Things to Do With Teens: Fun Family Activities with Teenagers

As kids get older, finding things to do with teens can feel challenging. They become more independent and get busy with friends, school, and work responsibilities. You might find they're less enthusiastic about family time than they were when they were younger. But connection doesn't have to fade as your kids become teens. With a little creativity and intention, you can still enjoy fun family activities with teenagers that don't feel forced (or "cringe") and that just might become some favourite shared memories.

Before I get into the list of fun ideas for families with teens, here are a few tips for how to go about choosing and planning activities that will work best for your family:

DIY Pennant Banner (Paper Triangle Bunting) Tutorial

This simple tutorial will show you how to make a pennant banner out of paper- perfect for parties, seasonal decor, or just adding a touch of charm to any space. When I shared the paper triangle bunting I made for Talia's Teddy Bear Picnic Birthday Party it became a popular post. The tutorial I linked to is no longer available, so I've received a lot of comments from people requesting a tutorial.

Here it is!

Pennant Banner Supplies:

He Lives - Free Printable Easter Banner

Looking for a Free Printable Easter Banner? This beautiful ‘He Lives’ banner in soft pastel colors is the perfect way to celebrate Easter at home, church, or a festive gathering. Simply download, print, and hang for an easy DIY decoration!

If you're searching for more printable Easter decorations, I recently shared a free scripture verse printable that makes a lovely framed reminder of Easter’s meaning. Today, I’m excited to share this adorable free printable Easter banner designed by Bettijo from Paging Supermom.  I love the colours she chose, and I can’t wait to pick up some mini clothespins from the dollar store to recreate the look!


Click Here to download a copy to print for yourself! :)

Recharging Mind, Body, and Spirit at Ste. Anne's Spa

I invite you to visit Ste. Anne's Spa with me through the photographs and descriptions in this post. My hope is that it will be an opportunity for recharging mind, body, and spirit- virtually!

As mothers, we all have times when we just become overwhelmed with the responsibilities in our lives and we need to give ourselves some time to relax, to nurture ourselves, to take a break and to recharge. Sometimes I am able to accomplish this by going out on a girls' night with a friend and taking a few hours to sit and sip hot chocolate while talking about life as a mother and the different challenges we are each facing and things we are learning along the way. Sometimes I can get the break I need by just taking some time to read a book by myself or paint my nails or take a bubble bath!

Note: This post was originally published several years ago, but I wanted to share it again because it's still relevant and it was a wonderful experience worth revisiting! The spa has undergone some additions and improvements since our visit, but my overall thoughts remain the same! 

A couple of weeks ago, my mom and I found a bigger way to escape together from the pressures of our daily lives, to a spa resort in Ontario, and it was amazing! We took a long drive to a beautiful destination called Ste. Anne's Spa in Haldimand Hills, Ontario. It was a dream experience!

Free Printable Nesting Easter Envelopes & Cards

As I continue to share a collection of beautiful Easter printables with you this month, I'm excited about these beautiful Nesting Doll-style Easter Envelopes. They're a creative way to give someone a little gift that focuses on the real meaning of Easter. These were created by Heidi Swapp.  Each envelope has a scripture reference inside. When you put them together, you'll be able to keep opening them and revealing a new message on each that helps to tell the story and miracle of Easter.


There are 5 envelopes that get progressively smaller, tucked inside each other. Opening them this way will allow the reader time to look up the scripture references and think about each one as the story unfolds.

These are the little messages inside of the envelopes:

Easter Scripture Scavenger Hunt & French Toast Bake

My kids are pretty excited to bake together, but add a scavenger hunt to search for the ingredients list? Well, they're going to love this! :) Colette from My Computer is my Canvas created this adorable printable Easter scavenger hunt to go with her Easter French Toast Bake recipe (free printable recipe card coming up!).




This cute printable scavenger hunt will send your kids into the scriptures to uncover the list of ingredients for the recipe (which you will have a cute recipe card for, with complete instructions and list of ingredients- just don't tell your kids before they complete their hunt! ;).

Turning Outdoor Activities Into Indoor Activities for Rainy Days

When the rain starts falling, it can feel like the perfect excuse to stay indoors, and with a little creativity, you can turn outdoor activities into indoor activities for rainy days! Instead of letting the weather keep your kids cooped up, why not bring the fun inside? With a few simple adjustments, you can transform games, crafts, and even learning experiences into rainy day adventures. Whether it’s an art project, a scavenger hunt, or a dance party, there are endless ways to keep your little ones entertained without ever stepping outside.

We had a lot of fun thinking about how to transform some typically outdoor activities into indoor activities. We had fun testing each of them out! They're all tried-and-tested and can be done with materials you have around the house or can pick up at a dollar store. 

Read on for lots of ideas for indoor fun for kids! 

Start a Fun Journal & Make Space for Joy in Life

Finding time for fun in everyday life can be challenging, especially when responsibilities take priority. That’s why I’m starting a Fun Journal—a simple way to capture joyful moments and make space for more fun. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create your own Fun Journal, why it works, and how it can help you focus on joy and gratitude.

Polka Dot Rainbow Cake

Here are some helpful tips and tricks for constructing a polka dot rainbow cake, decorated on the outside with the petal cake style.  
In this post, I'll focus on tips & tricks for execution rather than sharing a full recipe. Since you can find recipes for both of these types of cakes online already, I've linked to some recipes at the end of this post. 
For Talia's 8th birthday party, she wanted a polka dot birthday party. I knew that I wanted to make a cake surprise for her with a rainbow polka dot cake. I wasn't sure how I would decorate it on the outside until I came across what is called a petal cake which is the technique I used to frost the exterior- I love the effect!

Rainbow Polka Dot Cake

How to Make a Polka Dot Cake

I used store bought cream cheese frosting for between the layers and a crumb coat (because I was worried that I would run out of the homemade cream cheese frosting that I used for the rainbow part). 

Rainbow Grilled Cheese

A couple years ago, for St. Patrick's Day we made rainbow grilled cheese and I thought it was such a fun idea that could be used any time you want to make lunch more fun!  I had a few people ask how to make it, so I put the instructions here.

Rainbow Grilled Cheese Recipe

All you need to create this colourful meal is bread, butter, white cheese, and food colouring.

Start by grating your cheese (we used havarti mixed with mozarella) and separate into four bowls.  This article recommends some of the best cheeses for melting and getting a stringy effect- which is a big bonus for rainbow grilled cheese sandwiches!

Focus on Fun: Rediscovering Yourself After Motherhood

It's hard to focus on fun! Have you ever noticed how easy it is to put fun on the back burner? Life gets busy, responsibilities pile up, and before we know it, the things we do just for fun start to feel like a luxury instead of a priority. But what if making space for fun was actually one of the best things we could do for ourselves? 

Artist Date Ideas & Inspiration Tailored to YOU!

After reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, I've been working on making weekly Artist Dates a habit. Sometimes the challenge is how to come up with new or unique Artist Date ideas!

I'm probably not the only one facing this, so I've gathered a list of prompts to help you come up with some personalized Artist Date ideas that are right for you!

Try these prompts & see how many ideas you come up with: