Category: family fun

Franklin Falls Hike Near Snoqualmie Pass

Post author By Emily Oak
Post date June 3, 2014
119 Comments on Franklin Falls Hike Near Snoqualmie Pass

The hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest are some of the most coveted in the world, and Franklin Falls near Snoqualmie Pass far exceeded all my expectations!

Our friend had been telling us about the Franklin Falls hike for a long time and when we finally had the chance to get there we didn’t want to leave — if you are anywhere near the Seattle area, you should definitely check it out. It’s a really special place.The boys enjoyed traversing over big boulders and getting their feet (and shoes) wet in the river. But don’t worry if you have smaller children – the trail itself doesn’t require these feats of bravery!The trail is the perfect distance for kids and other than a bit of a tricky climb if you want to go down into the falls, it’s a very easy trek. If you are up for a little extra challenge, the hike down to the falls is worth the effort. We had fun splashing around in the water and getting close to the falls.

The water is cold, so be warned!

Isn’t it beautiful?

We had so much fun on our hike at Franklin Falls!

I still can’t believe we live just half an hour away from this kind of beauty. I pinch myself every day. If it would have been up to me we would not be living here at all — I’m so so thankful that God knew best and brought us back home.

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Airport Scavenger Hunt

Airports are full of excitement, anticipation, anxiety, and if you aren’t careful, mammoth meltdowns from the little ones. While long lines and empty tummies are often to blame, good old fashion boredom has a lot to do with it as well. If you are on a layover or your flight gets delayed, chances are you have some time to kill. Sitting in uncomfortable seats or people watching is not exactly most children’s idea of a good time … enter the Airport Scavenger Hunt!

Print it out and hide it in your purse so you can whip this fun little Airport Scavenger Hunt out right when you need it and send your antsy kiddo on a mission! Perhaps you can entice them with a hot cocoa or sweet treat once they complete the hunt for a little added engagement!

CLICK TO PRINT *Since every resource I provide on the blog is FREE, the only thing I ask of you is to please share it with your friends on FB, Twitter or Pinterest (the buttons to do so are below my signature) – Thanks in advance!

I hope this little treasure hunt proves a useful, fun resource for you next time you are stuck at the airport with some time to kill.

If you like this treasure hunt, and you’re doing any driving or sight seeing, you may also want to grab the Road Trip Scavenger Hunt. Also, make sure to check out the entire Scavenger Hunt Ideas Series here on the blog.

If you’re a little nervous about traveling by plane with your little ones, I wrote a post with all kinds of tips to make your flight as smooth as possible!

As always, please let me know if there is any resource you need that you are unable to find on the site. My goal is to make creating lifelong memories and adventuring together as a family as easy as possible so don’t hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do to help you in that way!

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Scavenger Hunt Series Roundup

Post author By Emily Oak
Post date May 14, 2014
139 Comments on Scavenger Hunt Series Roundup

Scavenger Hunts are one of those activities that many of us have fun memories associated with. Most of my scavenger hunting memories are in the context of educational or youth group outings, but I wanted to create this Scavenger Hunt Ideas Series so my kids — and yours — could join in the fun too!

Treasure Hunts I’ve Published so Far:

ROAD TRIP Scavenger Hunt – This is a great one to print out and add to your arsenal of fun things for your kids to do in the car next time you take a road trip or even just a long drive.
AIRPORT Scavenger Hunt – A fun resource for you next time you are stuck at the airport and the kids are getting antsy.
NATURE Scavenger Hunt – I think this particular treasure hunt would be fun to do without the kids too – on an adventure date perhaps?!
CHRISTMAS Scavenger Hunt – I tried to include all the things that will bring a smile to your face when you think of Christmas!
VALENTINES Scavenger Hunt – Instead of searching for specific items, this treasure hunt allows your kids to use a little more creativity!
EASTER / Resurrection Scavenger Hunt – This is a great tool to teach your kids about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Upcoming Scavenger Hunts:

BEACH Scavenger Hunt
CAMPING Scavenger Hunt
CITY Scavenger Hunt
ZOO Scavenger Hunt

I hope to have most of the upcoming scavenger hunts published by summer break so that you can print them out and have them on hand when you are looking for something fun to do. I think it would be fun to do with a group of friends and their children as well. Hopefully your family enjoys this {somewhat} silly tradition as much as mine does!

