1. Volunteer together: Take a cue from your child's interests. If your child likes dogs, volunteer at an animal shelter. To search by interest, go to generationon.org for volunteering opportunities near you.
2. Watch all your old home movies
3. Kick the can: Games that put everyone on a level playing field, such as boccie ball, croquet, capture the flag, and kick the can. These games are customizable to age and ability. For more, go to bluearth.org.
4. Make a time capsule: Include the big stuff (artwork, school reports, notes to future selves) and the little (movie stubs, a printout of a Facebook page, a toy with its batteries removed so they don't corrode). Don't include technology that won't stand the test of time, and make sure to include a silica-gel packet. Store them in an archival box, and keep the box in a cool place. Don't bury it; everything will be soggy.
5. Plant something: Surefire plants such as zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and bush beans are the best options. Use a one-by-two foot self-watering planter, and let your cofarmer handle the watering and harvesting. You may pull out more of your fair share of weeds, but it may convince your children to eat a vegetable.
6. Run (or walk) a 5K
7. Get cooking: Teach your kids an old family recipe. Kneading dough is a great activity for kids who love Play-Doh.
8. Go to the movies and see a double feature
9. Create self-portraits: Insights into how your child views themselves. Preserve the results for future posterity.
10. Take a trip with just one child; no siblings allowed
11. Go camping
12. Explore your family tree: Turning genealogy into a game of detective can help them get excited about family history. They can make a cardstock tree or ancestor trading cards.
13. Visit the places where Mom and Dad grew up
14. Start a family book club: Choose stories that appeal to all ages, such as Roald Dahl. Even better if there is a movie version that you can watch when you are finished.
15. Go on a scavenger hunt: Clues that are open to interpretation are more fun for them and less competitive.
16. Make up a song
17. Take a stay-cation: Get day-trip ideas from your local tourism bureau, and take a break from responsibilities and chores.
18. Save up money and do something special with it
19. Build something: Step by step instructions from websites like builtbykids.com can help guide you. Keep the projects age appropriate, and be flexible with material choices.
20. Spend the weekend unplugged from TV's, computers, phones, and gaming devices.
21. Build a fort
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