What do you all do with your kids when they come home for vacations. Husband just announced he’d like us to “do something” as a family tomorrow/tomorrow night.
I have no ideas except going out to dinner.
And I’m sure she’ll want to get together with her friends tomorrow night, too.
No open skate at our local rink tomorrow. I have no ideas! Any thoughts?
Weather dependent - go on a hike or play pickleball.
Weather? Location?
If you’re near a major city grab some hot cocoa at a coffee shop and do some window shopping/stroll and look at pretty decorations - tomorrow is Small Business Saturday - support your local businesses!
Outdoor:
Tree lighting ceremony
Family hike
Explore local/national park
Indoor:
Bowling/Mini-golf
Buy and play a new board game
Go to the movies (in our out)
Paint a set of family mugs
Choral Concert/Theater/Ballet
Escape Room
Local Food pantry volunteering
Our city has a running calendar of events - have fun!
Depends what they’re into. For guys maybe go-cart racing, indoor skydiving, stuff like that.
Last year I actually bought a PS5 and downloaded a bunch of games. None really stuck but we had a fun few days trying them out.
Hiking and shopping are regular go-to activities. We’ve also gone to the aquarium, zoo, botanical garden, farmer’s markets, outdoor festivals, etc.
Plus we usually spend some time in the kitchen baking up treats like cookies, etc. Oh and sometimes D will tell me what her favorite tv series is and I’ll watch a couple seasons with her.
We like escape rooms! And family game nights!
I would google local Holiday Events - there are sure to be Holiday markets, light shows, sing alongs , etc.
If your family enjoys sporting events - that’s an option. We live in a city with professional sport teams but find the sports events at the university here are more budget friendly and just as much fun.
Does your family enjoy movies or theater?
I’d let your college kid take the lead and ask what they want to do and the timing. My college Junior has mostly wanted to sleep and stay in his pajamas when he’s not out visiting old HS friends.
Maybe we can go see Wicked. Or Gladiator!
I think we might kill each other in an Escape Room situation, we are all terrible listeners & bossy.
Holiday happenings would be good if I can find something.
I hate being in charge of fun! Hard to please everyone.
We are in NJ and it’s cold but not terrible to do a hike or something outdoors.
My sister and her H climbed a wall (literally) at an indoor climbing place in town and then went to a movie & dinner. I’ve never done a climb but she said it was fun. They hook everyone up with ropes and have helmets and gloves.
If you have a local zoo, some have holiday themed activities. We always love the zoo
Ask your child. They are usually exhausted. They want a home cooked meal or favorite restaurant food. Mine wanted it to be brought into the house. They miss their bedroom. Get ready for like 15 hours of sleeping the first day 
.
They usually don’t want to make decisions and don’t want to be asked a million questions. Many are home sick or close but won’t tell you that.
Give them some space and “listen”. If they are social they either already have plans that you don’t know about or will be making them soon. Biggest mistake is over booking them without consulting them. Let them just be. Then figure it all out.
Pro tips from a parent that has already “been there - done that”
Disclaimer…our daughter went to her aunts for all the Thanksgivings during college.
But our son did come home. He wanted to see his good HS friends. There was a gathering spot on Friday that just about everyone went to. He did that.
On Saturday, we usually prepared a meal together for supper. He is a great cook and loves to do this. So…he and we picked a menu that had nothing to do with turkey…and all of us (all three of us) pitched in and made and enjoyed it.
We tend to do the holiday themed activities - European style outdoor Christmas market, going to see the store windows/lights, light displays at the local gardens/zoo, etc…
Also we do family movie night where we start the cheesy hallmark Christmas movies, play board games, etc…
Low key for sure. Even now when D is out of school, she prefers not to be on the go her whole vacation.
Polar plunge somewhere?
Massage or sauna?
Volunteer at a food pantry or animal shelter, often a group of college students helping.
Christmas farmers markets-
Bowling in Brewery?
Indoor mini golf?
Test drive sports cars for fun?
Bonfire or sweat lodge in backyard??
Theater/ broad way play?
Saw Wicked with our kids last night. Even the grumpy 18yr old boy liked it.
Movies, hike, trivia at a local bar, board games, ski.
My kids are very social, they’re usually fully booked, but we try to spend some time with everyone. Went out to dinner Wednesday night before all of them pregamed with friends for bar crawls. Spent a few hours together on thanksgiving after the Turkey trot before dd19 went to her boyfriend’s for a few days. They’re back now but have a party tonight. Dd21 flew back yesterday. Most of my kids dislike downtime.
A lot of local community Christmas plays - love the local stuff! Not that expensive and with a nice dinner out makes for a complete evening -or- Sunday matinee!
Yes, our community theaters are having plays that are pretty inexpensive. It’s always good to confirm whether the young person does or does NOT want to attend as surprises can go awry and not produce desired good feelings.
We ended up going to the opening of a holiday pop up Christmas Market & dinner & tried to do some family Christmas card photos. That was good! A little more festive than a regular dinner out.