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The priceless benefits that stem from simple yet meaningful family nights have the capacity to change society. The world around us becomes increasingly complex, fast-paced and isolating, but human beings continue to crave the same innate emotional connections and familiar bonds that may only be gained by spending treasured, undivided time in the presence of loved ones. By setting aside at least one night each week to enjoy quality time together as a family, stronger bonds, increased communication and a deeper understanding amongst family members is likely to be the result. Here are five green family night activities that will help you celebrate the earth and each other!

1. GET COOKING TOGETHER: Try Vegetarian Potluck Dinner Night!

Kids love to cook and it is a great way to engage their senses and sense of accomplishment. Spend the afternoon shopping at your local farmer’s market, and give each member of your family the opportunity to choose their favorite fresh fruits and vegetables, along with one piece of produce they have never tried, all with the intention of preparing a dish with their selections for a potluck dinner that evening. This will empower kids to make healthy, nutritious choices while learning simple meal prep alongside their parents. Potluck dinners will also serve the purpose of expanding your children’s palates, enabling them to taste new foods and ingredients in a lighthearted manner.

2. GET OUTDOORS TOGETHER: Try a Family Walk or Bicycle Ride at Sunset

Work up an appetite before dinner, or if you have an early supper, burn off the calories from your meal on a walk or bicycle ride around your neighborhood or at a nearby park. Watching the sunset together as a family will be a magical and relaxing experience; and doing so will teach your kids to enjoy getting outdoors to exercise while also taking time out to observe the wonders of nature.

3. PLAY TOGETHER: Try Think-Outside-the-Box Game Night

There’s no need to have a stack of board games on hand to indulge in a good, old fashioned family game night. Classic ‘think outside the box’ favorites including charades, hide and seek, Frisbee, horseshoes, basketball, ping-pong and relay races will promote family laughter and bonding. Another fun idea is to orchestrate a scavenger hunt around your house, backyard, or neighborhood, dividing the family into two teams, each with an adult leader, and then going forth to see who can find the tricky hidden treasures the fastest!

4. GET BAKING TOGETHER: Try A Vegan Cupcake Decorating Competition!

Perhaps you’ve heard the news that cupcake bakeries are popping up everywhere! But there’s no need to leave your house and dole out your hard-earned cash to indulge your sweet tooth in one of these feel-good treats. Whip up an entire batch of vegan cupcakes and let everyone in your family express their creativity by decorating a few in any fashion they’d like! Either denote a decor theme, or let the sky be the limit, and supply all the fixings for success so it will be a piece of cake for kids and adults alike to indulge their inner pastry chef!

5. MARVEL AT NATURE’S WONDERS: Learn Astronomy & Go Stargazing Together

What better way to spend time as a family than to learn a new hobby together? There’s nothing more awe-inspiring than the starry nighttime sky; and navigating your way through astronomy and stargazing with your loved ones promises to be a peaceful and enlightening experience. Learning the  names of different stars and locating planets and constellations will give kids an appreciation for the entire universe — not to mention a humbling perspective of our small and cherished, finite niche on planet earth.

Sponsored by: Disney Channel, Roll, Scoot, Skate & Pedal your way to a Family Night Special Event! Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally premieres Tuesday September 7 @ 7p/6c!