It’s all too easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of your daily life. Before you know it, your kids will graduate high school and go their separate ways, and you’ll be left wondering where the time went. But you don’t have to let life slip by. With a few intentional steps, you can create lasting memories for yourself and your family — all in front of the fireplace!
Whether on a cool summer night or a blistering winter evening, you can gather your family together around the crackling fire for fun activities that will have everyone participating. From games to arts and crafts, there’s something for every mood. So, grab your blankets and mugs or board games and snacks, and prepare to have a cozy night in or a roaring good time with these fireplace activities for the whole family!
Share Childhood Stories
For centuries, families have been gathering around fires to share stories. The warm, crackling fire makes everyone comfortable enough to delve into their favorite memories. So if it’s been a while since you’ve had genuine conversations with your family due to the craziness of everyday life, consider lighting your fireplace, warming up some hot cocoa, and inviting your spouse and kids to join you on the hearth for some storytelling.
Start the conversation by sharing one of your favorite moments from childhood. Perhaps it was when you got your first bike or won a dance competition. Maybe it was simply seeing your parents in the audience at every single one of your basketball games. After sharing your own memories, go around the circle giving everyone time to relate their favorite stories. The nostalgia will have everyone feeling closer than ever.
Do Some Arts & Crafts
Try an arts and crafts project if you’re looking for a calming fireplace activity that the whole family can enjoy. It can be as straightforward or as complex as you would like. Young children especially love getting their hands dirty and will appreciate an activity that is tactile and creative at the same time. For example, finger painting could be a great activity in front of the fireplace. Still, if you want to control the mess, you opt for painting with brushes, coloring books, scrapbooking, creating string art, making a terrarium, or making scented candles! The possibilities for arts and crafts around the fireplace are truly endless.
Finish a Puzzle
Puzzles are a great way to bring the entire family together. They encourage collaboration and communication while offering a stress-free experience. You can choose a puzzle of your family’s favorite TV show, a place that has a special place in your heart, or even a picture of your entire family together. Everyone will be able to unwind from a hectic week while sitting in front of the fireplace and putting together a picture that has significance to everyone in the group.
Challenge Each Other to Games
Does your family have a competitive spirit? There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned game night to bring everyone together. And best part of all is that you likely already have everything you need to create the perfect night! So pull out your family’s favorite card or board games, whip up some snacks, and light your fireplace for the ultimate game night.
Read Together
You don’t have to run yourself ragged in order to create beautiful memories with your family. Sometimes, the quietest moments can be the most impactful. If your kids are still learning to read, consider sitting with them in front of the fireplace and reading picture books together. Or simply read aloud to them and let their imaginations run wild. If your kids are strong, independent readers, have the family sit wrapped up in blankets with their favorite books. Being in each other’s presence is often enough to build a strong bond.
See How Well You Know Each Other
Another great fireplace activity the whole family will enjoy is a simple game of Two Truths and a Lie. During this game, each family member will have a turn stating two truths about themselves and one lie. Then, everyone else has to guess which one is the lie. This can be a fun way to learn about your family’s interests (and potentially how good they are at lying!).
Curl Up Together for a Family Movie Night
If you need a way to wind down from the day, have a family movie night before the fireplace. The roaring fire will keep everyone warm as you watch your family’s favorite movies. Consider taking turns picking a film if you have trouble agreeing on a movie. Then, your kids will look forward to getting cozy in front of the fire every week while sharing their favorite flicks.
Build a Pillow Fort
Practically every adult can recall a moment in their childhood when they built a pillow fort. You can be a part of your child’s memories by helping them create the ultimate pillow fort in front of your fireplace. Use as many blankets, pillows, and couch cushions as possible — remember to keep everything safe from the fire. After building the fort, consider using some of the fireplace activities above for additional fun.
Bring Your Family Together in Front of a New Fireplace
Fireplaces have the powerful ability to draw people together. Make the most use of your home’s fireplace by having your whole family participate in one or more of these fireplace activities. With some careful planning, you can help your family members create memories that will last them a lifetime.
Before lighting your fireplace, make sure it’s ready to keep your family warm and cozy safely. The TN Fireplace & Chimney team specializes in chimney inspections and can ensure yours is in tip-top shape. If you’re ready for a change, we can also help you with a new fireplace construction that will elevate the style and functionality of your house. So reach out to our team today to discuss getting your fireplace ready for all your fun activities.
