Outdoor activities are on the decline these days, but that’s no reason to follow the trend. Organizing family games and sports will help keep your family fit and close-knit.

One of our favorite outdoor games is tossing the Frisbee – it’s cheap, portable, and of course, fun. Make your Frisbee play family-oriented with this game:

Team Frisbee

First, divide family members into two teams. If possible ask your kids’ friends and/or neighbor’s kids to join you. Ideally, you’’ll have four players on each side (but you can always play with less).

Next, raw a court in the backyard of your house (you can use chalk, draw a line in the dirt, or just use objects as boundaries). Your court should be similar in size to a badminton court.

Line up each team inside of their own respective end zones. Flip a coin to see which team starts on offense. The goal is to throw the Frisbee into the other team’s goal without going out-of-bounds, or letting the Frisbee touch the ground. First team to reach eleven points wins.

Have Fun!

Having fun with your family doesn’t have to be expensive. The simple things in life are often the most fun and rewarding. We’ve put together a list of our favorite family entertainment ideas – activities that will keep you happier and healthier in 2009. Enjoy!

1. Hiking is a healthy way to spend time as a family, but if you’d rather not invest in hiking equipment, a family walk is a great substitute. Find a fun spot near your home, like a large park, riverside, or promenade. Enjoy your surroundings with the people you love.
2. Rediscover your inner artist, and start drawing with your kids. Art is a great communication tool, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can learn about your children.
3. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, craft with your kids to create friendship boxes, greetings cards, and beautiful gift wraps. Paper crafting only requires a few inexpensive materials.
4. Turn your house into a playhouse. Invite over your friends and neighbors and have the kids perform short plays and skits. The kid’s will have a ball and you’ll have plenty of time to socialize.
5. Develop a habit of reading and writing with your kids. Writing stories is an ideal way to stretch your kid’s imagination.Try setting a target of writing one story every week and complete it by the weekend. Take turns reading your stories aloud to one another.
6. If it’s snowing outside, there is no better way to celebrate winter other than building snowmen, igloos, and snow forts.
7. Look for free or reduced admissions at local museums and zoos (often once per week). This is a great way to actively teach your kids, and to find out what they’re interested in. To beat the frugal crowds, always try and arrive when the doors open.

Taking your family on an adventure-packed vacation is one of the best things in life. Unfortunately, today’s economic realities are making it difficult to find a vacation spot that is both amazing and affordable.. But don’t lose heart, there are still some gems out there.

One of our favorites…

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, Tennessee offers scenic beauty with a cultural favor. Gatlinburg is a picturesque town set within the romantic backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. Activities are seemingly endless, from go-carting and helicopter rides to camping and hiking – your family will never run out of adventures. The town is also home to several chapels, museums and Ripley’s Aquarium and Believe It Or Not Museum.

If you’re feeling tired, you can always spend a day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is on the fringes of the town, and is sure to rejuvenate you with breathtaking vistas, wildlife and unpolluted natural beauty. And if you want to make a night of it, the mountain is dotted with chalets.

If arts and crafts are your thing, pay a visit to the Great Smoky Art & Craft Community village where you can watch the skillful artists at work. You‘re likely to find some excellent artworks for sale, including pottery, woodcrafts and paintings. If you’re in a bargain-hunting mood, drive a few minutes to Pigeon Forge or Sevierville – two towns robust in shopping outlets.

Gatlinburg is best visited from July to October, as the small town comes alive with successive events and festivals like the Craftsmen’s Fair, Harvest Festival, Winter Festival and more. So start planning now!

The easiest (and most inexpensive) way to strengthen your family is to share time at home. While Disneyland and family vacations may be nice, truly successful families are able to create fun while spending little to no money. Here are some proven family entertainment ideas that you can use today:

• Turn your living room in to a movie theater. Draw the window curtains, prepare healthy snacks (like popcorn), and sit close with your kids as you watch your favorite DVDs.
• Buy, (or better yet build) colorful kites. Kite flying is a great outdoor activity that encourages healthy living in kids (it’s surprisingly physical).
• Gardening and planting can be fun for kids if you pitch it to them right. Try assigning an area of the garden to every member in the family. Kids love to feel like they’re helping out (teenagers…not so much).

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask your children for activity suggestions from time to time. They’ll probably suggest Disneyland, but they might surprise you. 

The holidays are over. Notice, I didn’t say “the holidays are finally over (sigh of relief)”.

True, the holidays can be hectic, but most of us don’t get much to spend with our family and friends. So why not plan a gathering with friends and family on your own terms..?

During the winter we spend most of our time indoors, so keeping your home free from clutter is especially important – it will put you in the right state of mind to entertain. You can even take things a step further and accent your home with simple decorative items. (sigh of comfort)

Now for the preparations. First make a guest list – and give everyone at least three weeks notice from the time you send invitations (I mean Evites…who am I kidding). Plan your menu well in advance and make sure you have all of the basics. If you need extra plates, glasses, bowls, spoons, napkins etc – now is the time to get them.

Housekeeping plays a very important role when entertaining. Clean the house a day before your event. If you clean earlier, you’ll get stuck doing it again. But if you wait until the last minute, you’ll be sweaty and exasperated when your guests arrive.

Decorate your house with lights, flowers and candles. If your children have made any craft work, put it out for your friends and family to comment on. This will encourage your children and it is a great way to show your love, care and affection towards them.

Follow these simple steps, and the night should go off without a hitch. And with a little luck, someone else will entertain next time (sigh):D