Tag: memories

August Journal Writing Prompts

Keeping a journal is a wonderful way to record memories, express ideas, and release emotions. A journal does not need to be fancy. A simple spiral notebook is just as good as a leatherbound journal. Writing is the most important aspect of keeping a journal.

31 Journal Writing Prompts for August

  1. What are your personal or family goals for August?
  2. Name 10 things you want to accomplish before summer ends.
  3. Describe a funny moment from today. Did someone tell a joke? Or did your toddler do something that made you laugh? Write why the moment was funny to you.
  4. Today is Friendship Day. Write about your best friend in elementary, junior high, and high school? Did you have the same friend all the way through your school years?
  5. Write about your grandparents or older family member. What was their occupation? Where did they live?
  6. Create an August Bucket List for last-minute fun before school begins.
  7. How did you spend your day? Go into detail.
  8. What do you need to accomplish to get your children ready for the new school year?
  9. Are you healthy? What habits do you need to change in your routine to make healthier choices?
  10. What was your favorite Saturday activity as a child?
  11. Write a letter to your future self.
  12. Write a letter to your past self.
  13. List 5 long term goals.
  14. Write a review of your favorite restaurant.
  15. Describe your childhood bedroom. What posters did you hang on the wall in highschool?
  16. If you won the lottery, how would you spend the money?
  17. What is your favorite show on television? Why do you like the program?
  18. What was your favorite show during childhood?
  19. What are 10 things you could do to help the environment?
  20. What would be your ideal vacation or getaway to end the summer?
  21. What is your current pet peeve?
  22. What is your guilty pleasure?
  23. What makes you feel peaceful?
  24. Name a person you miss. Why?
  25. What family activity would you like to try? Why?
  26. Today is National Dog Day. Describe your favorite dog or other pet.
  27. List 5 things you are grateful for at this point in your life.
  28. Describe yourself in ten sentences.
  29. Describe in detail an item or recipe you made.
  30. If you could visit a fictional world, where would go?
  31. Write a memoir or letter saying goodbye to summer.

Keep in mind, there’s no right or wrong answer when writing in a journal. The experience is a personal pursuit. Always, remember to have fun when you write.

4th of July Craft Table

Are you hosting a 4th of July party or BBQ? Do you want to keep the children busy? Many children love to socialize, swim, and play various outdoor activities. Others may need a quiet space to relax. Setting up a crafting table is a great way to keep children entertained during a family event. If your party experiences rain, you will be prepared.

Ideas for a 4th of July Crafting Table

Children’s imagination is limitless. Setting up a variety of options will help keep children engaged. Use the 4th of July as a theme for your art and craft activities.

Painting Fireworks

Roll out long pieces of butcher paper or set out black poster boards. Supply red, white, and blue paint to create fireworks. When painting the fireworks, offer different options. Paint brushes, straws, pipe cleaners, and sponges create unique textures. The fireworks will look unique to each child’s preference.

Paint Rocks

Rock painting is a popular craft choice. Line a table with varying sizes of rocks. Supply paints and brushes. Allow the children to create their own personal masterpieces.

Paint Clay Planters

When preparing for your party, pick up some clay planters to paint. A planter is the perfect take-home item.

Tie-Dye Shirts

Older children and adults love to tie-dye t-shirts. Ask parents to bring white shirts or supply different sizes for everyone. Use a tie-dye kit or traditional dye to make the shirts. Supply rubber bands and marbles to help create designs. The shirt may turn into a lasting memory.

Beading

Red, white, and blue pony beads are an inexpensive way to create necklaces and bracelets. Stringing the beads in a variety of designs allows each child to create a unique jewelry accessory.

Collages

Using construction paper or poster board allow children to create collages. Set out different art supplies including:

  • Red, white, and blue paint
  • Glitter
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Pom-pons
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Sequins
  • Pieces of material
  • Tissue paper

Drawing 

A craft table does not need to be elaborate for children to enjoy. Set out paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils. Children will use the materials to draw and create.

While engaging with others, a craft table is a great way for children to make art. Being able to take home a project instantly creates a memory of the event.

Happy 4th!

Journal Prompts for June

Are you keeping a journal? Or do you want to start writing in a journal on a daily basis? Journals are a great activity. Record your memories or daily events. Looking back on journal entries are a way to learn and understand yourself.

