<p>I know some families that have a “signature” card game that they all know and love…whether it be bridge, hearts, or whatever…it gives folks something to do when they come for overnight visits. And face it, soon our kids will be “visiting” us, with their college friends, fiance, spouse, spouse and kids, etc. I personally not a card player, but some families have great fun with it, have big tournaments or marathon sessions over holiday visits, etc.</p>
<p>We were so happy when the youngest son finally decided he liked bridge too. He learned the rules when he was 11 or 12, but only decided it was fun when he was 14. Interestingly he’s actually a better bridge player than Mathson, though he’s not so mathematically inclined.</p>
<p>We like camping. Most memorable trip was Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin in
June. Lots of wildlife action, teeming with wide array of wildlife. Pitched
tent at Ledge Rock State Campground and were practically alone all week.</p>
<p>That’s neat, cottonwood. We’re taking a midwest car trip this summer…would love to find some cool campgrounds along the way…</p>
<p>Cool about the signature card games. That’s what I’m thinking-- we need some fun, family traditions so the kids have some great, “remember when…” memories (not just ‘mom nagged me effectively’!!!). </p>
<p>Mathmom–if I can encourage son to play bridge w/grandpa that would be a huge treat (for both, I think). Neat that your younger son is good at it…</p>
<p>My D is home from her first year at college. We have been re-bonding around the NBA play offs. My D is a huge basketball fan. While watching the games, we have been playing Scrabble. My D beats me 9 out ot 10 games, as she always has.</p>
<p>We have a local snow cone stand that we frequent on warm evenings. They have about 40 flavors, but we each tend to be stuck in a rut with a couple of favorites. It might be fun to have a goal of working our way down the list by the end of that last summer. (A Junior size is only 75 cents, so no big loss if the flavor’s a loser.) Could do the same with ice cream, Chinese or sushi.</p>
<p>I guess the Monumental Thing we are doing as a family for my son’s last Spring Break is hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and then hiking up. I made the reservations for next year back in March. Bonus: with Mom and Dad hitting the half century mark, fantastic motivation to get into shape. It will be a terrific bonding experience as long as we live to tell the tale!</p>
<p>abric1–that’s fun to have sports to share; I know many people bond over that (sometimes wish we did…!).</p>
<p>That’s awesome about the hike in the Grand Canyon, missypie! We went there about 5 years ago…it’s gorgeous (& scary, if you don’t like heights!!).</p>
<p>Jolynne, I’ve been considering this question lately, too. My older son starts college in a few months, my younger starts next year. We were at a neighborhood garage sale last weekend, and I found myself getting choked up looking at a stack of board games. The realization hit me that we would never play some of the familiar games again (boys have outgrown), and that we would rarely have all of us together in the future to play the others. </p>
<p>My vote is to play frisbee, a fun outdoor game and still a useful skill for college campuses. :-)</p>
<p>Silverweed–it’s true…sometimes it seemed like ‘work’ to play the games w/the kids when they are little (so much else to do!) but then you turn around and that time has gone; they no longer want to play.</p>
<p>I just don’t want to lie in bed at night after son has left for college thinking: “Why didn’t we have more fun? Why was I always on his case about getting things done instead of enjoying our time together?”</p>
<p>Frisbee–excellent idea! And low-tech and easy…just the kind of thing I like! :-)</p>
<p>We are big on board games, mostly Scrabble and Boggle. My S trounces me in Scrabble, learned how to find those little words that somehow give you 50 points. Boggle is good because it is 3 minutes long, can be fit in around other work.</p>
<p>I’d say you’re all on the right track…just reading through this is making me antsy to get home to my family. Some of our favorites include:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Mini-golf. One of those things that everyone rolls their eyes at, but so many enjoy anyway…a family vacation staple :)</p></li>
<li><p>Going to lunch together. On a summer weekday, whoever among us is free might meet up at a local favorite. We live in a rapidly developing area, so there are always new places to try, too. Lower-key than dinner. Even at 22, I love getting a lunchtime call from my dad asking if I’ve had lunch yet. Great wake-up call for the student on break, too…</p></li>
<li><p>An IMAX movie.</p></li>
<li><p>On a trip home from college, I introduced my family to Apples-to-Apples (game). Wasn’t sure how it would go over, but we had a blast. Potentially good for any age.</p></li>
<li><p>Charades. The downside to this is that we’ve made such a tradition of it (all extended family included), that none of us can stand to play outside the family (just as well…no one else could stand to play with any of us, either). We have our own rules and we know that they’re the best. More fun with more people.</p></li>
<li><p>As has been suggested, working through a DVD set. My mom, sister, and I worked through “Felicity” while my dad (and sister, and I…somewhat less willingly…) opted for Monty Python’s Flying Circus.</p></li>
<li><p>Local tourism. We’ve taken day and weekend trips to national parks, “old town”, local museums, the mountains, the beach, wineries…there’s usually something nearby that you’re unaware of. Try using tripadvisor.com to check your area.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li>My sister and I are terrible with cards, but our family plays a dominoes game called “chicken foot”. My grandparents taught us when I was probably 8-9…we’ve indoctrinated a few family friends, too :)</li>
</ul>
<p>I tried to get my older D to come up for this birthday weekend, but she is moving and too busy.
