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YOU ’ LL NE V ER FORGET

“Because we imagine, we are free.”

Posted on February 25, 2017, by @missmelis1112

The Backstory

“We had nothing to do on one brisk winter evening, so my husband, the kids, and I decided to ‘get lost’ and have a spontaneous adventure. We often go out and explore new areas. This time we went to the local lake and stumbled upon a huge, skull-like rock. My husband and kids love to build forts at home, so we all worked together to create the wooden structure around the rock. My husband and I rounded up the larger logs and driftwood to build the frame, while the kids found smaller sticks and placed them where they thought best. I loved seeing all three of my kids work together and feed off each other’s imaginations. After it was built, we played pirates until it was time for dinner. This photo reflects both their creativity and ingenuity as they bring to life this amazing fantasy world.”

Photographer Melissa Haugen, Roseville, CA

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WHAT’S UP IN OUR WORLD AND YOURS

My daughter was in love with Hans from Frozen, of all people! And she was only 3.

Jessica Helinski Columbus, OH

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WHO WAS YOUR KID’S FIRST CRUSH?

My son was head over heels in love with the same girl since preschool and gave her a cupcake ring on Valentine’s Day. We moved school districts last year, and they still write letters to each other! They are too cute!

Kerri Anderson Plum City, WI

My 6-year-old son completely loved his babysitter! He was heartbroken when she got married.

Jennifer Cox Mountain Home, ID

When my son was in preschool, he was in love with a girl name Rachel and talked about marrying her. One day I asked if he was going to marry her, and he said, “No, I don’t have a tux! ”

Mary Fessler Centerville, OH

When my son was in kindergarten, he wanted to take a classmate on a Valentine’s date. He said, “I need you to buy me some flowers and a nice suit.”

Allison Cockrill Austin, AR

HAVE MORE FAMILYFUN ONLINE!

We want to hear from you! Show us your projects and ideas with #HowWeFun @familyfunmag FamilyFun @FamilyFun FamilyFunmag

Volunteering in your community is a great way to spend a Saturday.

JOIN US IN THE FAMILY KINDNESS CHALLENGE

When it seems like there’s nothing but stres sful news in the world, there’s only one thing to do: Spread as much joy as you can! A new program called The Great Kindness Challenge: Family Edition encourages—and empowers— families to not only deepen their connections with each other, but their communities too.

The program grew out of an in-school initiative created in 2012 by the Carlsbad, CA-based nonprofit Kids for Peace, led by veteran teacher and cofounder Jill McManigal. She and a group of students brainstormed a checklist of 50 ways to be kind at school during a single week . “It was a way for kids to do something positive to create a culture of inclusion, joy, and respect,” McManigal says . The program was a hit at the three founding schools, and the word quickly spread, inspiring hundreds of new schools to join the challenge every year. In 2017, 10 million students in more than 15,000 schools worldwide participated.

The next goal, with the help of partner Hasbro and its Be Fearless Be Kind initiative , is to bring the program into your home. To get started, simply make a pledge to complete 50 acts of kindness—use the program’s list on the right or make your own!

Everything kicks off the week of January 22, but there’s no time limit to finish. Take a month or a year. The hope is that this will remind you that one family can make a difference, and you can give back to your community. “We want parents to know that empathy and kindness are critical skills we all need to cultivate, especially with our kids,” says Karen Davis, senior vice president of global philanthropy and social impact at Hasbro Inc. in Providence, RI.

Are you ready? Save this page, put it on the fridge, and start checking off your family’s good deeds. Share your experiences by tagging #GKCFamilyFun on social media. The FamilyFun editors will be joining in too. We can’t wait to see all the good you accomplish!

The Great Kindness Challenge: Family Edition

Let’s create a kinder world. Take a week, a month, or a year. Have fun and complete as many acts of kindness as you can.