June Journal Prompts

  1. What are your summer plans?
  2. What are you grateful for on this day?
  3. What new activities would you like to try this summer? As a family or by yourself?
  4. Describe your family’s day? Or your day? Did the day go as planned?
  5. What can you do to help the environment?
  6. What are your personal goals for June?
  7. If you could do anything this summer, where would you go? Or what activity would you like to try?
  8. Interview your children or grandchildren?
  9. List 5 things to accomplish this upcoming week? List 5 things to accomplish this month. What steps do you need to take to finish your list?
  10. If you could interview anyone in the world, who would you pick? Why is this person so special to you?
  11. Write about your family’s history.
  12. What challenges did you overcome in the last six months? Last year?
  13. Married? Write about your first date with your partner. Single? Write about your ideal date.
  14. Flag Day in the U.S. What does the flag mean to you?
  15. What are your pet peeves?
  16. Father’s Day in the U.S. Write your favorite memory with your father or father figure.
  17. What is your favorite song? Why?
  18. How do you like to relax with your family or friends? When was the last time you participated in this activity?
  19. What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Why?
  20. What is your favorite book? Why?
  21. Summer official begins. What is your favorite childhood memory of summer? Why is this memory important to you?
  22. What is your favorite memory of the beach? Swimming pool? Why is this memory so important to you?
  23. Describe your life 5 years ago.
  24. Where would you like to be in the next year? Next five years? How can you make these goals a reality?
  25. Who is your current role model? Why?
  26. Describe in detail your dream home or summer vacation home.
  27. If you could spend an entire day alone, doing only what you want, what would you do? Why?
  28. What is your favorite summer movie? Why?
  29. What are your current feelings or mood?
  30. June marks the halfway point for the year. What are you looking forward to in the next six months? What activities would you like to accomplish?

Writing in a journal every day is a fulfilling personal activity. The journal does not need to be anything fancy. Pick up a spiral notebook or composition book to record your thoughts. Do not limit yourself to just words. Draw pictures, add memorabilia or photos, personalize your journal each day.

Photo Prompt Ideas for April

After a long winter, April generally brings warmer weather. Unfortunately, with the changing temperatures, rain is often in the forecast. Just remember the old saying, April showers bring May flowers.

  1. Selfie (Always begin each new month with a selfie. For added fun, do something foolish. After all, it is April Fool’s Day).
  2. Peanut butter and jelly
  3. Sunrise/Sunset
  4. Flowers
  5. Breakfast
  6. Noon
  7. Pink
  8. Umbrella
  9. Favorite food
  10. Trees
  11. View from far away
  12. View from up close
  13. Memory
  14. Relaxing
  15. Monday inspiration
  16. Favorite beverage
  17. Easter decorations
  18. Easter bunny
  19. Your view on Good Friday
  20. Easter eggs
  21. Easter fun
  22. Earth Day inspiration
  23. Black and white
  24. Action
  25. Texture
  26. Friday fun
  27. Nature
  28. Landscape/waterscape
  29. Siloutte
  30. Looking forward to May

30 days are in the month of April. Each day is a chance to tap into your creative side. Use the photo prompts to explore the world around you.

 

25 Days of Celebrating Christmas

The 1st of December means the holiday season is officially here. Celebrating 25 Days of Christmas is the perfect way to ring in the festivities. Gather your family and friends for a memorable Christmas time.

Ideas for Celebrating the 25 Days of Christmas

  1. Put up Christmas tree and other holiday decorations
  2. Address and send out Christmas cards
  3. Go to the local bookstore or library for holiday books
  4. Start a new tradition and make homemade Christmas ornaments (Pinterest is a great resource for finding ideas)
  5. Try a new holiday-themed recipe
  6. Attend a local Christmas concert or play
  7. Get a professional Christmas portrait done
  8. Host a Christmas party for your family or friends
  9. Host a Sunday Christmas Tea
  10. Attend a live nativity
  11. Go caroling
  12. Build a snowman/go sledding
  13. Write letters to Santa
  14. Volunteer your time/donate to a toy charity
  15. Host a Christmas themed craft day
  16. Ride around and look at Christmas lights
  17. Visit Santa
  18. Make gingerbread houses
  19. Christmas themed movie night
  20. Fill Christmas stockings or baskets to hand out to friends, family, or neighbors
  21. Celebrate the 1st day of winter, make cut out snowflakes to decorate windows
  22. Bake Christmas cookies
  23. Host a family or friends’ night with games and other activities
  24. Celebrate Christmas Eve
  25. Christmas Day dinner with family and friend

Planning and hosting different events is a great way to celebrate the Christmas season with family and friends.

