Finally, the weekend has arrived. There’s a lot of pressure to make the most out of your leisure time, which often results in simply having a drink at home in the evening to unwind, once the children are in bed. Fortunately, a little planning can lead to days out as a family that don’t leave you depleted and desperate for a little external help to relax. Instead, try one of these drink-free outings to keep the kids bouncing with excitement while you enjoy a breather and recharge your energy.
1. Visit a Museum
A fun family day out that will enchant children of all ages – but especially the little ones! Dinosaur statues are one of the highlights your young ones will look forward to the most during your trip to a local museum. Girls who idolise princesses will enjoy the Ancient Egypt displays, it’s an opportunity to teach them about the different cultural expressions for Royalty. Many museums also have lifelike displays of historic people, ancient animals – complete with sound effects, and entire rooms dedicated to showing how people from long ago, lived. This is an educational trip that will be entertaining for all ages.
2. Enjoy the Autumn Colours: Take a Hike
This time of year is perfect to take to the outdoors; take advantage of the last of the good weather and go take in the beautiful warm shades of orange, red, and brown. A hike at this time of year is ideal – and give the children the task of finding the most beautiful and uniquely coloured leaves. For the adults? You get to leave the tension and worry behind and enjoy a breath of fresh autumn air.
Instead of de-stressing with a glass of wine, research indicates that connecting with nature will give you greater return on investment in terms of the energy you have expended. All you need is decent walking shoes, a small and comfortable backpack with water and a snack, and the family. Bonus if you can include your camera! Find a few walking trails that are outside of the city and take the time to listen to the sounds of nature, and smell the fresh air. The children are able to build their bone density with the exercise, and bedtime will be a breeze after they’ve exhausted themselves.
3. Hit The Ice
A day out that the whole family can enjoy is a trip to an ice rink. Skate aids ensure that even the least coordinated family members can enjoy their time on the ice, whilst ensuring the everyone gets a fantastic cardiovascular workout without even realising it! There are rinks around the UK, and as the weather gets cooler outdoor rinks will start to open as well. The perfect beverage for skating is a deliciously warm and comforting pumpkin spice latte. Many rinks have coffee shops conveniently situated nearby, but you could always make your own and take it with you in travel mugs. We found this great PSL recipe that goes easy on the sugar but big on flavour.
4. An Indoor Swim for Healthy Bones in Winter
There are a growing number of wild swimming spots in Britain, but with the weather taking a distinctly chilly turn, an indoor swim will keep you warm. Water is like a magnet to children, they’re drawn to the weightlessness of floating and splashing. Swimming will helps children to build bone density and keep fit throughout the months that generally lead to more snacking and less physical activity. You may decide to skip the actual swim and relax at the side while the children play. Add a comfort factor by stopping at a cafe for warm cocoa on your way home. Who needs those alcoholic drinks when you have small indulgences like a creamy hot drink?
5. A Historic Tour
Regardless of where you live, there are tourist activities on your doorstep you have ignored because you’re local. As a result, there are some undiscovered treasures in terms of destinations for a family day out. One of these is the tours of local historic buildings. It gives you the opportunity to add an educational element to your family time. Follow the tour up with a historic film that’s relevant to the tour you enjoyed. This is suitable for older children who have started to cover history in school, but younger kids will love the adventure of discovering “creepy” castles and imagining fairy princesses in mullioned windows.
Taking the Time to Connect
These activities can help to bond a family unit. There’s a lot of pressure on parents to coordinate daily life and chores and still find the time to really connect with their children – when you’re so exhausted and desperate to shut off. A family day out with non-drinking parents where laughter and snacks are both plentiful helps to create many happy memories. With so many diverse and interesting ways to spend time together as a family no matter the weather, it really is easy to have an alcohol free day and ensure that everyone enjoys the activities. If you need other ideas how to live your best alcohol free life, make sure to follow Drinklow.Co on social media or visit our website.