Canada and the U.S. She is a mother, cancer survivor, cat lover, and avid traveler. Stephanie is the creator of the family travel blog, Next Family Getaway, nextfamilygetaway.com, where she shares trip ideas and travel advice for those traveling with kids.
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