Today, we want to show you how easy it is to make 365 Days of Play possible for every family! Check out a few of our favorite play ideas for families.
At the Inspired Treehouse, we believe that with a little help, kids can build strong, healthy bodies and minds through play. When families are active, playing and moving together every single day, they see immediate benefits in the form of improved physical fitness, increased quality time together and overall healthy development.
Most family play can be free or super easy on the wallet, but when you need some gear or there are other expenses are involved, the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card can help. With 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases and no annual fee, the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card can make possible happen.
Get Started Today with 365 Days of Play!
If you’re having a hard time coming up with fun play ideas for your family, use the following categories to help you brainstorm. We’ve included a few of our favorite ideas from each category to get you started, but get creative! What play ideas can your family come up with together?
Explore the Magic of Your Backyard!
Going somewhere new is always fun, but there are plenty of adventures to be had right in your own backyard too!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Play on the swingset.
Shoot some hoops with one of these driveway basketball games.
Play with sidewalk chalk.
Catch fireflies.
Play with hula hoops.
Set up a lemonade stand.
Play with bubbles.
Have a squirt gun or hose fight.
Try a round of backyard golf!
Try Some Indoor Fun!
What if the weather’s not cooperating? No worries! Sometimes a low-key day inside is the best way to inspire play and quality time.
Try these easy ideas for play inside:
Play with your couch cushions!
Have a family game night.
Play I Spy With a Twist.
Let the kids have some fun in the bath!
Play with Play-Doh.
Go Somewhere New!
A little change of scenery goes a long way when it comes to engagement and play. Simply visiting a place you’ve never been as a family can inspire excitement and adventure!
Try one of these ideas:
Visit a new museum.
Try out a new water park.
Go on a road trip.
Pack up for a camping trip in a new spot.
Work and Play as a Team!
Looking for some awesome quality time with your family? Set up a teamwork challenge! Activities where you have to solve a problem or conquer a goal together are fun and beneficial for everyone!
Here are some of our favorites:
Try a blindfold challenge.
Race through this wacky relay.
Go geocaching.
Work together to create a partner painting masterpiece.
Cook a meal together.
Learn a new skill – cartwheels, somersaults, monkey bars, swimming!
Get Moving!
Some of our favorite ways to play as a family are also great ways to get in shape! Physically active play is more than just fun, it sets kids up for a lifetime of making fitness a priority in their lives.
Get up and moving with these fun activities:
Take a bike ride.
How about some rough and tumble play?
Fly a kite.
Find a new hiking trail.
Head to the playground.
Climb a tree.
Go canoeing or kayaking.
Try a sensory motor scavenger hunt!
Try yoga together as a family.
Check out these jump rope games.
Create Something Together!
Getting creative as a family is a great way to play together! Try building something or making a masterpiece as a team!
Here are some ideas to get those creative juices flowing:
Try your hand at origami.
Make a simple craft.
Try some sticky note art.
Use Your Imagination!
When all else fails, pretend or imaginative play is one of the best (and most entertaining) ways to play together as a family. And good news…pretend play is almost always free! All you need is a great storyline and some simple props!
Here are some of our favorite ideas:
Play dress up.
Make your own movie or play.
Make your own musical instrument and start a band!
Bring out all of the stuffed animals in the house and play pet shop.
Line up all of the chairs in the house, get out a few suitcases and pretend you’re on a train or plane!
Learn how animals fall asleep and pretend to be each one.
See what we mean? 365 Days of Play for your family doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive! It can be as simple as the ideas above. And when you do need to pick up craft supplies or pay everyone’s admission to that new awesome water park, the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card can help!
Plus, with the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card, you could earn a $100 customer relationship bonus! The card is offering $100 for customers who spend $500 in the first three months and have a relationship with U.S. Bank. If you do not already have a relationship, you can open one and still receive the bonus if done within 30 days. Very cool! If you would like to learn more about the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card, or to apply, click here! Visit U.S. Bank online to learn more!
