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privacy policy (1)
Any information we retrieve from you will only be used for the purpose of this site. We will not sell your name to any lists. We don't like spam, and neither do you.
Complete privacy policy coming soon!
What is a family theme night?
Many families enjoy a family game night together. Family theme night is another type of fun at-home entertainment evening, or family night (family home evening). Family theme night is spending time together as a family on a regular basis, using different themes as a focal point. It is more than entertainment—it is building memories and close family ties, as well as having fun.
How did family theme night begin?
Family theme night began in our home almost four years ago. We had just returned from a family vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota, a trip complete with all the stops at the tourist traps that kids love so much. During our trip, one of our stops was a visit to a “chuck-wagon supper”–a rustic style dinner, served by “cowboys,” with a live musical performance. It was an experience that filled our young boys with delight. I had never seen them so happy and excited! I distinctly remember my four year old dancing in the aisles and shouting “yi-haa”! When we got back from our trip (actually, before we even returned) I pondered how I could replicate that experience. Family theme night was born!
Our first theme night, appropriately, was a western night. We gathered some plaid shirts, bandanas and hats (not authentic hats, but straw hats that would serve the purpose) and had a cowboy dinner. It was a simple meal of grilled chicken, beans, biscuits, applesauce and a spice cake (from a box), but it was reminiscent of our chuck-wagon supper. No cowboy night is complete without a rodeo, so we got out some brooms and snowbrushes (we live in upstate New York, so our snowbrushes are huge), and we pretended that they were our horses. We had some leftover streamers from the last birthday party, and we used those as ropes to lasso (and tie up) Daddy. I think we had some country music playing in the background (music tends to be a key component to many of our family theme nights), although I don’t remember that detail. I do remember that there were a lot of “yi-haa’s” and laughter, and we knew that we had started a new tradition.
Why should I do a family theme night?
(Or I'm having trouble getting the laundry done and dinner on the table; why should I do a family night?)
There are many reasons for doing a family fun night. Here are the top ten reasons to do a family night (adapted from Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
1. IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK!! (Family nights don't have to be complicated-kids love them even if they are simple!)
2. It develops your child’s imagination.
3. It is a great way to save money on entertainment.
4. Less germs during cold and flu season.
5. It is fun for all ages and all types of kids.
6. It is educational and will help your child's development.
7. It will tire the kids out so they will go to bed early.
8. It makes family time a priority.
9. You will build memories for your kids and strengthen family ties for a lifetime.
10. IT’S FUN!
How should I plan a family theme night?
The easiest way to start is by using a resource such as Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
1. Pick a theme.
2. Plan the food. This step is not necessary, but adds to the fun and can actually make meal preparation easier! (Think frozen meals for an airplane theme.)
3. Gather or borrow items that go with the theme. (Libraries have lots of resources, and they are free!)
4. Use online resources for activities, games and crafts.
5. Enjoy your family theme night and have fun together as a family!
Family theme night began in our home three years ago. We had just returned from a family vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota, a trip complete with all the stops at the tourist traps that kids love so much. During our trip, one of our stops was a visit to a “chuck-wagon supper”–a rustic style dinner, served by “cowboys,” with a live musical performance. It was an experience that filled our young boys with delight. I had never seen them so happy and excited! I distinctly remember my four year old dancing in the aisles and shouting “yi-haa”! When we got back from our trip (actually, before we even returned) I pondered how I could replicate that experience. Family theme night was born!
Our first theme night, appropriately, was a western night. We gathered some plaid shirts, bandanas and hats (not authentic hats, but straw hats that would serve the purpose) and had a cowboy dinner. It was a simple meal of grilled chicken, beans, biscuits, applesauce and a spice cake (from a box), but it was reminiscent of our chuck-wagon supper. No cowboy night is complete without a rodeo, so we got out some brooms and snowbrushes (we live in upstate New York, so our snowbrushes are huge), and we pretended that they were our horses. We had some leftover streamers from the last birthday party, and we used those as ropes to lasso (and tie up) Daddy. I think we had some country music playing in the background (music tends to be a key component to many of our family theme nights), although I don’t remember that detail. I do remember that there were a lot of “yi-haa’s” and laughter, and we knew that we had started a new tradition.
Any information we retrieve from you will only be used for the purposes of this site. We will not sell your information to any lists. We don't like spam, and you don't either.
Complete privacy policy:
This privacy notice discloses the privacy practices for http://familythemenights.com. This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by this web site. It will notify you of the following:
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Family Theme Nights has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. By using this site, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our site. Your continued use of the site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.
If you have any questions about this privacy policy, please contact us by email: familythemenights(at)excite(dot)com.
Press Releases:
Every year parents spend a large sum of money on family entertainment, but with an uncertain economy and rising gas prices, those discretionary dollars may no longer be available. Does that mean that parents need to give up on family entertainment? Author Laurie Moulton says “no, parents just need to think ‘out-of-the-box’ when it comes to having fun as a family.” Moulton tells parents how to enjoy low-cost family activities in her newly released book Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
Computers, video games and television dominate family life today. How can we draw our kids away from the T.V. screen and stop this disturbing trend? Blogger and author of the just released book Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
With new legislation and educational requirements, kids today begin a rigorous curriculum at an earlier age. How can a parent help a child prepare for academic success, even before entering kindergarten? Educator and author, Laurie Moulton, suggests instituting a weekly family night to facilitate language development and enhance learning. It is working for her kids—find out how in her newly released book Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
With summer approaching, parents and grandparents are looking for activities to keep their kids happy and engaged. When camps fill up or money isn’t available for typical entertainment, what is a family to do? Author and blogger Laurie Moulton tells how to have family fun without spending a lot of money in her newly released book Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
With rising gas prices, more families will be choosing a “staycation” instead of traveling. What fun activities can you do with the kids without spending a bundle? Author Laurie Moulton has the solution in her new book Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
Play—kids need more of it! But in the age of computers, video games and TV, do kids know how to play anymore? Do parents know how to encourage imaginative play? Author, teacher and mom, Laurie Moulton, has the answers for helping your kids play in her new book Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
Interview questions: coming soon!
About the book:
Fun, easy and inexpensive family entertainment—you’ll find it all in Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
Thanks for reading my blog! If you enjoy the items on this website, we'd love to have your support in any of the following ways:
~recommend our site to your friends
~"like" us on facebook
~follow us on twitter
~check out our youtube video (or youtube channel) and share it with your friends (coming soon)
~if you have a blog, link back to us (or if you enjoy family nights or family fun activities together, blog about it and link to our site)
~use our links to shop on amazon.com (when you link to amazon from our site, we receive a modest commission at no extra cost to you)
~tell your friends about the book Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
~buy your own copy of Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
Laurie Moulton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Are you in the greater Rochester, New York area? Are you looking for a speaker for your school, church or parent/moms group?
Laurie Moulton loves to talk to families about starting their own family fun nights. Save money on high-cost entertainment, make long lasting memories, and enjoy your family-Laurie will share easy ideas and activities to accomplish these goals!
Laurie Moulton is author of Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
Questions? Find out more by contacting Laurie Moulton directly at familythemenights(at)excite(dot)com.
About the book:
Fun, easy and inexpensive family entertainment—you’ll find it all in Let the Adventure Begin! Theme Nights for Families with Young Children: Fun & Easy Family Night Activities
