Suggested Family Activities

Ignite the Night: Your Ultimate Guide to a Cozy Backyard Bonfire As the crisp autumn air settles in and the days grow shorter, there's a magical feeling that descends upon us, beckoning for warmth, comfort, and togetherness. What better way to embrace the enchanting fall season than by gathering your loved ones for a memorable night under the stars with a backyard bonfire? It's an age-old tradition that brings smiles, laughter, and a sense of wonder. Here’s how to plan and execute the perfect cozy family bonfire night, creating memories that will last long after the embers fade. 1. Set Up Safely: Fire First, Fun Second Before any s'mores can be made or stories told, safety is paramount. Location, Location, Location: Choose a clear, level spot away from trees, overhanging branches, fences, and structures. Ensure there's no dry grass, leaves, or other flammable materials nearby. The Right Vessel: Use a designated fire pit, a sturdy metal outdoor fireplace, or even an old grill with proper ventilation. Never build a bonfire directly on the ground unless it's a professionally designed fire ring. Keep it Contained: A spark screen for your fire pit is a great idea to prevent stray embers from flying. Water & Tools Ready: Always have a bucket of water, a garden hose, or a fire extinguisher easily accessible. A shovel or rake can also be useful for managing the fire. Supervision is Key: Never leave a bonfire unattended, especially with children or pets around. 2. Roast Hot Dogs: A Simple & Sizzling Supper Forget elaborate meals – a bonfire calls for classic, easy-to-cook fare. Hot dogs are the undisputed champion of campfire cuisine. Prep Ahead: Have your hot dogs, buns, and all the fixings (ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, chili!) ready on a tray. Long Roasting Sticks: Ensure everyone has a long, sturdy roasting...

Don't Toss That Jack O' Lantern! Try Pumpkin Bowling for Fall Family Fun! The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and Halloween has come and gone. You've enjoyed your festive jack o' lanterns, but now what? Instead of simply tossing them in the compost, why not get one more burst of family fun out of them with an activity we like to call Pumpkin Bowling! It's a fantastic way to enjoy the autumn weather, get some laughs, and even a little bit of exercise, all while creatively repurposing those carved gourds. This activity is incredibly simple to set up and provides endless entertainment for all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. Plus, it's a great excuse to get outside and breathe in that wonderful fall air. What You'll Need: A Small, Round Pumpkin: Look for one that's a good size to roll – not too big or heavy for the kids, but substantial enough to knock over your "pins." A pumpkin that has a slightly flatter bottom will roll more predictably. "Bowling Pins": This is where you can get really creative! Gourds: A variety of decorative gourds make excellent, autumnal pins. Their different shapes and sizes add an extra challenge! Plastic Bottles: Empty plastic water or soda bottles are perfect. Fill them with a small amount of water, sand, or rocks to give them some weight and make them stand steadily. This also adds a satisfying "clatter" when they get knocked over! Tin Cans: Empty, clean tin cans can also work well, especially if you want a louder noise. Anything Else! Get the family involved in finding other household items that can stand upright and safely be knocked over. The more varied, the more fun! An Open Outdoor Space: This activity is definitely best enjoyed in your backyard, a park, or any grassy...

Looking for a fun and creative way to get into the Halloween spirit? Try this combination drawing project and game: Halloween Tic Tac Toe! Draw the Board: Start by drawing a Tic Tac Toe board on a piece of paper. Decorate: Add Halloween-themed decorations around the edges, such as pumpkins, bats, spiders, and other spooky symbols. Choose Your Markers: Use inexpensive bat or spider plastic rings or toy pieces from the dollar store as place markers. Alternatively, you can use pennies, small rocks, or other small trinkets you have at home. This activity is perfect for a family game night and adds a festive touch to your Halloween celebrations. Enjoy the fun and creativity of Halloween Tic Tac Toe! 🎃👻

