Life has definitely proven to be different these days. While most people are spending more time at home than ever before, that doesn’t mean what you can do is limited. Utilize every space in your home! You can have lots of fun in the kitchen, living room, backyard and garage. Here are four fun ways to enjoy time at home with your kids and our favorite ways to snack along the way.
Backyard Picnics
Skip having breakfast, lunch or dinner at the table and take it outdoors. It’s easy to re-create this chic picnic using items you already have at home. Grab a blanket, the throw pillows from your couch or bed, and an ottoman or toy box for your table. If you have kids they may have a teepee or tent in their room, but if they don’t you can still have as nice a picnic without one – it just adds some shade for hot days. This picnic can even be set up in your living room if you don’t have a backyard! Don’t think you have to have an extravagant charcuterie board – you can keep it simple. This picnic included sandwiches, fruit, dessert and blue lemonade – nothing too fancy but still fun. Our girls love to bake, so they made brownies and added walnuts on top to give them the perfect crunch! Don’t forget the entertainment: bring out the board games or cards so you have something to do after you’ve finished eating.
Baking Simple Recipes
With more time at home it’s the perfect opportunity to take it slow and get kids involved in the kitchen. Since many baking recipes don’t require sharp knives and time over the stove, it’s a great way to introduce the little ones to cooking.
Start with a simple recipe like these Homemade Chocolate Walnut Brownies. Just gather all the ingredients the recipe calls for, cracking the eggs ahead of time, and put everything in its own bowl. Now your kids can mix everything easily and independently. When they’re done, you will all get the sweet treat you’ve been craving but with a nutritious twist.
Pre- or Post-Workout Snacks
Healthy habits are formed from a young age, so why not get the whole family working out together? There are so many family and kid workouts available online, it’s easy to find something everyone can enjoy. You can get two- or five-pound weights for the little ones, allowing them to mimic Mommy and Daddy and not feel like they are missing out on any part of the workout.
A handful of California walnuts is the perfect light pre-workout snack or a great way to rejuvenate your body after kicking it into high gear. They are nutritious and have both good fats and fiber. Walnuts also have protein (4g per ounce), which is very important after working out!
Indoor Camping
What’s the easiest way to turn a regular night at home into an exciting one? Indoor camping! Pitch your tent in your living room and have the joys of camping without the bugs or campground bathrooms. You can still keep it as authentic by skipping the blow-up mattress and whipping out your sleeping bags.
Pretend you’re in the wilderness and see how long your family can avoid using electronics. I promise your kids will survive. Your family can stay up all night telling spooky stories, playing board games and eating camping snacks. Who knows, maybe they’ll even ask to go real camping!
No matter how you choose to spend your days at home, add California Walnuts to your snacks to fuel your fun!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by California Walnuts. However, all opinions are my own.
