Fun Indoor Family Activities
Hot Drinks
Warm up the fam from the inside out with a warm, tasty drink! A fall fav is definitely hot apple cider. Gently warm store-bought cider (not alcoholic cider or apple juice) over medium-low heat with a cinnamon stick, some whole cloves, and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Or try making homemade hot chocolate (our fav!) – it’s easier than you think, and bonus – you control the sugar! Don’t forget the marshmallows or whipped cream on top!
Cozy Fort
There is something so fun and satisfying about building a cozy fort. It’s also the perfect indoor activity that will keep the kids busy for hours. Grab some large, light-weight blankets or sheets, throw pillows, and a chair or two and let them build the fort of their dreams! Once built, give the kids a flashlight and listen as they giggle and whisper away.
Hearty Meals
Get the whole family involved in making dinner. Cooler weather means soups, stews and hearty dishes in our house. Try our cornbread chili recipe – it’s sure to please! Another seasonal option is butternut squash soup. It’s as simple as roasting peeled butternut squash cubes in the oven with onion and garlic. When squash is tender, puree the vegetables with some homemade chicken bone broth, season and serve! Mix it up by adding a roasted apple to the soup, some cinnamon and a pinch of chili powder.
Movie/Game Night
Gather the family around for a movie night that the whole gang will enjoy! Grab some popcorn or snacks from your latest Balanced Snack Box, a cozy blanket like the woven throw in our Winter Balanced Lifestyle Box for Women and cuddle up on the couch for a fun family movie. Post-movie, pull out your family board games and unleash some friendly competition. Let your kids pick their favourite game and don’t forget a prize – winner gets to pick the next movie!
Apples, Apples, Apples
With apples still in abundance, make them the star of your dessert course this November. They are healthy, nutritious, and versatile – think baked apples served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, apple crisp or even homemade apple pie. Not sure which apples to use? Get the whole family involved in an apple taste test! Grab 4 or 5 different apple varieties from the store or local orchard (gala, honey crisp, pink lady, empire, fuji, northern spy, etc.) and slice them thin on separate plates. Let your family blind taste test each one to see which one they like best. Here’s a tasty idea for the leftover apple slices – apple ‘nachos’! Spread out the apple slices on a large cutting board or tray. Warm a couple tablespoons of nut butter and chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle on top of the apples. Top with chopped nuts, dried cranberries, raisins, toasted coconut or chocolate chips. Then dig in and enjoy!
As you can see, just because the weather is changing does not mean that the family fun has to stop. Move it indoors and enjoy all the cozy activities that will help create more family memories and traditions for years to come.
To your Balanced health,
Your friends at The Balanced Company