Today is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day, a perfect opportunity to gather your family and dive into the magical world of fairy tales. Whether you choose to share classic stories like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves or Rumpelstiltskin, or create your own enchanting tales, this day is all about celebrating the timeless art of storytelling. Share Classic Fairy Tales Start by telling familiar stories that everyone loves. Classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Cinderella, and Rumpelstiltskin have captivated audiences for generations. These tales are not only entertaining but also offer valuable lessons and morals. Create Your Own Fairy Tales Encourage family members to unleash their creativity by making up their own fairy tales. This can be a fun and imaginative activity for everyone. Here are some prompts to get started: What if you were the main character? How would you handle the challenges and adventures? Change the setting: Would your story take place in a modern-day city, your own home, or a fantastical world? Time period: Is your tale set in the past, present, or future? Retell Your Favorite Fairy Tales Another engaging activity is to retell your favorite fairy tales with a twist. Imagine how the story would change if it were set in a different location or time period. For example: Snow White in a bustling metropolis: How would the story unfold in a modern city? Rumpelstiltskin in the digital age: How would the characters interact with today's technology? Benefits of Storytelling Sharing fairy tales is more than just fun; it also has numerous benefits: Enhances creativity: Crafting and retelling stories stimulates the imagination. Builds language skills: Listening to and telling stories improves vocabulary and communication skills. Strengthens family bonds: Storytelling is a wonderful way to connect with family members and create lasting memories. Conclusion National Tell a Fairy Tale Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the magic of storytelling with your family. Whether you choose to share classic...

Today is National Send a Card to a Friend Day so take some time to pick out a card and send some good cheer through the mail.  You can use cards you purchase from a store, or make your own with paper, crayons, markers, and stickers. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, why not make a Valentine themed card?  You can use white, pink, or red paper and decorate it with hearts, sweet messages such as “Thinking of You,” and anything else that speaks to your heart.

Try these easy ways to make snowflakes today: One way is with white coffee filters – just fold the filter in half a total of four times. Then cut a design on each side of the filter, using either regular or craft scissors.  When you unfold it, your snowflake will be revealed.  You can also cut snowflakes out of plain white copy paper and then follow the same instructions above.

Try out these fun writing prompts today: Young children can draw a picture of a snowman and then make up a story about it.  Did they make the snowman during a Snow Day from school?  Does it talk or walk around?  Older kids and adults can try out a different prompt: What if you were being followed down the street by a snowman that came to life?  Would people believe you?  What would happen?  

Stargazing, or looking up at the stars and constellations, is a fun family activity at any time, even during the winter.  It is worth the trouble of bundling up in coats, hats, scarves, and mittens to experience the crisp and clear view of the night sky while it is not obstructed by the haziness caused by summer humidity.  Plus, because the Earth has rotated, different planets are visible now than during the summer.  NASA’s Night Sky Network offers plenty of tips for winter stargazing, including dressing in layers, wearing waterproof boots, and bringing along a hot drink.  To view more of their tips, click here.

Today is Library Shelfie Day!  What is Library Shelfie Day, you ask?  It is a day set aside in January each year to give book lovers and book collectors a chance to share their personal libraries.  Whether you collect first editions or equally love and treasure every dog-eared book you have ever owned, we would love to see pictures of your libraries!  But if you don’t have many books at home, no problem!  Visit one of our NERL branches and take a picture there.  Share them with us at photos@nereg.lib.ms.us.

To turn popsicle sticks into a crafty cup of hot chocolate:  First, glue about eight craft sticks together into a square shape.  You can use the colored variety or color plain popsicle sticks with crayons or markers. Next, cut an oval out of brown paper and glue the oval to the top of the square to represent the hot chocolate.  Decorate the brown oval with small white circles to mimic marshmallows.  Next, cut out a fat ‘C’ shape out of any color paper you have and glue it to the side of the square to be the cup’s handle.  Finish off the cup by decorating the front of the cup with stickers or draw designs with crayons or markers.

Winter weather is tough on area wildlife, particularly birds.  To give them a nice treat during this dreary weather, make a Pinecone Bird Feeder.  All you need is a pinecone, peanut butter, and twine, yarn, or string.  To begin, tie your string around the top of the pinecone.  Next, pour out birdseed in a bowl that is deep enough for the pinecone to fit.  Spread peanut butter all over the pinecone and roll it in the birdseed.  Tie it outside for the birds to find, hopefully near a window so that you can watch them enjoy their treat! See previous family activities on our website at https://bit.ly/3dC2vpK #NERLibrary #NERLSFA #FamilyActivity #bird #birds #pineconebirdfeeder

Celebrate National Cut Your Energy Costs Day this month by doing a few simple things around your house to help lower your energy bills.  You can get the whole family involved – young children can be taught to do simple things like turning off lights when they leave a room.  Even if they cannot reach the light switch, they can give older family members gentle reminders to turn off the lights. Other simple things that you can do to save money on your utility bills: Turn your thermostat down (or up, depending on the season) a few degrees. Run appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full. Unplug appliances that are only used occasionally. Take shorter showers. Use old towels or fabric scraps to block drafts around doors and windows.

