Lately, life has looked different. The recent changes have prompted my husband and me to reconsider our priorities and find ways to create meaningful experiences for our children. We wanted to engage in activities that are intentional, memorable, cost-effective, and just as enjoyable as larger outings. Thus, we embarked on our Slowdown Challenge, and it has proven to be a wonderful journey.
Movie Night
Friday nights have now become official movie nights in our home. We compile a list of movies and let our daughter draw one from a hat a few days in advance. On the designated evening, after dinner and getting ready, we line up in the kitchen with our cardstock movie tickets. The kids pay for their chosen snacks from the pantry using cardstock money. We settle down in our cozy pillow fort and enjoy a movie on Netflix or Disney+ – or at least as much of it as our little ones will allow. It’s become the highlight of our week, and our daughter can’t stop talking about it.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cost: essentially free
Balloon Floor
As someone who enjoys making balloon garlands for parties, I always have leftover balloons. One day, I decided to blow up a bunch of balloons and cover the living room floor with them. When the kids arrived home, they were thrilled and spent the entire evening playing games like monkey in the middle, “keepy uppy” (as seen in Bluey), and catch. Taking photos and videos during this time was also incredibly entertaining.
Prep time: 20 minutes (approx.)
Cost: balloon pump for around $20 and relatively cheap balloons
Nail Salon (2 versions)
Our nail salon experience involves giving each other manicures. My daughter loves picking out the colors. However, things became challenging when she wanted to paint her nails or mine. To solve this, I cut up some cardboard we were about to recycle and drew hands on them. We used markers and washable paint to paint the nails. My daughter loved being in charge of the painting process.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cost: free if you already have nail polish; otherwise, purchase your own and/or paint materials
Tea Party
Everyone in our house, including my son and husband, loves a tea party. We use our fancy cups (within reason), bring out the nice napkins and plates, and enjoy our finest apple juice and cheerios with pinkies out.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cost: essentially free
Kid Chef Night
This activity requires some planning, but it’s worth it to see how proud the kids are of their culinary creations. Let them take charge of the menu, make a list of ingredients, and get their ingredients in advance. Adjust the tasks according to their age and let them help in the kitchen. It doesn’t have to be fancy; even simple tasks like mixing brownies or arranging deli meat on a cheese board can be exciting for them. Don’t forget that breakfast for dinner is always a hit!
Prep time: Make a list in advance; meal prep takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.
Cost: the cost of the meal/snack ingredients
Karaoke Night
Link your phone to the TV or use YouTube to find karaoke versions of songs. Sing your hearts out! Dressing up to match the song adds an extra layer of fun.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cost: essentially free
Write Letters to Family
Our kids love checking the mailbox and receiving letters addressed to them. They enjoy corresponding with family members and know that they’re more likely to receive letters if they send some too. Help your young children decorate cards or make art to send to loved ones. You could even have them draft an email and attach photos.
Prep time: 5 minutes to gather materials
Cost: the cost of a stamp and any materials used
Plants
Although I’m not known for having a green thumb, my husband introduced our daughter to gardening. She has her own designated plants – mint and basil. She helped pot them and now takes pride in watering and helping to harvest them. Her excitement and pride in those plants are truly heartwarming.
Prep time: 10 minutes to pot the plants, followed by a few minutes of daily maintenance
Cost: minimal
We are about a month into the Slowdown Challenge, and these activities have become precious moments in our home. We don’t do them every day, but when we do, they hold special meaning for our children.
FAQs
Q: What other activities can be added to the list?
A: The possibilities are endless! We’d love to hear what other parents are doing as their children grow older and incorporate new interests and hobbies into their lives.
Q: How can I keep the Slowdown Challenge going?
A: The key is to prioritize and make intentional choices about how you spend your time. Continually seek new ideas and adapt them to suit your family’s evolving needs and interests.
In conclusion, the Slowdown Challenge has not only allowed us to spend quality time with our children but also helped us create lasting memories on a budget. It’s been a reminder that simple activities can be just as meaningful as grand outings. So why not give it a try and embark on your own Slowdown Challenge? The possibilities are endless, and the rewards are priceless.