Is there a scavenger hunt idea that you would like me to feature here on the blog? Make sure to let me know!

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Scavenger Hunt Ideas – Road Trip

Post author By Emily Oak
Post date April 29, 2014
39 Comments on Scavenger Hunt Ideas – Road Trip

If you read my any of the posts in our Scavenger Hunt Series, you know that we are always racking our brain for some good scavenger hunt ideas. When you mix our love for road trips and our affinity for a good ol’ treasure hunt together – what you get is perfection!

Treasure hunting or playing ISpy in one way or another is something we do every time we travel any distance and we usually like to attach a prize to it. Good healthy competition baby! It’s a nice way to pass the time cooped up in the car and keep the kids engaged in something other than eating, arguing or complaining for hours on end.

When I put this Road Trip Scavenger Hunt together, I wanted to make it pretty generic so it would work for you no matter where you live or travel. Obviously it won’t suit every location perfectly, but if you know of things your kids are sure to see that aren’t listed on this scavenger hunt, just write them on the back and have them check them off as they spot them.

CLICK HERE TO PRINT

Bonus points for whomever can find a pay phone! I included that one for an extra challenge! 🙂

I hope your family enjoys this fun little treasure hunt on your next long car ride or road trip. Hopefully it will reduce the “are we there yet” interrogation from the backseat. Fingers crossed!

I am currently putting together several other scavenger hunt ideas for you – specifically for when you are out and about. A few of them you can keep an eye out for are:

AIRPORT Scavenger Hunt
BEACH Scavenger Hunt
CAMPING Scavenger Hunt
CITY Scavenger Hunt
ZOO Scavenger Hunt

These are the ones I’ve published so far:

I know they are a little silly, but the kids (and me!) think they are super FUN! If you think scavenger hunts as cool as we do make sure to check out our “scavenger hunt ideas” board on Pinterest for more great ideas!

And don’t forget about the other post I wrote about games and other ways to keep the kids entertained when you are on the road!!!

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Resurrection Treasure Hunt – Scavenger Hunt Ideas Series

Post author By Emily Oak
Post date April 3, 2014
128 Comments on Resurrection Treasure Hunt – Scavenger Hunt Ideas Series

Easter has snuck up on us once again but before we land ourselves in a sugar coma from all those Easter treats, I wanted to share with you a fun and meaningful way to spend some quality time with your kids in the form of a Resurrection Scavenger Hunt!

I’m not anti-Easter eggs and Cadbury bunnies, but growing up my family didn’t celebrate Easter in that way, so despite the successful commercialization of Easter, those things are not what I usually think of when the holiday rolls around. As a child, Easter Sunday consisted of going to church and heading to my grandparent’s house afterwards to climb trees, play with my cousins, and share a potluck dinner.

Nowadays it’s a bit different but my mother-in-love always spoils us (David and myself included) with lots of candy and dark chocolate!

Easter is special to so many of us because it gives us a dedicated time to meditate on the incredible love of the uncreated God who humbled himself, took on flesh, lived a sinless life and paid the ultimate penalty for our sin. He didn’t have to do that. Yet for the sake of love, He did.

I will never understand that level of humility.

Our family is big on scavenger hunts and the kids usually like to make a competition of them but for some reason with this one, they always choose to work together. It’s sweet watching them put their brains together to come up with each item. *I made this treasure hunt for my family (and first blog) a couple years ago!

Nails to Represent what Secured Jesus to the Cross

A Rock to Represent the Tomb

Something Sour – Represents what Jesus was Given to Drink while He Hung on the Cross

Bread – Jesus Broke it and Shared it with His Disciples (&Justice!)