Start the new year by becoming more organized.  Some great places to start include: Organize your pantry or kitchen shelves to make mealtime preparation go faster. Have each family member organize their clothes so that getting dressed in the morning and getting ready for bed at night go more smoothly. Encourage everyone to lay out the things they will need for the following day.  Think about things like backpacks, bags, lunches, clothes, shoes, etc.

Many people don't think of walking outside when the weather is colder, but if you bundle up, it can be a refreshing and invigorating experience. Taking a brisk walk is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the season while staying active. If you have young children, encourage them to notice how differently everything looks in winter compared to other seasons. Ask them questions like, "What looks differently now than in the summer?" or "How does the air feel on your face?" You might also prompt them to describe what they see, hear, and smell—like the crunch of leaves or snow underfoot, the bare tree branches, or the crisp, clean scent of winter air. Walking in the colder months not only boosts physical health but also provides an opportunity to connect with nature and create lasting memories with your family. Give it a try—you might be surprised by how much you enjoy it!

Looking for some creative ways to entertain kids on New Year’s Eve?  Have a balloon stomp!  Blow up some small balloons and have fun watching as your kids jump, sit on, and stomp the balloons to pop them!  Not only does it make a loud popping noise that children love, but it can be a good way to burn off energy.  You could also hide small prizes, like quarters, inside the balloons. A fun alternative is to have children (or adults!) have a race with a balloon held between their knees.  Or you could see who can pop balloons the fastest.  If you have enough space, you could do this activity indoors but doing it outside will give kids lots of room to move around.    

Make a holiday wreath out of a plain white paper pate by cutting out the middle of the plate in a circle so that the plate becomes a wreath.  If you need a little help drawing a circle, use a smaller plate to draw around to create the opening.  Color the wreath a solid color and then decorate on top of that with small artificial flowers (easily found at places like the Dollar Tree), stickers, designs cut from magazines or old greeting cards, or any other craft supplies you have. Turn a paper plate into a Christmas tree by cutting it apart into 3 wedges (imagine a watermelon slice).  Glue the wedge pieces on top of each other with the fluted part of the plate pointing down and the pointy piece on the top.  Then color the tree green and decorate it with stickers, sequins, beads, or any other craft supplies.  You can also draw ornaments on a piece of paper and cut them out to glue on the tree.  Using a piece of brown paper, finish off your tree with a square shaped piece on the bottom for the trunk.

It’s very easy to make a candy cane ornament with a skein each of red and white embroidery floss and a pipe cleaner.  (You could also use yarn or cord in those colors – the thicker materials would also be easier for little fingers to grasp.)  Take the paper wrapping off the skeins of floss and snip each looped end to make two bunches (but you’ll only be using one bunch of each color).  Tie one bunch of red and one bunch of white in a single knot at the top of the pipe cleaner.  Starting at the top, twist the colors around the pipe cleaner to make the candy cane stripes.  When you get to the end, make another knot and trim either the floss or the pipe cleaner as necessary.  Now all that is left is to bend the top into a hook shape and add a ribbon or yarn hanger.

Winter holidays give us a great opportunity to take beautiful pictures with our families.  Take pictures of your family this year not just in front of a decorated tree, but other places as well, such as a holiday village if you have one or in front of a holiday wreath on your door.  Don’t forget taking pictures outside too.  Taking pictures at night in front of decorations that are bright with festive lights make beautiful photos.  If you don’t have decorations in your home, most businesses in your town have put up beautiful decorations.  Many will not mind someone snapping a quick picture!  Most communities also have decorations on their streets and downtown areas as well.  Also think about taking pictures of your family doing fun things like working on a gingerbread house, trying to fold a snowflake, or stringing popcorn to use as a decoration. See previous family activities on our website at https://bit.ly/3dC2vpK #NERLibrary #NERLSFA #FamilyActivity

To make a beautiful natural ornament for your tree, just pick up a pinecone on your next walk.  First, tie a piece of string or yarn to the top to be the hanger.  Next, paint the tips of the pinecone with craft glue and sprinkle glitter on the glue while it is wet.  After the glue has dried, the ornament is ready to hang!  For a more colorful ornament, you could substitute acrylic paint (thinned out with a little water) for the glue.  You could also add other small decoration that might fit into the crevices of the pinecones such as silver balls (like the ones used for cake decorating), sequins, pom-poms, or small beads.

