Why Family Fun Matters
Having FUN is not just joyful, it’s important for the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. When families come together to connect through fun activities, they can take a break from the stress of their day. Seemingly simple actions like slowing down, playing games, taking deep breaths, and laughing together nurture the wellbeing of parents and children, and help keep families safe and strong.
This September, FamilyWise is bringing together families from across Minnesota for the Family Fun Fest Scavenger Hunt. The event is a fun(d)raiser that teams of families and friends of all ages can participate in via the free Goosechase phone app.
Katie Bierch, Parent Support Services Manager
“Play is a child’s work,” says FamilyWise Parent Support Services Manager, Katie Bierch. “Through play we’re teaching core life skills, problem-solving skills, cooperation, building respect between parent and child. Play is so important to building good relationships with your kids.” Fun activities can also ground families in shared values, help parents and children get to know one another better, and strengthen the sense of safety and stability at home.
Play isn’t just for kids, either. As adults, it can be easy to get caught up in the stressors and challenges of everyday life. Making time to play, be silly, and laugh, can release the tension of your day, boost your mood, and improve your health. Spending quality (screen-free) time with loved ones shows – giving your full attention – can make others feel valued and strengthen your relationships.
Family fun doesn’t require much planning or resources. Katie shared, “I see families having fun by using community resources like church fairs, neighborhood BBQs, and trails and parks. And families are spending time having fun together at home dancing, cooking, participating in TikTok trends, and more. Most of these fun activities very low cost or free.”
Whether you’ve got a lot of fun family traditions to share or are looking for new ways to have fun with your family and friends, you don’t want to miss out on this year’s Family Fun Fest. The week-long scavenger hunt celebrates and showcases family fun across all families – families with young children, adult children, groups of friends, and even furry family members can join in on the fun!
How the game works:
Over the course of the week, teams complete enriching “missions,” earning badges and points for prizes like tickets to museums, park passes, and gift cards to family-friendly businesses. As teams complete missions, they share and can see fun photos, videos, and responses from other teams playing across the state, creating a digital community celebrating fun and wellness.
The event is open to all ages and you can play from anywhere in Minnesota. The cost to play is $25 per team, and you can learn more and register at www.familywiseservices.org/family-fun-fest.