things to do Archives - What You Make It

April 23, 2018

#dateyourtown bingo: a fun way to explore your home town

April 23, 2018

You might recall that this blog came out of a time in my life when I was not happy about where I lived. I’ve always been a big city kind of girl. But we live in smallish city, pretty much in the country. It’s still an adjustment.

For a while, all I could do was see all the things that weren’t going on in our town. But things changed when I decided to start looking at the things we do have. And the longer I live here, the more things I find about it to love.

Ever find yourself in that situation? Feeling constant wanderlust, or like the grass is always greener somewhere else? Do things feel old or boring where you live? Maybe it’s time for you to #dateyourtown. This is a challenge to find or rediscover the place you call home.

I wrote a previous post about finding things to do in your town. But I thought I would up the ante, and share a way for you to try new things and keep track of them all. Meet #dateyourtown Bingo! If you score Bingo, you win 50 virtual hugs and 100 virtual high fives from me. Because you deserve it.

Click here to download the Bingo card, and make sure you post and tag your adventures using the hashtag #dateyourtown!

September 27, 2017

50 things to do together in autumn

September 27, 2017

Four years ago, I wrote a post called, “50 Things to Do (Other Than Movies)“. And I guess I’m not the only person who can be at a loss for fun activities to do with friends and family. Because people still love that post. In fact, most people who visit the blog come to check out that list. There are more ideas I’ve added since then.

But I haven’t yet put one together for fall. It’s hard, because most of my best-laid plans for fall typically stop at a pumpkin spice latte, a few decorations, and maybe carving a pumpkin. We always dress up for Halloween, and we always watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. But most of my creative plans for fall get lost in the shuffle of everything going on this season. (Although to be fair, two out of the past three years have included pregnancy and newborns. But still.)

This year, I have lots of hopes for apple picking, bonfires, and more fun. If you’re fresh out of plans for date nights, family time, or bonding opportunities with roommates or friends, here are some ideas:

1. Attend a fall festival. There are a lot – ones at churches, local orchards and farms, downtown. Check out a community calendar for ones nearby.

2. Have a photo shoot in a pumpkin patch or sunflower field. Make it serious for frame-able photos, or spoof some sentimental shoots for funny memories.

3. Pull together old clothes or grab a few at Goodwill and stuff your own scarecrow for decoration. (Or practical use?)

4. Host a seasonal cooking competition. See which of your friends can bake the best pie, brew the best cider, or whip up the best chili.

5. Have a Farmer’s Market Dash. Set a budget, and go out and purchase random items from a Farmer’s Market, without telling the other/s what you’re getting. Then pool your ingredients and come up with dinner or a dessert.

6. Rake and play in the leaves like kids (or with your kids). This was one of my fondest memories last year – simple, but special.

7. (For the adults.) Attend an Oktoberfest and try some new brews. Or have friends over and each bring a different one to try.

8. Raid the dollar store for fall or Halloween decor, and prank a neighbor or friend by decorating their front porch.

9. Attend a college football game, and tailgate ahead of time.

10. Go to Goodwill, set a budget and a time limit, and put together the absolute best costume you can. Furthermore, get other customers to vote on which costume is the best.

11. Tell spooky stories around a bonfire.

12. Make your own doughnuts. (Pinterest has so many recipes.)

13. Have a corn hole competition.

14. Finally learn the Thriller dance. Or try some square dancing out for size.

15. Have a dinner with friends where everyone makes a different part of the meal. Each meal must contain one specific seasonal ingredient. Make it the same for every part of the meal, or offer an unexpected different one for each, for an extra challenge.

16. Hold a classic scary movie night. (Okay, okay, this one’s a movie idea, but classic scary movies are the best!)

17. Host an Ugly Flannel Fall Party, or an Ugly Halloween Shirt Party. (In the style of the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.)

18. Celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival by making mooncakes. (Find a recipe for traditional or a different flavors online.)

19. Go to an amusement park that celebrates fall and/or Halloween.

20. Put together a playlist of songs that remind you of fall, and use it as background music for any of the other activities.

21. Play on a school playground (when school is out of session, of course).

22. Make a candy apple buffet, with caramel and fudge fondue, and all of your favorite toppings.

23. Grab some inexpensive face paint and try your hand at some funny, artistic, or creepy makeup. (Again, Pinterest has some ideas.)

24. Make your own tied or trimmed fleece blankets.

25. Take a ghost tour in or near your town. Or go through a haunted house, if you prefer.

26. Create a delicious fall-themed Chex Mix / Puppy Chow. (What do you call it?) Or Trail Mix, if you’re less into sweets.