November Photo Prompt Ideas

Do you need some photo inspiration for the month of November? Photo prompts are small ideas to jump-start your imagination. Have fun, take photos, and make memories. Consider making monthly photo prompts a family project. The different perspectives are a great way to learn and share.

  1. Selfie (always take a selfie at the beginning of the month)
  2. Breakfast
  3. Art
  4. Seasonal
  5. Memories
  6. Landscape/Skyscape/Waterscape
  7. Local Fun
  8. Current Mood
  9. Current Reading Material
  10. Handmade
  11. Dinner Time
  12. View Out Your Window
  13. Favorite Snack
  14. Calm
  15. Blessings
  16. Close Up
  17. Black and White
  18. Through Glass
  19. Thanksgiving Decorations
  20. Thankful For…
  21. Pumpkin Pie
  22. Thanksgiving Fun
  23. Family
  24. Leftovers
  25. Low Angle
  26. Favorite Colors
  27. Shapes
  28. Cheerful
  29. Warmth
  30. Preparing For The Holidays

When the month is finished, consider printing your photos.  Making a scrapbook is a wonderful way to add notes or other tidbits to remind you of your inspiration.

September Photo Challenge Prompts

September brings numerous fall activities. Participating in a daily photo challenge can help you focus on the world around you.

Here are some prompts for daily inspiration:

  1. Selfie
  2. Harvest
  3. Labor Day
  4. Back to School
  5. Softness
  6. Favorite Book
  7. Pet or Animal
  8. Bonfire
  9. Favorite Quote
  10. Favorite Beverage
  11. Landscape/Skyscape
  12. View Out Your Window
  13. Favorite Color
  14. Nature
  15. Close-up
  16. Collection
  17. Food
  18. Black and White
  19. Upside Down
  20. Football
  21. Silhouette
  22. Something Vintage
  23. Patterns
  24. Natural Light
  25. What’s on Your Feet?
  26. Clouds
  27. Quiet Time/Relaxation
  28. Fall Leaves
  29. Guilty Pleasures
  30. Something New

After you finish the month of September, print your photos and place them in an album for instant inspiration. For added fun, have your family or friends participate in the photo challenge. Cell phone use makes the challenge easy for everyone to join in the fun. Write a description under each photo. Years down the road, you may find the descriptions interesting, especially from younger children. Gathering the photos at the end of the month will bring a unique perspective on how each person views the world.

March: Craft Month

Did you know March is Craft Month? Crafting projects come in different shapes, sizes, and styles. Basically, crafts are the simple process of making items with your own two hands. Requiring only your imagination to begin, crafting activities is a hobby for all ages to enjoy.

Benefits of Crafts for Children

As adults, you make crafts with a specific outcome in mind. Perhaps you are following a pattern or trying to mimic a creation from the Pinterest site, your crafting process is a unique journey. Keep in mind, for children the process may not produce a specific outcome or recognizable piece. And that is okay. Allow your children the chance to create a one of a kind project. Introducing various crafting materials for your children to use actually has numerous benefits.

  • Improves eye/hand coordination
  • Increases fine motor skills
  • Expands communication skills
  • Boosts self-esteem
  • Expands the imagination
  • Increases valuable family time

Two Easy Ways to Introduce Crafts to Your Children

Introducing crafting activities to your children or even yourself is simple. Materials and time are your two key components for craft projects.

1. Craft Box

Creating a craft box or basket is a wonderful way to store materials. Crafting materials do not need to be expensive. Check out your local dollar store, hobby shop, and recycle some materials around the house. If you are uncertain about how to start your craft box, many stores offer buckets or jars of materials ready to go.

Materials may include:

  • Glue
  • Glitter, sequins, beads
  • Paint
  • Paint brushes, sponges and other instruments for paint applications
  • Crayons, markers, pencils
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Yarn
  • Pompons
  • Construction paper or drawing paper
  • Child scissors
  • Paper punch
  • Paper towel tubes
  • Rocks
  • Googly eyes
  • Dried beans, macaroni, or other kinds of pasta
  • Modeling clay

2. Making Time

After you get all your materials in place, next is making time for your crafts.