So even though we can’t really afford it- I am thinking of taking younger D to a music festival ( with camping) as there are a couple bands that I already wanted to see ( Fleet Foxes & REM) and one that she has now decided she likes, (Blue Scholars- even though when they played an assembly and dance @ her school a couple years ago, she was * meh* )
She vary rarely ( 1st time I can think of) has wanted to go to something like this, so I think I should pay attention.</p>
<p>Plus H takes her snowboarding and luging, I don’t get to do the fun stuff ( unless you count college tours fun which I don’t)</p>
<p>Un/fortunately, D is still working hard to do well in her classes, so not a lot of free time.</p>
<p>Glad someone suggested Apples to Apples. I’m not a fan of board games, but this one gets us laughing hysterically.</p>
<p>Those are great ideas! I’ve been trying to get my husband’s extended family to play charades during our week-long get-aways during the summer, for years. Maybe this year I’ll be successful! They do like Scrabble, however…</p>
<p>I’ll have to check out Apples to Apples.</p>
<p>True re: the music. Son might see Dropkick Murphys in June…I’d like to come along w/friends…</p>
<p>Try playing Rainbow Sorry, each person gets one of each color playing
piece instead of all red or blue or yellow or green.</p>
<p>Now that my D is looking at being gone for almost a year ( with a few breaks), she is more relaxed and more fun to be with.</p>
<p>I don’t think we will go to Sasquatch- I just do not feel like driving/spending that money for gas. ( too many other things to do before the end of school) But there are lots of things to do in town this weekend & maybe I will take her to get that tattoo!</p>
<p>( If anyone is going to be in Seattle area this summer & is an alternative music fan-[Subpop is having a 20th birthday blowout](<a href=“http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/136598.asp”>http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/136598.asp</a>) Green River is reuniting )</p>
<p>If the video game “Rock Band” is in your house, have you tried the microphone? </p>
<p>My son is SO ENTERTAINED by me when I am willing to play with him, trying to be the singer. The only songs I know are “Should I stay or should I go now?” and “Barroom Blitz.” If you do it a few times, your score goes up every time. </p>
<p>Or I do Wii bowling. Even visiting grandma’s like Wii bowling.</p>
<p>If all members of the family are a bit geeky, the game SET is a blast once you have played it for 10 minutes and get the hang of it.<br>
No waiting around for your turn. It is always everyone’s turn.
[SET®</a> Rules](<a href=“http://www.setgame.com/set/rules_set.htm]SET®”>http://www.setgame.com/set/rules_set.htm)</p>
<p>One of my Ds friends in college beat the computer at SET.
It doesn’t play to my strengths.
good practice though.</p>
<p>Something that I have been doing periodically when D is interested is reading kids books to her.
[Amazon.com:</a> Magical Tales from Many Lands: Margaret Mayo, Jane Ray: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Tales-Many-Lands-Margaret/dp/0525450173]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Tales-Many-Lands-Margaret/dp/0525450173)</p>
<p>has several of her favorites</p>
<p>( no sitting on the lap though)</p>