27. Find ways to decorate pumpkins that do not involve carving or painting. Get creative!

28. Browse small bookshops and relax at local coffee shops for a few hours or the whole day.

29. Take a road trip to another town or city, and see how they’re celebrating fall.

30. Decorate a mug or a planter with a sugar skull pattern, leaf pattern, or another seasonal item.

31. Make it your mission to find the best view in town – which can come by either driving or hiking. Or look up the best spots for fall foliage viewing nearby.

32. Play glow-in-the-dark outdoor games.

33. Do a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or town for the best fall decor, pumpkins, leaves, pumpkin spice latte, and whatever you can come up with.

34. Catch a seasonal or creepy play or musical.

35. Take an art class at your local arts and crafts store, which are usually inexpensive and seasonal.

36. Enjoy an outdoor concert, and bring a picnic.

37. Make fall wreaths or garlands for decoration.

38. Build a pumpkin launcher and try it out!

39. Go to a candy store, and pick out a variety of candies. Then go home and swap them with friends. (We used to do that during Halloween – anyone else?)

40. Serve in a food kitchen, make Thanksgiving baskets, or do a food drive, as a way of helping others during this harvest time of year.

41. Check out the nearest hot air balloon festival, which is popular this time of year.

42. In honor of school starting, learn something new together. Or learn something new individually, and come together to show off your new skills.

43. Visit a farm, and do all the farm things. Milk a cow, pick apples, pet the animals, you name it.

44. Go through clothes from the summer, and put them away. Sell or donate the unused, or figure out how you can wear them in fall.

45. (For adults.) Go on a winery tour, take a trip and hit up a few vineyards, or invite friends over to sample some at home.

46. Do an art project using fallen leaves. Decorate a jar, put them on a canvas, frame them, make them into a garland, or come up with another idea.

47. Do a run, relay, or other fundraiser. There are probably many in your area come fall!

48. Get a case of 12 mason jars, and fill them with something seasonal and homemade (maybe cider, hot chocolate, cookie mix, a candle, applesauce, etc). And then distribute to friends!

49. Same idea as above, except decorate them instead.

50. Make cinnamon apple chips or roasted pumpkin seeds.

What fall activities do you love? Leave some in the comments below!

Also, check out my Autumn board on Pinterest for more ideas and inspiration.

November 18, 2016

50 things to do together with your toddler

November 18, 2016

As a stay-at-home mom, it’s not about filling up the day. I can keep us pretty busy, since cleaning up the house, meals, errands, baths, naps, cooking, and all of that take up enough time. But filling it up with fun things for my toddler to do? While not watching TV all day? Now that’s rather a challenge.

And especially being pregnant. The whole first half I was super sick, and since the beginning, it’s been so exhausting. Consequently, I would rather lay on the couch all day than do fun things with my little guy. But I feel bad keeping him cooped up in the house for hours. And I’m not opposed to some TV time, but I don’t want him watching it all day.

Luckily we have a few staple activities that seem to work time and time again. Furthermore, they are generally free or inexpensive. They are also not all that complicated, and you don’t have to have lots of fancy toys or complicated games.

So this is a list for the stay-at-home mom who may need a few more ideas, although I’m sure most of you are experts in this already! Some of you will shake your heads for one reason or another, thinking this is way too complicated or way too easy, and that’s okay. It’s also for someone, maybe a babysitter or family member, who is spending a day or two with a little one.

1. Visit the library. Books to read, comfy places to sit, and also usually a play area for the kids, too.

2. Run around in the backyard. Crispy leaves and sticks are just as entertaining as toys!

3. Color. Color Wonder markers are my new fave because they don’t mark on anything but the paper.

4. Head to Chik-fil-a (or another restaurant with a play place).

5. Watch airplanes take off and land at the airport. This probably sounds really strange, but my little guy just loves it. Also, it doesn’t cost anything to sit in the drop off zone.

6. Play at the Thomas the Train table at Barnes and Noble. (It probably doesn’t seem like it, but we could spend hours there.)

5. Bath time. While it is entertaining for them, it also serves a purpose!

6. Try out a sensory station. It’s rather easy even without a specific table for it – grab a bucket, fill up with water or beans or sand, add some cups and toys.

7. Head to the museum. Many museums have free admission, at least for kids, or special days or activities that are free.

8. Set up a play date with another family. It’s always fun to visit a new place, play with friends, and try out some different toys.

9. Bake something together (or almost)! Even if all they can do is dump the chocolate chips in the cookie mix. Or eat the chocolate chips.

