How to Play Ghost in the Graveyard & Quick Tips for a Stronger, Happier Family [Friday’s Fast Five: 10th Edition]

Building a stronger, happier family is at the top of most parents’ list. However, we are busy! These weekly Fast Five ideas and tips are a quick way to brainstorm, check-in, and create the family relationships you really want. Today’s ideas include how to play Ghost in the Graveyard (a fun night game), a giveaway, a quick tip about social media, and more. Happy Friday!

* These ideas are NOT meant to be a checklist or guilt trip of things we “should do.” Rather, they are intended to inspire you to find what works for YOUR family to learn, laugh, and love together. Remember to stick to the Simple Side of Parenting.

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What is Friday’s Fast Five?

Each Friday, we share five quick and simple ideas for families under the following categories:

1. Something Fun

This is an activity, game, entertainment recommendation, or simple outing for family fun.

2. A Little Lesson

Here you will find a simple lesson to help teach kids important ideas. Examples include life skills or personal qualities like kindness and patience.

3. A Service Idea

Volunteering is good for our mental and physical health. Serving together strengthens relationships with those we serve and those we serve with. Service can be fun and eye-opening. Service is an important way to learn, laugh, and love together.

4. Something Random

This is a random thought, idea, quote, or meme, typically to help you smile. 🙂

5. A Quick Tip

Here you will find a quick parenting or family tip for peaceful parenting or building a stronger, happier family. These come from research, personal experience, or those common sense reminders we all need to hear once in a while.

Subscribers also receive exclusive tips and downloads to simplify parenting life.

With that, here is the tenth edition of Friday’s Fast Five. (You can find other editions HERE.)

1. Something Fun: How to Play Ghost in the Graveyard

Night games are a fun part of growing up, and Ghost in the Graveyard is one of the all-time best night games!

How to Play Ghost in the Graveyard

Ghost in the Graveyard is usually played outside at night.

1. Players determine a base that is big enough for everyone to touch at the same time.
2. One person is chosen as the first ghost.
3. Everyone closes their eyes and counts at base, except the ghost who goes and hides.
4. The players spread out, looking for the ghost.
5. If a player sees the ghost, he or she yells, “Ghost in graveyard!” Everyone races back to base.
6. Meanwhile, the ghost is trying to sneak up on players or jump out at them and tag one before they all reach base.
7. The player tagged by the ghost is the next ghost. (You can also play that if the ghost doesn’t catch anyone the last player back to base is the next ghost.)

Variations of Ghost in the Graveyard for Different Ages or Groups

A large part of the fun of Ghost in the Graveyard is being scared by the ghost. However, for some kids or younger children, you can make it less scary and still fun. Play at dusk when there’s still light. Play a flashlight version of the game where everyone has a light and tags others by shining a light on them, rather than jumping out and scaring them. Everyone can also stay with a partner when you play.

Ghost in the Graveyard as a Fun Family Halloween Activity

Halloween might look different for a lot of families this year. Many will not be able to Trick-or-Treat or do their usual traditions. If you’re looking for exciting new ways to spend Halloween, Ghost in the Graveyard is a really fun idea.

Related: 25 Simple and Fun Halloween Activities for Families

2. A Little Lesson: A Story about Courage

Stories are a really powerful way to teach. How Big Is Your Brave? is a children’s book that teaches a meaningful lesson about courage.

Snuggle up, enjoy the story, and then have a little conversation about courage. You can find a full review of the book and additional activities about courage in this post: How Big is Your Brave? and 10 Activities to Teach Kids about Courage.

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Wondering how to fit Little Lessons into your busy family schedule?

The two main ways to fit important lessons into your busy family schedule are to find spontaneous teaching moments throughout the day and to schedule family learning time each week. These two posts go into detail about these two ways and tips for making it happen with your family.

How Busy Parents Can Teach Important Life Lessons

6 Tips for Family Time that Teaches Life’s Most Important Lessons

3. A Service Idea: Neighborly Yard Service

Many families in our old neighborhood hired individuals for yard maintenance. The first time I met several of these maintenance workers, they were asking if we wanted to hire them. We said no thank you. The second time we met, they were helping me blow all the leaves from my yard anyway.

These men would often mow our lawn when we weren’t home or blow the grass clippings for us as they walked by. They never expected payment and were always kind and friendly. They were truly neighborly.

I will always remember how kind those maintenance workers were to me and our family. We became friends through their service.

We can build similar relationships and serve in our own neighborhoods by helping a neighbor or elderly individual with raking or yard and garden clean-up.

Help kids see and meet needs close to home through simple, local service like this.

Service is a great way to build a stronger, happier family. If you want more service ideas, request Raising Compassionate Children in a Conceited World, which includes 101 Service Ideas for Families.

4. Something Random: Book Giveaway!

At the heart of a happy family is a peaceful parent.

When I published A Parent’s Guide to Peace amidst the Mayhem. I hope it brings some peace to your chaos!

5. A Quick Tip: Social Media

“If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product.” Our attention is what is being sold, and tech companies are using psychology and technology to keep us attached to our devices. This comes from the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. Experts (many previous employees or inventers of big tech companies) are interviewed in the film, sharing their perspective on how social media and search engines work to claim our attention and sow division in the process.

The film is worth watching.

It’s interesting and led me to check-in again with how I’m using social media. So, here’s the quick tip for today…

We can take an introspective minute to consider how we’re using social media and how it makes us feel. Are we learning? Hearing both sides of a discussion? Actually connecting with people? Spending more time than we want? Left feeling inadequate or worse than before the scroll?

Let’s be intentional about how we use social media and technology.

Related: One Powerful Social Media Tip that Will Help Parents Live Their Best Lives

And that is Friday’s Fast Five!

Yes, Please!

You can also see Friday’s Fast Five on Instagram or other editions HERE.

Building a Stronger, Happier Family

It takes time and intention to build a stronger, happier family. I hope Friday’s Fast Five helps you find the ways that work for YOUR family to learn, laugh, and love together.

We will never regret the time we devote to our families and relationships with our kids.

Have a great weekend with your family, know that you’re loved, and keep on lovin’!

Do you have a great idea for a future Friday’s Fast Five? Have a question or parenting struggle you want help with? Share in the comments, shoot me an Email, or schedule a call.

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