The Something Black Picked to Represent Sin.

Our kids picked a credit card. How appropriate!

I hope you have fun with this one. It’s a creative, interactive way to teach our kids about some of the details surrounding the death and resurrection of Christ. It really is a meaningful time of year for so many of us and I hope this resource makes it all the more memorable.

CLICK TO PRINT *Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest – Thanks in advance!

If you’re looking for another fun family project, that is both meaningful and helpful, consider putting together and distributing blessing bags for the homeless. It will bless you as much as it does someone in need!

family fun Featured Printables Strong Luv

Scavenger Hunt Ideas Series – Valentines Day

Post author By Emily Oak
Post date February 14, 2014
86 Comments on Scavenger Hunt Ideas Series – Valentines Day

I hope you have enjoyed our Scavenger Hunt Ideas Series so far! This time I did something a little different. Instead of searching for specific items, this treasure hunt allows your kids to use a little more creativity!

Instead of V standing only for only one item – such as “vase”- it can represent anything. If your child is smaller they may find something with velcro, if they are a science lover they may search for something that is viscus, if they love to bake they may grab vanilla from the kitchen cabinet!

I think these kind of treasure hunts are fun because they bring out the personality in each one of our little tribe mates.

I don’t know about your kids, but each of mine are VERY different. They think differently, act differently, and express themselves differently. I love when I get to see those uniquenesses highlighted. Funny how three beings that came from the same stock can be so different. I love it!

Click Here to Print

I Hope you have fun with this little Valentines Day Scavenger Hunt!

If you like the content provided here at Home Sweet Road and want to share it with your friends I would be appreciative. The social buttons are an easy way to do that. As a new blog every little bit helps!

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Scavenger Hunt Ideas – Nature

Post author By Emily Oak
Post date January 8, 2014
107 Comments on Scavenger Hunt Ideas – Nature

I have been tossing around some scavenger hunt ideas so that I could create a couple of fun treasure hunt expeditions for the kids. As always, I am making them available to you! When we go on an adventure I find that our kids enjoy themselves a little more if they are on a mission. They experience whatever it is that we are doing (site seeing, hiking, etc.) in a different way when their eyes are peeled.

It’s overall more fun for everyone and produces LESS WHINING! That in and of itself is worth spending hours of my time putting these together!

One of the coolest things we learned about ourselves on our extended road trip was that some of our favorite things to do as a family is to get out into nature. We always knew we liked it but it wasn’t until we got bikes, visited many different state and national parks, and intentionally made time to spend in the great outdoors that we learned just how LIFE-GIVING it was.

It’s unlikely our crew will be featured in a outdoors magazine anytime soon – we aren’t hardcore enough for that – and we aren’t signing up for a family marathon or anything, but we are forcing ourselves to get out there and take it all in.

We are in Seattle, Washington now so sometimes that means putting on the raincoats before heading out.

One thing the boys have been doing together recently is Geocaching. They have spent hours deciphering clues and hunting treasure. These are a few geocaching apps available if you are interested in trying it for yourself.

I hope you enjoy this Nature Scavenger Hunt with your family. I had fun putting it together! I think this particular treasure hunt would be fun to do without the kids too – on an adventure date. I’m working on several other scavenger hunt ideas as well so keep your eyes peeled for those.

CLICK HERE TO PRINT *Since every resource I provide on the blog is FREE, the only thing I ask of you is to please share it with your friends on FB, Twitter or Pinterest (the buttons to do so are below my signature) – Thanks in advance!

Happy Treasure Hunting!!!

family fun Featured Strong Luv

Scavenger Hunt Ideas this Holiday Season

Post author By Emily Oak
Post date December 13, 2013
1,198 Comments on Scavenger Hunt Ideas this Holiday Season

This is the first of many Scavenger Hunt Ideas that I will be sharing with you on the blog. I have so many fond memories of going on scavenger hunts when I was a kid. They are especially fun if you are in competition with another person or team to see who can find everything on the list first!