10. Look up local story times and activities. (Think the library, bookstores, community centers, etc.)

11. Build something with blocks or boxes.

12. Give them a huge cardboard box and some crayons and let them go to town decorating it. You can maybe make it a rocket ship, car, or boat.

13. Go to the playground, and don’t be afraid to be a kid yourself.

14. Take a hike or just a walk around the neighborhood, pointing out cool things in nature along the way.

15. Pull out the broom and sweep together! My little guy loves to grab the mop and “help”.

16. Turn up some music and have a dance party!

17. Take out some sidewalk chalk and go to town. Because it washes off, we’re not worried about coloring the bricks on our house, the path leading up to the house, stairs, etc.

18. Read a story and figure out how to bring it to life! Act out a Bible store, or make green eggs and ham after reading the book, etc.

19. Practice fine motor skills and explore colors with string and fruit loops (or pasta if you have that).

20. Make your own play dough. This one is edible (and actually sounds tasty!) and only has a few ingredients.

21. Finger paint. Or take it a step further and find something fun to paint with to make different shapes or textures. You can probably think of some options – I’d say styrofoam cups, cotton balls, sponges, soda bottles, etc.

22. Bath time, except for plastic toy animals, plastic food, or other non-soft toys.

23. Dress up! Whether it’s a full-out princess dress, or a towel around the neck as a superhero’s cape, it’s fun either way.

24. Phone a friend or family member. We love video calling friends and family.

25. Create a track for trains and cars to follow. You can build one with materials you have (a few paper towel tubes would be fun!), use masking tape, or draw one out on a large sheet of paper.

26. Make a pizza together. Give them options for toppings the can choose from, and then let them help put them on the pizza.

27. Have them help with seasonal decor. This fall we have painted pumpkins, written things we’re thankful for on a foam leaf wreath, and made bats out of toilet paper tubes.

28. Read a book, and go through it interactively. Help them locate animals they know, ask them questions, point out colors or letters.

29. Try yoga or some kind of exercise together. YouTube is a great resource for this.

30. Build a fort out of pillows, blankets, using chairs and tables.

31. Have them “cook” with you or for you. While you may be able to have a whole kitchen set-up complete with pots and fake food, a real bowl and wooden spoon, maybe some measuring cups, work wonders.

32. Find a spot near a semi-busy road and identify different cars, trucks, colors, and sounds.

33. Visit the mall or store. There’s a play place, but surprisingly, my little guy is not a big fan. Instead, we walk around looking at what’s on display or the decorations.

34. Build an obstacle course for them to climb around. Again, doesn’t have to be complicated. Some pillows, cardboard boxes, blankets – all these would make for a fun short course.

35. Pick something to sort by color. Maybe it’s toy trains, dolls, food, etc.

36. Garden together. This can be a range of things, including planting flowers or seeds, or just digging and then filling up the hole again.

37. Take a trip to the pet store. There are usually dogs and cats to wave at, and fish and other animals to watch.

38. Grab a book of stickers (large ones without complicated shapes work great), and create a scene on a piece of construction paper or a coloring sheet with a basic background.

39. Make moon sand, which seems so easy and fun!

40. Blow bubbles.

41. Fill and spill, as a friend says. Give them a bucket or bin, and something to fill it with and spill out (like toys).

42. Do something repetitive, like bouncing a ball back and forth, or racing cars. It’s simple, but occupying!

43. Figure out what kinds of things around the house can be musical instruments, and make some noise!

44. Have a picnic, indoors or outdoors! Non-messy snack food is probably your best option.

45. Make some homemade washable paint, and let your kids go to town on a big glass sliding door; then teach them the fun of cleaning it up! (Window clings are a fun, easy option, too.)

46. Sing songs together. You can always look some up, but I’m sure you know more than you think – Old MacDonald, The Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Itsy Bitsy Spider, etc.

47. Visit a farmer’s market, fair or festival.

48. Find a spot on a river or lake where you can feed ducks and watch fish.

49. These play dough activity mats are genius!

50. Do something seasonal together, like visit the pumpkin patch, go ice skating, go to the beach, etc.

So those are things that pretty much keep us going throughout the week, and changing it up everyday keeps it interesting! And now, experts, your turn: what creative ideas do you have for fun things to do together with your toddler?

June 8, 2016

50 things to do together over the summer

June 8, 2016

(Includes affiliate links.)

Cheers to a new “Things to Do” post! It all started with 50 Things to Do Together (Other Than Watching A Movie) – because my husband and I were pretty burnt out from sitting on the couch every night and watching TV. It goes against my theory (or maybe supports it?) that life is only as exciting and fulfilling as you make it (see blog name).

