Challenge: Family Fun Days

Family Fun Day consists of games, events and competitions that everyone can participate in and enjoy. Enlist the cooperation and support of your school’s PTA/PTO. These parents are already engaged with school programs and prove invaluable when trying to find enough volunteers to supervise every event at every grade level. There are never enough volunteers for Family Fun Days! Having adults available at every activity is essential for safety. Things can get chaotic with several hundred kids out on the field or in the gymnasium, even with family members in attendance.

Find fun games and activity booths that are age appropriate. Also, these physical activities need to be able to be played without a lot of explanation.  If you are holding the event outside, mow the grass the day before, mark the field for games, and use an environmentally friendly spray for bugs. Make a list of all equipment needed for Family Fun Day and the different age groups. Put in boxes, so that all equipment is together and can be easily carried. Make a list of participating teacher's and volunteers' names. Schedule a brief meeting before the event with instructions or you could give them a have a handout sheet for their station.

Depending on available funds, possible games and events include inflatable rides, parachute launch, petting zoo, fish pond, corn hole, pony rides, carnival games, tug-of-war, obstacle course, sack races, face painting, relay races, etc. The school cafeteria can serve as a healthy snack station and for karaoke and arts & craft booths.The format for the day is free choice! All students are free to choose wherever they wish to go, and they should be included in the planning of the event. Parents are free to engage in any and all activities with their children.