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What travel necessity would you first spend your cash back on? Leave a comment for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
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I’d spend my money on gasoline! It may not be glamorous, but it’s definitely a necessity when it comes to traveling and commuting!
The first travel necessity that I would spend my cash back on would be gas and snacks for the road.
I would buy luggage for my daughter.
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/760650449854881792
I would spend it on camera
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/760677691989237761
I would spend the cash back on gas. love road trips. :) Great ideas on creating fun memories for the family!
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/760747147490758657
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
My luggage is outdated so I would buy some new modern luggage to take a trip with.
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/760806195913383938
I would use this on gasoline, and tickets to see my favorite attraction.
https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/760832729965625344
I would use the cash back to buy luggage! I do not own a single piece of luggage for travel! I have been borrowing a friend’s suitcase.
tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/760940861790322688
I would first spend my cash back on quality travel bags.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/761034431872184320
I would buy new spinner luggage.
The travel necessity I would purchase with my cash back bonus is luggage. We have a trip planned early next year and new baggage is already on our purchase list.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/761323021575528448.
I would spend it on some books and activities to keep the kids busy in the car, and I would spend the rest doing memorable things with our family on a vacation.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
I would spend it on snacks.
https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/762607612038901760
I’d spend it on a hotel stay.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/763569119853555712
I would buy a quality carry-on piece of luggage with wheels.
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/763673775124516864
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/763821397453971457
I would use the cash back to buy luggage.
I would spend it on a nice quality camera for lots of picture taking.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/764180164594966528
I would purchase a camera bag and strap with my cash back.
https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/764604074423676933
How awesome! I could definitely use a bit more travel in my life. I would first put it towards a good cooler for my family!
starla.bates AT yahoo.com
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/mmstarla/status/764698311857205249
I would probably spend it on a nice new camera. Great ideas you listed for summer fun!
https://twitter.com/Natashalamoreu1/status/766430242655334400
I would use this for gas and food while we travel.
I need a GPS system so I don’t get lost!
I would spend the cash back on gas. You can’t get far without it!
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/767367772783468544
I’d buy a makeup travel kit.
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/767442224317628416
I would use it towards buying some luggage. Thanks so much.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/767476548958052352
Thanks again.
With the cash back I would buy some audio books.
A great past time at the right time.
thank you
Tweeted https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/767935358856069120
The first thing I would get is a new window shade! Mine is getting a little tattered and we definitely need one here in the desert. HOT SEATS!!!!!
Then I would buy some beach towels because we would be heading off to the coast for cooler weather!
The cash back would go toward gas for the car.
Gas!
I would spend it on new luggage. Mine is pretty old.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/768233494971490304
The first travel essential I would get is some new luggage!
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/768843189251928065
I would get new luggage
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/769568093882449920
I would buy a carry-on never had one before
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/769679590423982080
I’d spend it on something fun for the family! truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)com
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/769775037796585472
I would buy gas so I can finally take a long awaited road trip.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/770165230965919744
New luggage!
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/770442105563021312
i would use it towards a new travel cooler
https://twitter.com/linjumimom/status/770753388074065920
I’d buy a new piece of carry-on luggage – mine is in terrible shape!
I would spend it on a few new clothes, which I would need if I was going to travel.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/770813064161562624
I would buy new luggage.
I’d buy a few new games for the iPad. Always makes travelling with a kid easier.
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/771102798251450368
i would buy a new travel tote bag and also a portable power charger for charging my phone
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/771203609199415296
Probably a portable car charger, travel bags and a first aid kit
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/771428356487274496
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
The travel necessity that I would first spend my cash back on would be an airplane ticket.
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/771453668075843584
One travel necessity I MUST have is batteries! I love taking photos and I don’t want to run out of power in the midst of something great :)
Tweeted :) – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/771466576675483650
#SweepstakesEntry- comment
I would apply any cash back towards the cost of renewing my US Passport
#SweepstakesEntry tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/771471627238408192