We all have those days where we are just in a funk for no good reason.   Those days can seem especially long if our whole family is in a funk, including the kids.  This post is all about quick and fun ways to turn your day around with little ones.   I am going to share tips that I have found to work with my own kids and the families that I have worked with, but I encourage you to be open to brainstorming your own list of what works for your family, too.  It can be nice to have a go-to list handy, so you don’t have to try to come up with something in the midst of one of those funky days.

As a family therapist, I am certainly not advocating for encouraging our children to stuff or hide their emotions.  That is not what this post is all about.   This is about those days that we are truly just in a funk.   If your family is struggling because of a particularly intense emotion or stressor, I’d suggest reading another post and I’ll include a list of helpful links at the end of this post.

1. Get outdoors.   A little fresh air can make a huge difference, even in the middle of winter.
2. Read.
3. Listen to music and/or have a dance party!
4. Look at pictures of your children when they were younger.  My kids love this one.
5. Blow bubbles.   Who doesn’t smile just a little when they see bubbles?

What would you add to personalize your list of ways to turn your family’s day around?  Feel free to share ideas in the comments below.

Here’s the list of links that I promised for those who are wanting to read more about how to help their children with intense emotions and stressors:

Thinking Outside of the Box:  Creative Ways to Help Children Express Their Emotions (Part One and Part Two)

Effective Coping Strategies for Children & Teens.

Stressors & Children: The Full Series (7+ blog posts addressing stressors children may experience)