Tomorrow is National Mississippi Day!  Mississippi is well known for being the home of wonderful writers, entertainers and athletes including Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Eudora Welty, John Grisham, Richard Wright, William Faulkner, Oprah Winfrey, Jim Henson, Robin Roberts, LeAnn Rimes, James Earl Jones, and Jerry Rice, just to name a few.  How many famous Mississippians can you name? Mississippi is home of the Delta blues and the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, which can be explored online at https://mcrm.mdah.ms.gov/.  To find out more about the Delta blues, visit their museum at https://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/.  Our state is full of beautiful scenery and natural wonders, such as those found along the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway which runs through our area.  This ancient pathway began first as a trail used by herds of bison and then was used by the hunting and gathering mound builders in the area.  Later, it would become a passageway for those transporting goods from the northern U.S. to the river town of Natchez. To learn more about the Natchez Trace, visit their website at https://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm. If you have young children, do they know how to spell Mississippi?  If not, teach them the “M, I, crooked letter, crooked letter, I, crooked letter, crooked letter, I, humpback, humpback, I” rhyme that has been used for generations to teach children how the word is spelled.  Another fact about Mississippi is that people all over the U.S. count seconds of time by saying, “One Mississippi, two Mississippi, etc”.  No one knows why – it could be just that it is a fun word to say!

Make decorative leaf prints today using just paint and paper.  Head outside and look for a fallen leaf that has a pretty shape.  Since you might get messy with this project, have fun working on it outside, such as on a sidewalk, porch, or other flat outdoor surface.  Cover the area with newspapers, an old sheet, or plastic tablecloth to help with accidental spills and to make clean-up go faster.  Start by using a paintbrush to coat one side of the leaf with paint, then press the leaf onto a piece of paper.  Press down long enough to make sure all the paint transfers to the paper.  Plain white paper will show the paint color to its best advantage, but you can experiment with colored construction paper to get different results. 

If you and your children like to make crafts out of the imprints of their hands and feet, you can easily turn your child’s hand into a Thanksgiving turkey.  Paint the palm of their hand and their thumb with a thick layer of brown acrylic paint and then paint each finger a different color such as orange, red, yellow ,and green to be the feathers.  Press the hand firmly onto a sheet of paper to leave an imprint.  When the paint has dried, add in finishing details such as eyes, a beak, a wattle, and feet.  Check out our picture below for inspiration. Here is a cute poem you can type out to put with your turkey picture as well: This Isn’t Just a Turkey As Anyone Can Plainly See. I Made It with My Hand Which is a Part of Me. It Comes with Lots of Love, Especially to Say, I Hope You Have A Very Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Create spooky Frankenstein Feet with your child’s help! Follow these fun and easy steps: Paint the Feet: Apply a thick layer of green acrylic paint to the bottom of your child’s foot. Make the Imprint: Have them step onto a sheet of paper to leave a green footprint. Add Details: Once the green paint is dry, use black paint and a paintbrush to draw stitch marks, bolts, and paint in the toes to create Frankenstein’s hair. Draw the Face: Use a black marker or paint to add eyebrows and a squiggly line for the mouth. Add a small white paint dot for the eye, and once it’s dry, finish with a small black circle for the pupil. This Frankenstein Feet craft is a perfect Halloween activity that’s both creative and fun for kids. Enjoy making spooky memories! 👣🎃

Looking for a fun and creative autumn craft? Try making a cute Autumn Tree with your family! Follow these simple steps: Prepare the Paper Links: Cut paper links in fall leaf colors like gold, yellow, red, and orange, similar to making a traditional paper chain. Glue each link together individually instead of forming a long chain. Create the Tree Trunk: Cut a wide strip of brown paper for the tree’s trunk and glue it onto a sheet of paper. Assemble the Tree: Glue each paper link individually in a cloud formation at the top of the trunk until you have a full and beautiful autumn tree. This Autumn Tree Craft is a perfect way to celebrate the fall season and enjoy some quality family time. Happy crafting! 🍁🍂