For this Holiday Scavenger Hunt I tried to include all the things that bring a smile to my face when I think of Christmas – which is why I excluded, long lines, drunk Santas, fruit cake, and ugly sweaters. Oh wait! On second thought, I should have included the sweaters.

I would have added peppermint mochas, adult eggnog, and early bedtimes to the list but I thought the kids might not appreciate it so much so I left those items out.

What I did include on the Holiday Scavenger Hunt Ideas List was:

A Snowman
Wreath
Poinsettia
Candy Cane
Santa
Mistletoe
Nativity Scene
A Snowglobe
White Christmas Lights
Colored Christmas Lights
A Reindeer
Red Bow
Star
Christmas Ornament
Snowflake
The Grinch
Rudolph
Angel
A Train
Blinking Lights

Here is the printable version:

Click image for PDF to print!

I hope you like this fun little activity. Do it together as a family or send Daddy out with one of the kids for a holiday treasure hunt date that ends with some hot cocoa topped with extra whipped cream!

Make sure to print it out and add your own ideas on the back. We all have our own special family traditions and things that make the holidays extra meaningful so jot a few of those down and voila, you have your own custom scavenger hunt list that your kids will love! Fun, FREE, and memorable! Love it.

Do you have any fun Scavenger Hunt Ideas that would be fun to do as a family? I’d love to hear. Also, if you haven’t yet, make sure to check out my Christmas Pinterest Board. I am also filling out some gift boards as well if you are looking for some ideas on things to buy your kiddos!

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Staycation Ideas – For the Fall

Post author By Emily Oak
Post date November 8, 2013
112 Comments on Staycation Ideas – For the Fall

Hopefully after reading {Part 1} and {Part 2} of our Staycation Series you are inspired to plan a staycation of your own! I am currently planning a “Seattle Staycation” for our family now that we have settled in the Pacific Northwest. After creating this series I am even more excited about our time “off” than before.

I am really looking forward to turning the electronics off and getting in some good quality time with one another. We are also working on a unique way to help the homeless during our staycation. I’ll write about that in future posts:)

Without further ado, here are 20 creative ways to connect with each other and enjoy your time off this season:

Create a family meal together and eat it by candlelight
If they are old enough, give the kids the reigns on one special activity. Have them plan it from start to finish.
Bundle up for a nature walk {collect acorns and colorful leaves to use in an art project}
Get lost in a corn maze
Make a homemade apple or pumpkin pie
Set aside an hour or two for a family art project – if craftiness isn’t your thing consider buying a pre-made art kit. Perhaps you can make a few Christmas gifts like candles in a mason jar, handmade cards, or a custom decorated picture frame for grandma!
Go to a drive in movie
Make caramel apples
Take a hot-air balloon ride
Take a tour {winery, chocolate factory, local museum}
Build a bonfire {roast marshmallows and make s’mores}
Pitch a tent in the living room and tell stories to each other in the dark
Get a massage
Make a “thankful tree”
Choose one book the entire family will enjoy and take turns reading it aloud at night, or while you’re driving from one place to another
Paint, carve, or decorate a pumpkin based on a character in the book you are reading
Create a scavenger hunt
Go zip lining
Start your Christmas shopping
Help the homeless or less fortunate in some way

I hope this gives you some great ideas for ways to really enjoy this season together as a family. Things can get so hectic with school schedules in full swing, extracurricular obligations and the holidays just around the corner — so wether you are planning a staycation of your own or not, make sure to do something to steal back some time with your family and do something special. Time with our little guys is precious and slips by so fast, doesn’t it?!

Lastly, I am a newbie to social media. Apparently there are about a zillion rules to follow — I am stumbling my way through and pretty sure I am breaking exactly all of them. If you like the information we provide on this site it would mean a lot if you would share it on FB, Google +, or Pinterest {the buttons to do so are below}. Thanks in advance!