It started as a list of date ideas, but the more I wrote, the more I realized they are things anyone can do together – married couples, boyfriends and girlfriends, roommates, families. It seems like a lot of people are looking for bonding and exciting things to do together.

So today’s version is 50 things to do together over the summer! If there’s any time to get out and do something adventurous and out of your normal routine, it’s summertime.

Oh, and just so you don’t throw around the “I don’t have any money” excuse, I’m including plenty of ways to do these things, for whatever budget you’re on.

Get ready to make some amazing memories this summer, with these ideas:

1. Go to the pool. Get a membership, get a guest pass, make friends with someone who has one, sneak into a neighborhood pool (just kidding…maybe…), whatever you have to do. For bonus points, get an amazing pool float.

2. No pool available? Get creative, elementary school-style – set up a sprinkler, or get a kiddie pool and dip your feet (pretend it’s the ocean).

3. Invent-your-own tropical drink, with various juices and fruit (alcohol optional for ages 21+).

4. Give yourselves the spa treatment with cooling products – here’s some DIYs to try: Whipped Coconut Oil Cooling Lotion; Cucumber Mint Facial Mask; All-Natural Mists. Or you can BIY (buy it yourself): Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion.

5. Go to a local festival. There are tons of concert series, day-long festivals, weekly events. Try looking up a community calendar.

6. Got a whole bunch of baggy t-shirts? “Upcycle” or refashion them into something cooler (literally or figuratively): No Sew CrissCross Back T-Shirt; Kimono; T-Shirt to Tank Top; Makeover Oversize T-Shirts; T-Shirt Headband. Not your thing? Tie-dye is always a fun option!

7. Go star-gazing. We did this in my hubby’s pick-up truck in the country, and just enjoyed the peaceful moment. You can even do your research ahead of time and look for specific constellations or comets. Or just watch for shooting stars.

8. Play on the playground! One of our favorite games in the campus ministry was “Grounders” – one person is “It”, and counts to 10 (or so), while everyone else positions themselves on the playset. The person who is It has to keep their eyes closed and feel their way around the playset, trying to tag people. At any time, It can call out “Grounders!”, and everyone who is touching the ground is out. Anyone who is out can be It with the first person, or can sit out, until the very last person, who becomes It in the next round. This is better for older kids, since it can be tricky getting around the playset with your eyes closed.

9. Watch a local baseball or soccer game. We went to a friend’s soccer game the other night, and had fun chasing the kids and watching the action.

10. Go to a drive-in theatre! None around? Check out community events and see if anyone is doing an outdoor movie night. Lots of churches and libraries opt to do these over the summer (for free!). Usually it’s okay to bring snacks – pick up your faves at the dollar store on your way.

11. Make some iced coffee, and keep it on standby in the fridge. Here’s one great way to do it! Try different creamers to make different yummy flavors.

12. Have a picnic at a park or by a creek.

13. Build a bonfire. Make sure you know that it’s okay where you live. Also fire pits are inexpensive to buy or build. Plus you have to get yourself some s’mores (“How can I have s’more? I haven’t had any yet!” “You’re killing me, Smalls!” Name that movie.)

14. Drive to the beach, lake or river. We have a lake nearby with a community park, that has a small fee to sit on the beach and swim. Many rivers and lakes offer boats, kayaks, paddle boats, or floats.

15. Take a walk or hike.

16. Enjoy a farmer’s market – try new treats, get some of your groceries there, buy flowers!

17. Sidewalk chalk your whole driveway/patio/whatever. Get artsy! It’s cheap, and easy to clean.

18. Go camping. Even if it’s just in your backyard. Or pick a state park to visit – it’s an inexpensive way to get out of town.

19. Hold a yard sale! It’s the season to clear out old junk, and plus make a little cash for more summer fun.

20. Get some sparklers for some nighttime outdoor fun. If you have a DSLR camera, use it to capture “writing” or designs with the sparklers – here’s a great tutorial.

21. Watch the sunrise or sunset – whichever is prettier where you live 😉

22. Have a squirt gun fight. Take it up a level by leaving a squirt gun where the other person/people can find it, and then hide with your own! Want even more? Invite a family over for dinner, and do the same thing, hiding in the backyard.

23. Hammock. (Is that a verb?) Grab a book, tie up your hammock, and just chill. Or take a nap. That’s a good option, too.

24. Wash your car – cool off and check something off your to-do list at the same time!

25. Have a glow party. Glow sticks are cheap and make for fun after-dark activities. Try glow in the dark bubbles, capture the flag, and bowling.