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds: A Delicious Halloween Snack When you carve your pumpkin for Halloween, don’t throw away the seeds! Pumpkin seeds make a fantastic sweet or savory snack for your family, depending on the seasonings you choose. Follow these simple steps to roast pumpkin seeds to perfection: Clean the Seeds: Start by washing the seeds in a colander to remove all the pulp. Dry the Seeds: Pat the seeds dry with a towel. Season the Seeds: Toss the seeds in a bowl with olive oil or melted butter, salt, and garlic powder. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings like cinnamon, black pepper, paprika, dill, or onion powder. Roast the Seeds: Spread the seasoned seeds on a baking sheet. Roast them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for up to 15 minutes, tossing the seeds every 5 minutes. Check for Doneness: When the seeds turn golden brown, they are ready to enjoy! Roasted pumpkin seeds are a healthy and tasty treat that your family will love. Happy Halloween! 🎃

Looking for a fun and creative way to get into the Halloween spirit? Try this combination drawing project and game: Halloween Tic Tac Toe! Draw the Board: Start by drawing a Tic Tac Toe board on a piece of paper. Decorate: Add Halloween-themed decorations around the edges, such as pumpkins, bats, spiders, and other spooky symbols. Choose Your Markers: Use inexpensive bat or spider plastic rings or toy pieces from the dollar store as place markers. Alternatively, you can use pennies, small rocks, or other small trinkets you have at home. This activity is perfect for a family game night and adds a festive touch to your Halloween celebrations. Enjoy the fun and creativity of Halloween Tic Tac Toe! 🎃👻

Get creative and try some of these unusual outdoor games today for National Outdoor Sports Day: Play shaving cream Twister by adding shaving cream mixed with food coloring to the dots. Play Sardines – one person hides and everyone else tries to find them.  When each person does find the one hiding, they quietly join them until only one person is left searching.  Then that person becomes the one who hides. Have races while walking like various animals, such as crabs, horses, elephants, etc.

October is National Eat Better, Eat Together Month.  This month, families are encouraged to gather at the same table to enjoy mealtimes.  When people eat meals together (as opposed to grabbing snacks at different times or individual meals ‘on the go’), they tend to eat healthier and make better food choices.  So make it a priority to eat at least one meal together as a family this month.  Eating together is also a great way to spend time together and share what you did during the day.  Ask your family: What was the best thing that happened to you today?  What was the worst?  What was the funniest?  Did you meet someone new today?

Turning a sucker into a ghostly treat is a classic Halloween craft project.  All you need is a sucker with a round top, such as a Tootsie Pop or Dum-Dum, a white coffee filter or tissue paper and a small piece of string or yarn.  Place the white filter or tissue paper around the sucker and tie the yarn around the bottom of the rounded part of the sucker to create the ghost’s head.  Then, cut off any excess paper or filter at the bottom.  As a final touch, use a marker or pen to draw in eyes and a mouth on your ghost.

During this season of scary stories and tales of monsters, play this fun variation on a classic outdoor game- zombie tag.  Choose one person to be the ‘zombie’ (or ‘it’) and everyone else (the ‘humans’) try to run away from the zombie.  As with typical zombies, the zombie cannot run and must walk around like their best imitation of a TV show zombie.  Once a human gets tagged, they turn into a zombie too.  Whoever is the last human standing wins the round!  And for another fun version – have the person who is ‘it’ walk like Frankenstein’s monster.

Turn a plain white paper plate into an apple today by coloring it red and attaching a brown paper stem and a green leaf.  Cut out small black oblong shapes for the seeds.  For a variation that’s great for toddlers, tear up pictures of red paper into small pieces and then let them glue the pieces back onto the paper plate (or a blank sheet of paper).  In addition to helping them learn how to master glue, this activity will also help improve their hand-eye coordination.  Another way to improve manual dexterity in young children is to cut the shape of an apple out of cardboard or cardstock weight paper and give your child red, yellow, or green yarn to wrap around it to make an apple.