Smile at 25 people. Take a treat to your local firefighters. Do a household chore without being asked. Donate something to an animal shelter. Take a board game to play at a senior center. Read a book to a younger child. Make a thank-you card for your librarians. Entertain someone with a happy dance. Create a family gratitude jar. Cheer for every player on both teams. Deliver a special gift to a child in the hospital. Make a new friend or welcome a new neighbor. Send a card or gift to a military family. Walk or pet an animal— but ask fi rst! Go a full day without complaining. Hold the door open for someone. Learn to say “thank you” in a new language. Embrace your family with a big hug. Teach something to a younger sibling or friend. Write or draw a loving note for someone. Make and display a “kindness matters” sign. Raise funds and donate to your favorite cause. Watch the sunrise or sunset together. Breathe, stretch, and think a happy thought. Cut out ten hearts and leave them on ten cars. Donate needed school supplies. Thank a bus driver. Leave a fl ower on someone’s doorstep. Be kind to yourself and eat a healthy snack. Call your grandparents or an esteemed elder. Walk or bike instead of driving. Say “thank you” to a police offi cer. Bake cookies and share with your neighbors. Say “good morning” to fi ve people. Pick up and recycle trash in your neighborhood. Take a family walk outside. Draw a heart in the sand or dirt. Write a thank-you note to your mail carrier. Make a wish for a child in another country. Volunteer in your community. Say “hi” to someone who looks sad. Write a happy message with sidewalk chalk. Paint a kindness rock and randomly place it. Share food with someone who is hungry. Sincerely compliment fi ve people. Post a positive message on social media. Let someone go ahead of you in line. Help plant a garden. Refl ect on acts of kindness you witnessed today. Create your own kind deed.

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FUN FINDS FROM OUR ADV ERTISERS

MOM’S NIGHT OUT We celebrated some of our favorite mom bloggers at our 2nd annual “Mom’s Night Out” social influencer event in New York City on October 3. Moms enjoyed an evening meeting our editors, mingling with other bloggers, interacting with our sponsors, and trying fabulous products.

In partnership with:

Sponsored by: ticket-worthy

WINTER FLICKS

It’s the perfect time for a family outing to the movies. These are our favorites coming to theaters soon.

February 9 PETER RABBIT The classic nursery story is brought to life with a mix of animation and live-action. The bunny with no pants battles Mr. McGregor to win the love of their next-door neighbor. Expect lots of attitude and hijinks from Peter as he stops at nothing to prevail.

February 16 EARLY MAN Go on a journey back to the beginning of time in this hilarious stopmotion animated movie. Your whole tribe will love watching as the cavemen and women, led by main character Dug, compete in a soccer game to save their home from being taken over by Lord Nooth and the Bronze Age City.

March 9 A WRINKLE IN TIME After Meg Murry’s scientist father goes missing, she and a friend embark on a fantasy adventure through time and space with help from celestial beings Mrs. Which, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Whatsit. Astrophysics, good and evil, and other dimensions? Your kids will be hooked.

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Arts and Craftin’

Calling all little artists! The Museum of Modern Art has the perfect kit for every mini Matisse or Pollock. Designed by MoMA educators, each kit has guided activities relating to a well-known modern artist that are both educational and fun. Kids can paint and cut bright shapes like Matisse, try different brushstrokes and color-mixing techniques like Vincent van Gogh, or even create a splatter-paint work like Pollock. Ages 8 and up, $20 to $25; target.com

PRESIDENTIAL SWEETS

Looking for some long-weekend fun? Honor a couple of our country’s past leaders with these cookies.

For Abe:

Start by drawing a face on a

vanilla wafer

using a black edible marker. Use one square of a chocolate bar as the top of the hat, and a thin slice of chocolate as the brim. Place mini

chocolate chips

around the rest of the circle for the perfect beard. Secure all the features using a toothpick dipped in frosting.

For George:

Again, start by using a black edible marker to draw a face onto a vanilla wafer cookie. Cut mini

marshmallows

into pieces to use for George’s hair. Then for the collar, flatten and cut another mini marshmallow. Place a mini

chocolate chip

in the center. Secure all the features with frosting applied with a toothpick.

Better Meals Begin Here

It’s easier to get to a better meal when you start with our ready-to-heat rice because it pairs perfectly with fresh veggies and lean proteins that make creating a balanced meal quick and convenient. So, be sure to visit UncleBens.com when you need a dash of dinnertime inspiration.