2002 Volunteer Leader Training Guide
Building Family Assets and Memories
Handout 1
76 Ways to Invest in Your Family

1. Keep a family journal and record special events.

2. Create a code name for everyone in your family.

3. Write a family motto or creed.

4. Make a family museum.

5. Make a graffiti wall in your house.

6. Plan and grow a garden together.

7. Record interviews with grandparents.

8. Record grandparents reading favorite childhood books.

9. Make a book of funny statements.

10. Explore your family history.

11. Plan and take a family vacation.

12. Have an indoor summer picnic when it is freezing outside.

13. Hold a Christmas in July party.

14. Create your own family holiday and celebrate big!

15. Create a play city using blankets, chairs and tables.

16. Have a family scavenger hunt.

17. Work on chores together instead of individually.

18. Make a family movie.

19. Share family stories.

20. Have guests autograph a birthday tablecloth each year.

21. Plant a tree when a child is born.

22. Have a water fight.

23. Play mud football or have gunny sack races in the mud.

24. Pass on family heirlooms or symbols.

25. Make a family flag.

26. Write a family song.

27. Create a family newsletter to keep grown children posted.

28. Read together.

29. Fix a bike together.

30. Paint a fence together.

31. Build a snowman, igloo or ice sculpture.

32. Go on a hike.

33. Go camping.

34. Design a family t-shirt.

35. Play in the sand pile.

36. Cook hot dogs or marshmallows in your fireplace.

37. Create a memorial for a deceased pet.

38. Help out a neighbor as a family.

39. Write and share poems.

40. Hold a family talent show.

41. Play a board game.

42. Have a family "dessert" contest.

43. Create a canvas mural using family hand and foot prints.

44. Pray together.

45. Wash and wax the car together.

46. Write kind messages on the mirrors, window, counters or refrigerator with washable markers.

47. Organize your photos.

48. Make a scrapbook.

49. Write and send letters to each other.

50. Put messages of encouragement and love in lunch boxes and planners.

51. Watch the sunset as a family.

52. Go for a family walk during a summer rain.

53. Plan and build a tree house.

54. Discuss and practice your emergency response plan.

55. Do dishes by "hand" together.

56. Send coded messages to each other.

57. Fly kites together.

58. Write your government leaders as a family.

59. Plan and take your own family photos - and be creative.

60. Serve green eggs and ham.

61. Sing together.

62. Share a hobby as a family.

63. Make snowflakes.

64. Discuss religious or political beliefs.

65. Hold a family meeting.

66. Share jokes or create a family joke.

67. Share something each of you learned during the day.

68. Draw chalk messages or pictures on the sidewalk.

69. Make a huge birthday banner.

70. Make a family float for the parade.

71. Share what each of you would do with $100,000.

72. Celebrate firsts and lasts, such as the last day of school.

73. Plan ways to say "no" to alcohol, drugs and peer pressure.

74. Plan a date with each family member.

75. Hug one another and tell each family member you love them.

76. Make a popcorn ball 3 feet in diameter. 

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