From November 18 – 25, The Goddard School® is hosting Family Appreciation Week! We love all of our Goddard families and want to thank all of you for allowing us to be an important part of your village. We know how important it is to create space for families to feel supported and valued, and you can recreate this same energy at home, too. Below, are some simple but meaningful activities you can do together as a family, each designed to help everyone feel loved and connected.
1. Start with Gratitude
Make time to express gratitude with your loved ones. It could be at the dinner table or before bed, and doesn’t have to be elaborate. Share one thing you’re grateful for about your family. For younger children, this can be as simple as saying, “I love when Dad makes funny faces” or “I feel happy when Mom reads to me.” You could also create a family gratitude jar where you write notes for each other (or have your children draw pictures) and read them together at the end of the week.
2. Make a Family Vision Board
A family vision board can be a wonderful way to celebrate who you are as a family and what you want to do together. All you need are some magazines, paper, scissors and glue. Invite everyone to cut out pictures or words that represent what they love most about your family. With younger children, you can pre-cut materials or have them draw something for the board. Hang it up somewhere you can all see. You could also change it up seasonally to celebrate your family’s evolving story!
3. Create a Family Playlist
Music is something that connects all of us together. Ask each family member to pick a few favorite songs and then create a playlist together. Let each person take turns as the DJ during family time, car rides or while cleaning up together. Dancing and singing together will make you feel close and create fun memories.
4. Go on a Family Memory Hunt
Create a treasure hunt using family memories or inside jokes as clues. You can hide small notes around the house with prompts like, “Where did we make our famous pancake breakfast?” or “Go to the place where we all laugh the hardest.” The treasure can be anything. If you wanted to keep the family theme, it could be photos that you then use to create a photo album.
5. Design a Family Keepsake
One of the simplest but most meaningful keepsakes you can create is a family handprint canvas. Using a large canvas or sturdy paper, have each family member dip their hands in paint and press it onto the canvas. If the canvas is large enough, you can date it and add new handprints over the years.
Remember, It’s About Connection, Not Perfection
Each of these activities is a way to remind each other, “I see you, I love you and I’m glad we’re a family.” There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate, so embrace every moment from messy to happy and everything in between. Family Appreciation Week is a time to celebrate, but it’s also a chance to create rituals that bring joy, warmth and connection to your family all year long.
