How To Make Weekends Outdoors More Fun And Memorable

That makes you think about time. We think we have more than we do. It's a slippery concept, and if you're not conscious of it, it can just fly by. So we create plans to go to the park, maybe take a bike, or if it's summertime, grab some ice cream and go for a dip in the swimming pool. 

Whatever it is, everyone‘s doing something, going in and out of the house, and the next thing you know, it's Sunday evening, and you're looking at what you need to prepare for work on Monday. It all becomes a blur. And if someone asked you what you did last weekend, you'd know in general, but nothing more. 

The thing is, just doing something isn't necessarily going to lead to a memorable moment. 

A great reminder of that are kids. Think about it – for them, their 'lived' life experience is SO much smaller than yours. To them, their world is smaller. Because of this, even things that you'd think aren't THAT special or interesting, to them, these are amazing. And they remember things. A LOT of things.

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And truth be told, the main (real) difference between one day that's forgotten (just another day) and a day that you remember forever is in those little moments. It could be a great laugh you shared with someone, or it could be feeling proud when you finally achieved something. It could really be anything. Doesn't have to be a milestone of some kind. It can just be a great moment.

For a kid, even a simple moment of being included in a small decision is memorable. When you look at it, it all boils down to attention. That’s the most valuable currency today. Because of that, everyone is fighting for your attention. Which makes it hard to slow down and enjoy those moments sometimes.

It's not all that glum and rainy. The good news is, you don't need big plans or money to create those moments. A few well-intended activities with complete presence can turn a plain Saturday into something your kids will carry further in their lives. 

What Actually Makes a Day Stick in a Child's Memory

Obviously, children don't have the same way of remembering things as adults. They tend to have little snapshots of their lived experiences. 

Suppose you were to ask them how they were and what they did. It's rarely going to be 'we went to the park'. It's more going to be in the format of 'We went outside, I saw a huge rock and climbed it'.

There are a few things you can do to make those family moments stick out more.

First, there’s emotion. 

We all tend to remember how something felt more than what exactly happened. This is very highlighted with kids. Making them proud of themselves, including them in a decision, will build confidence and have those feelings anchor the memory. A moment doesn't have to be costly and grandiose in any way. It just has to have a feeling.

Then, there is involvement. When kids are more involved and have the option to shape the activities, they will pay more attention. Whether it's letting me choose between two things, letting them help pack, or leading the way when you walk, gives them a sense of ownership. This makes it become their day, instead of something they were brought to.

Another thing to look out for is repetition. 

Familiar routines can create anticipation. 

You can take the kids to a park out of town every weekend. On top of a hill with a zipline to ride on. After that, you all go grab a piece of cake from a pastry shop that only works on weekends. Over time, going there becomes this sort of a marker in their memory, for that particular day.

And, of course, the mall standouts. The hidden champions. Something slightly different from the usual. It can be to try a new snack or go to places you've never been. 

Something to break the usual pattern.

How to Make a Weekend More Memorable

You don’t want ‘just another weekend’ where you wait until Monday rolls over and then you go at it again. What you want this weekend is something that you’ll ACTUALLY enjoy. And something that you’ll remember.

Here’s how.

Let the Kids be Involved

You don't have to hand over the entire day, but giving them a few choices makes a difference. As already mentioned, these small decisions create a sense of ownership. Instead of passively following, they're involved. 

And when they feel involved, they're more likely to remember what happens. 

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Add One Small Tradition

Do one thing the same way each time. It can be walking over the same bridge on Saturday afternoon to watch the sunset. Or getting up early on Sunday to go fishing. Simple traditions are easy to keep. 

The more time passes, the more valuable they become.

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Turn Simple Moments Into Something Interactive

Kids will engage more if something is a game or feels like a mission. 

And luckily, you can turn almost anything into an interactive thing. Counting how many dogs you see walk by. Singing while talking. Creating a scavenger hunt game. See who's going to find the four-leaf clover first. 

Challenge them. 

This’ll change, and kids will experience moments and develop further. They're no longer just existing there; they are participating.

Take Something From Your Home With You

A blanket to sit on the grass, a simple toy, etc. – things like that can really add a noticeable layer of comfort. You’re basically creating the sense of 'home' but outside.

Some people find meaning and a sense of familiarity in books or songs. 

Any art that resonates with them. It can be something you find at home, like a bible verse art that inspires you, or a quartz crystal you use to manifest. It could even be something like a totem, a seemingly irrelevant item, which has some special meaning to you, which you use to channel your emotions and thoughts.

Bringing that same familiar feeling which you have at home helps you create your mini portable sanctuary elsewhere.

Conclusion

You don't need to make big plans and spend a lot of money in order to create great memories for the kids. Their memories are based on how they felt in the moment, whether that moment was laughing with you or being included and proud while helping you out.

So next weekend, keep it simple. Go to the places you usually would. This time with a bit of oomph. A bit of intention. Let your kids choose the next move, or think about starting an activity every day, and make that a tradition. 

Adjusting just a bit will make an ordinary day into a memory that lasts.

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