When I was a kid, my dad used to jot down clues. White strips of paper with his perfect block letters, led us all over the house until we found the prize: a stick of Wrigley’s Gum. I loved these hunts. Sure, the gum lost its flavor in 30 seconds, but I loved that stick of gum. I still remember unwrapping the thick silver wrapping, and thinking about how it smelled just like my dad’s armoire, where he kept all of his interesting things like his flashlight, mechanical pencils, and, well, his stash of gum. These hunts always felt so special and fun. My dad went out of his way to make that happen.
That’s the memory I was thinking about when I planned last week’s Family Fun Night.
Everything came into place when I spotted Frosty the Snowman on sale at the grocery store. Without the girls noticing, I snagged a copy and hid it at the bottom of the cart under a loaf of bread. They didn’t have a clue!
Until, of course, we got home and I jotted down a stack of hints that would have everyone – Ryan, included – running all the way up to the attic and back again, until finally, they discovered Frosty, waiting with a smiling face.
We piled on the couch and enjoyed that old classic together, the girls laughing at the silly magician and sniffling at the melted Frosty, just like I used to do when I was a girl.
(Ooo, and BONUS: Ryan brought home soft pretzels that he toasted up and slathered with Nutella. FAMILY. FUN. NIGHT. BABY.)
Isn’t it interesting that when we make an event out of an opportune treasure, we can lighten hearts and unify souls? Let’s be on the look-out for more ways to bless our families this week!
Humble or extravagant, melted or not, did you enjoy a special time with your family this week? We’d love to hear about it! Link on up!
7 Comments to "Family Fun Friday: Scavanger Surprise"
What a fun idea! I don’t have this anywhere I can link to so I thought I’d just tell you that we do the scavenger hunt thing for Christmas. Since Santa doesn’t come to our house we wanted to make it fun for our boys to find their gifts (that and they are older)so we started a scavenger hunt for them on Christmas morning. Each of them starts with a clue that takes them someplace cold for their favorite beverage, then they move on from there to some off the wall place in the house (the bathtub has been used) and then the final clue is to actually find their gift. One of the boys found their gift in the front seat of the car they drive, another time it was in the garage and once we even hid it in one of their rooms before they woke up! The boys are 23, 18 and 12 now and they still love that newish tradition (we’ve done it for about 6 years)!
So fun! My boys love to follow clues and find things, I am totally inspired to do something Christmas-themed for them -perfect to stay busy during their holiday breaks from school
Tomorrow I am going to take my guys on a date to Starbucks for some hot chocolate.
How fun!!
We just bought those classic Christmas cartoons recently. Jason sat down with our oldest to watch Frosty the other night while I enjoyed a bubble bath. She let me know how much she liked it, but she really didn’t like the sad part where Frosty melted … it almost made her cry, she said.
I used to love it when my mom would do that for us…hide clues all over the house to find something special. As for the gum, Mom’s was Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum (even though I thought at the time that Doublemint wasn’t NEARLY as cool as Juicy Fruit). I can smell it today and instantly I’m transported back to my childhood, looking through her purse for a treat. : )
My family spent Saturday night together, just the three of us. We were celebrating my son’s 11th birthday which was yesterday. We went to see Narnia and I cried. Oh, my, did I cry. There’s one part (and it’s not the end) that just made me start sobbing quietly. I hoped no one could hear me. After the movie we went to eat Fazoli’s, Kiddo’s choice, then went to a friend’s house for another birthday party. Good times. : )
Thanks for sharing your great family fun ideas Laura!
I saw this idea last week when you posted it and I am so excited because we are going to do it tonight! I picked up a copy of Veggie Tales- It’s a Meaningful Life for my boys last night on a date with my hubby! I’m planning the ‘clues’ right now! I’m going to try and remember to take pics so I can post about it! I’ll let you know if I do!
What a fun time! I would love to hear what sort of movies you recommend. We want movies that are uplifting and appropriate. Any suggestions?