  • Raining or snowy days are great for craft days.
  • Host a craft night for the entire family to enjoy.
  • Invite friends over for a crafting party.
  • Create holiday crafts to decorate your home (St. Patrick’s Day, Spring, and Easter is just around the corner).

Having fun is the most important part of crafting. Enjoy the process of making something new. Ask your child to share the details of the final crating product. Often a story about a craft is a great memory making moment.

Happy Crafting!

Creating Your Own Pet Rock

Are you old enough to remember the Pet Rock craze? Well, I am. When I was in grade school, I remember a classmate owning a Pet Rock. During Show and Tell, she explained all the different things the Pet Rock could do. For example, she fully believed the rock felt heavier during sleeping hours. Of course, I was skeptical. But my overactive imagination could relate the rock as a living creature.

Today, September 3, 2017, is Pet Rock Day. Originated in 1975 by Gary Dahl, the Pet Rock fad was an instant hit. Smooth stones were put in a pet carrier for the home for the Pet Rock. In fact, you still can buy Pet Rocks today at www.PetRock.com.

Celebrating Pet Rock Day

Today, you can either purchase a Pet Rock or craft one. Actually crafting the rock into different creatures may be a fun activity for the entire family.

Supplies You May Need:

  • Rocks (Gather some out your drive or purchase a bag at your local dollar store)
  • Paint
  • Googly eyes
  • features
  • Glue
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Pom-poms
  • Glitter, if you are brave

The only limit to the type of craft supplies needed is your imagination.

Have fun creating your own type of rock creature. In fact, consider creating an entire rock family.

References:

Pet Rock. (2017). Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Rock

Pet Rock. (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.petrock.com/

Stay Home: Tips for Enjoying a Long Holiday Weekend

Many Americans use the long Labor Day weekend as a chance to hit the road to their favorite travel destination. More and more individuals are opting to forego the hustle and bustle of holiday travel. Keep in mind, staying at home does not have to be boring. Use the time to relax or enjoy activities close to home. The simplistic nature of staying at home may be the best decision for you and your loved ones.

Tips for Enjoying a Stay at Home Weekend

  1. Unplug

Make the decision to spend time away from the computer. Everyday work, school or personal commitments keep you online. Even though you are staying home, act like you are on vacation.

  • Set your email message to out of town or out of the office.
  • Put your cell phone on vibrate.
  • Check your cell phone sparingly.
  • Stay off social media.
  • Leave your work at the office.
  1. Go Outdoors

Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer. Use the time to go outdoors for activities other than lawn maintenance.

  • Go for a walk.
  • Go for a hike.
  • Go for a bike ride.
  • Go canoeing or kayaking.
  • Soak up the sun.
  • Lay in the hammock.
  • Watch the sunset while enjoying your favorite beverage
  1. Be a Local Tourist

When many people think of tourists, images of far off places come to mind. Be a local tourist. Holiday weekends usually bring special events. Using a little research of your hometown area, you may find enough activities to keep you busy all weekend.

  • Go to an art gallery.
  • Visit a museum.
  • Attend an outdoor concert.
  • Watch a parade.
  • Go to the local, state or federal park.
  • Attend a local fair or festival.
  1. Family Night

Hosting a family night is a great way to relax and spend time with your loved ones. Family nights can be a quiet evening with a movie or night out. Involving everyone in the final decision helps make the evening more fun.

  • Backyard camping
  • Pizza night
  • Movie marathon night
  • Special dinner night
  • Game night
  • Music night
  • Special activity night, for example, laser tag or bowling
  • Slumber party night
  • Complete a family project
  • Volunteer as a family

Using your imitation, the types of family nights are endless.

  1. Host a Party

Impromptu parties or barbeques create a last minute event. You are not alone in staying close to home on a holiday weekend. Ask family and friends to come over. Due to the last minute planning, go old school with the menu. Ask everyone to bring a dish to pass. The variety will be a refreshing break from a themed or planned menus.

Lack of funds, family commitments, or just a desire to relax without worrying about packing and driving, everyone has a different reason for staying home on a holiday weekend. Whether you decide to go out or simply relax on the couch all weekend, enjoy your decision to stay home.