FAMILY NIGHT: TAKE A BREAK FROM THE FRENZY (K-3) When was the last time your whole family was in the same place at the same time? For many families today, free time is a precious commodity. And as the school year begins, even more demands are placed on parents and children. Despite increasingly hectic schedules, it is essential for families to designate time to spend together. A great way to ensure quality family time is to plan a family night when everyone sets aside other obligations and comes together, even for just a few hours. “Family nights are true quality time between a parent and a child,” says Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D., vice president of education for Sylvan Learning Center. “All of the research shows that quality time among families helps children learn parents’ values and it brings everyone closer. Anytime you can make an educational experience fun, you are helping your child develop a love for learning.” Here are 10 suggestions for a fun and memorable family night: Play a board game. Traditional board games promote interaction and help children develop a sense of sportsmanship and patience. Patch Products (www.patchproducts.com) offers a wide selection of games for young players. Try Petcha Didn’t Know® to increase your knowledge of the animal kingdom. Then visit www.millionminute.com to join the Million Minute Family Challenge. The goal is to get 1,000 families in each of the 50 states to play a board game together for 20 minutes or more this September through December. “I always tell parents ‘don’t get intimidated by all the toys, software and electronic games in the toy store,’” Bavaria says. “Sometimes the simplest board games, puzzles and coloring books can be the most beneficial because they promote thinking and social time with your child.” Plant a garden. Gardening will increase your child’s appreciation of nature. Caring for the garden is an activity your family can return to time and again throughout the year. Write a family story book. Purchase a blank book or bind your own if you’re really resourceful. Have your child create the characters, plot and illustrations. Leave the story open-ended so that she can add on to it over time. Visit a fire station. This is a perfect way for children to learn about fire safety and experience the excitement of fire trucks and real firefighters. Make your own birdfeeder. Give each child a pinecone with a piece of yarn tied around the top. Cover the cracks of the pinecone with peanut butter, and then roll the pinecone in birdseed. Hang it outside. Once the birds start visiting, pick up a bird guide and have your child try to identify all of her feathered friends. Play dress-up. Let your imagination run wild. Allow your children to choose your outfit and role in their imaginary world. Plan a treasure hunt. Find a small “treasure” that your child will enjoy. Hide the treasure somewhere in your house or yard, and design a map for your him to use. Have a picnic. Venture out to a nearby park or beach. Let your child select the entrees and help with the preparations. Play croquet. Enjoy a classic yard game and some healthy family competition. Have a family campout. Set up a tent in the backyard, and enjoy the great outdoors. Spook each other with ghost stories, and learn about constellations. By Heidi Neuzil