Many of us developed new hobbies during the 2020 pandemic; notably, tie-dying, TikTok challenges, bread-baking, and plant care were popular. Perhaps some of us even took up the same activities many Americans clung to during the Great Depression, including bird watching, stamp collecting, music making, and woodworking. Hobbies, in general, helped us deal with our social isolation, and also kept our brains engaged. At any time, hobbies are also a great way for families to connect, and we asked around on Facebook for ways local families keep active and creative together:
INDOOR FAVORITES
Science Experiments
People learn in four main ways: visually, aurally (by listening), through reading or writing, and kinesthetically (through movement). Hands-on activities are particularly effective for younger children as the movement helps refine gross and fine motor skills, which engage the brain in exciting ways. One Facebook user, Brandi E., mentioned her family has started doing science experience together, especially "super easy ones that take little to no effort that have a big impact." She mentions she also follows Hands-On As We Grow, a website that offers a multitude of hands-on activity ideas by age, learning category, creativity type, and motor skill.
Baking and Cooking
Good food is good for the soul, so it's no wonder that in the tumult that was 2020 (and still is 2021, to some degree), many families took to learning new recipes and finding old family favorites. Plainfield mom, Julie D. (Julie Dooley Pies), and her three oldest children (2, 4, and 5) loved a few recipes in particular:
- Homemade Soft Pretzels: Julie's kids loved pouring the ingredients, mixing, kneading and shaping the pretzels.
- Stuffed Pretzel Bites: Let the kids smash the dough and wrap the hotdogs by themselves!
- Banana Banana Bread: Loads of banana flavor!
Exercise
I love getting good tips from Facebook fans! I had the opportunity to interview Esther Stien, owner of Notch 8 Athletics in Avon. A long-time PTA, Esther and her husband, JD, joined a garage-based cross-fit style workout group several years ago. They knew they liked the style, and eventually it became a sole proprietorship. Esther and J.D. agreed to take it on and expand it into what is now Notch 8 Athletics. It is truly a family business: JD runs and is the head coach of the Notch 8 Barbell Club, one daughter is an Olympic weight-lifter and helps her dad with the Barbell Club, and another daughter works at the in-house lululemon shop!
Esther highlighted the many family-friendly options at Notch 8, including free community days every Saturday starting at 9:30am. Some classes require some "onboarding," but Saturdays are the best way to learn the "vibe" of their programs. Kids can attend (ages 10 and up), get their own coaches, and work out at the same time but separate from their parents.
Working together as a family has meant literally sweating together, sharing successes, and walking through the valleys of life's challenges together. Esther invites all MKH readers to check out Notch 8's programs... just mention where you heard about it! Find Notch 8 Athletics at 8131 Kingston St., Suite 400, Avon.
OUTDOOR FAVORITES
Running
A number of local moms love to run with their kids. One Plainfield mom, April W., said her daughter is training for her first half marathon along with her and her husband (see pic above). April's husband has been a runner for most of his life, and April for about 13 years. Their daughter, Tinley, has been attending their races since she was an infant, and started running when she was just 5. Tinley joined the track team at the Y and her love of the sport took off! She is currently training for the virtual One America 500 Festival Mini Marathon, and just completed the Chase the Checkers Half Marathon! Running has helped them all develop a supportive community around them, particularly the SRTT/MRTT in Plainfield and the Plainfield Rec Center. Kids as young as 4 can join the YMCA track team, and April strongly recommends novices and veteran runners alike join the Hendricks County Summer Fun Run series! As she says, "Running is very mental, but you will never regret a run!"
For 13 years, Parks Foundation of Hendricks County has coordinated the Summer Fun Run series, highlighting local parks and trail systems. This year, like last year, the program will be held virtually (although runs can still take place at designated parks) between late May and mid-August. Learn more about locations and dates here.
Letterboxing & Geocaching
I admit, letterboxing was something I had to look up after Michelle G. mentioned it in a Facebook post. According to this site she recommended, "Letterboxing combines artistic ability with “treasure-hunting” in parks and forests that the whole family can enjoy. Participants seek out hidden letterboxes by following clues to their prize: a rubber stamp—often hand-carved—to stamp into one’s one personal logbook." She and her family used to do it together under a family nickname, and even used a custom signature stamp to represent their team in logbooks.
Here is a link to letterbox locations and clues in Indiana. If you want to dive right in with your children, attend this Hands-Off Letterboxing event at McCloud Nature Park (8518 Hughes Rd., North Salem), June 5, 1-3pm!
Geocaching is similar, but usually requires a GPS device instead of clues. Caches are often filled with trinkets; feel free to add to them! Here is a list of geocaches in Indiana State Parks. McCloud Nature Park also offers a free Adventure Backpack about geocaching to help your family hone the skill! Backpacks are given out on a first-come-first-served basis at the main office.
Visiting State Parks
Our family has had an Indiana State Parks pass for two years now. We primarily visit parks for hiking, but hope to tent camp in them more this year. Annual park passes can be purchased at any of 32 State Park gatehouses and online, and cost just $50 for residents (discounts available for seniors). With a myriad of activity options available, and entrance fees starting at $7/vehicle, an active family can easily make up the expense throughout a year. Here is an interactive map of Indiana DNR recreation properties. Want to attend an event at a State Park? Here is the DNR calendar.
