Family Scrapbook Night

In today's busy world it's harder than ever to set aside time for family activities. More than ever, though, it's important to stay connected with each other. One great way to do this is by having a family scrapbook night. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Make it fun. The first time you have a family scrapbook night your kids might not understand or appreciate the value of working together. Teenagers especially might resist, but be positive and insist they at least give it a try. Put on some music, gather your materials, and let each person start doing a task that they will enjoy. Young children love to sort colors of paper or pens, while older children might like sorting through photos or using decorative scissors. Talk about the theme for your album and brainstorm page ideas.

2. Make it age-appropriate. If your children are very young you will probably want to work on just one album at a time. You can let each child work on a separate page, or work together if they won't get too caught up in squabbling. Older children may want to start their own album, and teens especially will like having an album that is theirs to develop using their own style and taste.

3. Make the most of your time. A little preparation goes a long way toward making family scrapbook night a success. Before everyone gathers around the table, make sure your supplies are laid out and everybody has a place to sit. For your little ones, have realistic expectations about their attention span and give them an activity that fits their abilities. Older children and teens will usually stick with it longer, even if they just hang out at the table to talk and laugh.

4. Make it a tradition. Set aside a regular time for family scrapbook night and invite extended family to join in, too. Grandparents are especially fun to include because they bring their own memories to the creative process, plus they are another set of adult hands to help with the little ones. Older children and teens can invite a friend to join in and work on an album of experiences they have shared together. For a fun twist, set up a video camera on a tripod and just let it run. You'll be amazed at the candid, funny moments that get captured for future enjoyment.

Family scrapbook night is a unique way to bring your family together on a regular basis. Everyone can participate and contribute, whether it's a family album or one of their very own. Don't be discouraged if at first you get a lukewarm reception to the idea, before long your kids will look forward to spending time together and letting their creativity flow.