26. See who can make the best ice cream sundae, or ice cream flavor with a base of vanilla ice cream plus any mix-in you want, cold stone style. Or try making ice cream! No Ziploc bag required. (Here’s a recipe for no-churn + mix-ins.)

27. Or save that ice cream and have a “float party” – get a whole bunch of different kinds of sodas, and maybe a couple flavors of ice cream. Don’t forget a straw!

28. Start a pick-up game of touch football, ultimate frisbee, soccer, or whatever at a local park. Meet some new people!

29. Build an outdoor fort or treehouse – love these easy directions. Here’s an easy cloth nook too, but it might be better inside.

30. One of my favorite things to do at summer camp was the shaving cream fight. If you have a place where you can do it without causing trouble, grab some cans of shaving cream and clobber each other!

31. Try gardening. Start with an herb garden if you’re new; or tackle vegetables if you’re ready for something more advanced. (We’re an herb garden kind of family…)

32. Grab a table outside at a new or favorite restaurant. Or eat on the porch or in the backyard, just to switch things up. Or host a backyard dinner with friends!

33. Make your own popsicles. Use pureed fruit, fruit juice (I like limeade) or coconut water, and add fruit. I also love the idea of adding gummy worms, or blending up a smoothie for now and put it in popsicle molds for later! Iced coffee popsicles are also an option. (Here’s a popsicle mold we use and love.)

34. Collect fireflies in a jar (a favorite childhood pastime). No fireflies? Make a DIY Galaxy Glow Jar.

35. Go berry picking! Look up a local berry patch. It’s usually pretty inexpensive, and you can eat as you go. Wear a hat to avoid sunburn.

36. Start a prank war among friends. Remember, pranks are funny practical jokes – do your homework and don’t do something to damage someone else or their property. Or if you’re nicer, drop off encouragement packages of cookies or something else to friends – it’s fun to do the “ding dong ditch” method, and keep it anonymous.

37. Learn how to play a new backyard game you’ve never tried, like badminton, croquet, corn hole, or bocce. Or translate one of your favorite indoor games to an outdoor arena – like a Giant Jenga or Yard Twister.

38. Have a movie marathon. I KNOW, I KNOW, the original “Things to Do” list was about not watching movies, but this list is for a different purpose. And really, when else can you do it but summer? I think once in a while, a movie marathon just works. Think Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Bourne Identity, Avengers/superhero; or go with a theme – ’80s movies, sci fi, a certain actor or actress. Add themed snacks for more creativity, and if you want to go all out, dress up!

39. Get crafty and make some practical stuff for your next outdoor adventure: Mason Jar Citronella Candles; The Sunbathing Companion (a beach bag travel tote – imitated here with a cute flamingo print); Pallet Planters; Summer Lip Balm.

40. Cook up some gazpacho (cold Spanish* soup – thank you, Karla!) for dinner. There are a couple variations of it in this post, but you can search online for all kinds of different flavors and styles.

41. Make up a batch of sun tea.

42. Raid your library for free books, CDs (for your road trip), movies, TV shows, and don’t forget, classes and events. It’s also just a cool place to hang out (literally).

43. Give your inner six-year-old a nod and make the biggest bubbles you can. Watch all the neighborhood kids stare in wonder and amazement.

44. Cooling off at the mall? Add in a scavenger hunt – see who can find the coolest or funniest flip flops, sunglasses, Hawaiian shirts, etc. (Take pictures on your phones modeling them, so you don’t have to buy them or hunt everyone down.)

45. Set up a huge relay race in a park, and invite friends to join. Different activities might include jump roping, wheelbarrowing someone from one spot to another, sack racing, etc.

46. Since no one really likes a big heavy meal when it’s hot outside, have a tapas or appetizers night instead. Invite friends to bring an appetizer to share; for more activity, have them teach everyone how to make it. For the 21+ crowd, try a wine tasting to go with it.

47. More water fun for the backyard: water balloons; a water slide; a Water Blob; a Water Piñata and other fun water ideas. Keep cool!

48. Take a road trip with a purpose. Pick a theme based on an interest – like the best antique shops, music stores, Southern restaurants, free concerts, local breweries, coffee shops, etc. Look them up beforehand, then go out and hit them all!

49. Hang up a tire swing, or put together this simple wooden swing, for hours (or minutes) of cool breezes and fun.

50. Take a summer class together! Maybe at the college level, or a community class, or do a workshop.

I’ll be adding more ideas periodically to my Pinterest board, so follow along if you’re looking for more!

What are your favorite things to do over the summer? What did I miss?