(StatePoint) If spending more time together is on your family’s to-do list, consider the following tips and ideas to make the most of each experience.
• Run a 5K. Encourage the entire family to get active by participating in a 5K. Whether you walk, run or a do a bit of both, this is a distance that many people of all ages can accomplish with some preparation. For bonus family time: train together in the weeks leading up to the race, then plan a special meal or outing afterwards to celebrate your collective accomplishment.
• Watch a movie. Get the family together, and even consider making it a party by inviting a few friends and neighbors for the ultimate gaming or movie night. With a projector, you can enjoy a film or video game indoors or out. Look for low-maintenance and energy-efficient projectors that offer convenience, such as the SLIM series from Casio. Their latest models offer increased light output for improved colors. Lightweight, they make an easy, portable choice, whether movie night is in the living room, the backyard, or around the block.
• Play a game. You don’t need any special equipment to hold a family game night. Play charades, 20 questions or Botticelli. These are all fun guessing games that require you to think fast and work together.
• Get outdoors. Get yourself somewhere beautiful for a hike, bike or kayaking trip. Use new technology to enhance the experience and help you fully enjoy the adventure. For example, the new WSD-F20, a smart outdoor watch from Casio, is equipped with built-in, low-power GPS and full color map functionality that can be used offline to track your location, even when you’re offline. Apps allow you to add notes to otherwise unmarked spots on the map to help you return to that ideal viewpoint or fishing spot.
• Volunteer. Most communities have plenty of one-time volunteer opportunities appropriate for kids and families. However, you can also create your own opportunities if no formal programs exist locally. From cleaning up the park to delivery groceries to a family in need, volunteering as a family is a great way to spend time together.
• Make Music. Explore your musical creativity by playing and remixing your own music. Consider using new technology such as the Dance Music Mode on Casio’s LK-265 portable keyboard. Learn your favorite songs with the keyboard’s lighted keys and remix the tracks. Choose from 50 styles of electronic dance music with different variations of drum beats, bass lines, and synth parts, as well as effects to polish tracks.
Life is busy, but there are plenty of ways to make family time count.
