Are you ready for a Yes Day Challenge? Here are some super fun Yes Day ideas (plus a few ground rules you might want to lay down first)!
Are you ready to throw out the rules and let your kids take over?
It sounds absolutely crazy, right?
Welcome to Yes Day!
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What is a Yes Day?
This idea came from a book called Yes Day by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
In this picture book, a little boy has a Yes Day where anything he asks his parents they say “Yes” to his request.
Can I have pizza for breakfast? Yes!
Can I stay up late? Yes!
There is also a movie on Netflix that is based on this book.
Should your kids get a yes day?
So, should your kids have a Yes Day?
I think a lot of moms might feel like they say no a lot (I know I feel like this), and parents who choose to have Yes Days can let go of the “no” for a day and enjoy the energy and joy in their kids.
Parents who have yes days say that these days help them feel more connected with their children.
An important part is that your kids should see you enjoy the day as well. If you begrudgingly give them a yes day and have a poor attitude throughout they will not enjoy their time!
Yes Days also:
- allow you to let loose and have fun with your kids so they can see your fun, silly side as well (you have one, right?)
- give kids the opportunity to learn to make decisions
- provides them a little bit of authority (and lets them practice being authoritative)
- give you a chance to let go and enjoy a carefree day with your kids and live for the present like they do
- fill your family with lots of lovely memories
Rules for Yes Day
Do you need rules on a Yes Day?
Yes!
Kids (especially younger ones) don’t have a good sense of consequences (cause and effect) and may need some help and prompting to come up with ideas.
Here are some ideas for ground rules you can set as a family:
- Kids have to earn a Yes Day.
- You need to choose a day when everyone is free (and Yes Day activities only last for this one day).
- You have to set a budget (and help kids understand what this means).
- Everyone should agree on how far you will travel.
- All activities must be legal and safe.
- The focus should be on experiences (not just shopping for any toy or item they want).
- Everyone participates and follows the same rules.
- The family should choose a number of things you will do (if you have more than 1 child, make sure each one gets to choose at least one activity).
- Children should plan the day together (to get along and be happy with the choices).
- Everyone needs to help clean up (if necessary).
You can choose your own rules that work for your family.
It would be great to involve your kids in the rules and help them understand why it’s necessary to have them.
If you are feeling nervous about this whole Yes Day thing, you could always try a “Yes Morning” or “Yes Afternoon” first and see how it goes.
Another idea is that your family could all write down all the Yes Day ideas and put them in a hat. Then, on the Yes Day decide how many you will pull out of the hat.
Yes Day Ideas for Kids
If you don’t know where to get started or your kids are having trouble coming up with ideas (I doubt it, but you never know!), here are some exciting Yes Day ideas:
- Have dessert for breakfast
- Eat breakfast in bed or have breakfast for dinner
- Have a pajama day and watch movies
- Drive around and visit all the playgrounds in the area
- Have a picnic in home (or out somewhere special)
- Visit an arcade or theme park
- Go surfing, kayaking, canoeing
- Camp outside, in the backyard, or even inside!
- Cook a fun meal together – my kids love cooking kits from eat2explore!
- Learn something new (take a class together)
- Stay overnight somewhere special
- Build a fort (indoors or outdoors)
- Play video games
- Dress up (fancy or crazy/silly!)
- Do a special family activity
- Go shopping
- Make crafts
- Spend time outdoors
- Visit a kids gym
- Have a day of no chores
- Play a bunch of favorite board games. Some of our favorite games:
- Have a movie marathon. Here are some of our favorites:
- Stay up late
- Wear whatever you want all day
- Eat meals under the table, in the attic, in the treehouse, etc.
Even More Crazy Yes Day Ideas
- Do a bunch of crazy, messy science experiments
- Have a pillow fight
- Eat with your fingers
- Give mom and dad a makeover and pick their outfits for the day
- Have water fights
- Host a dance party
- Get messy – play with messy toys, dig in the dirt, go to the beach and get sandy
- Wear costumes all day
How to Have a Yes Day on a Tight Budget
Are you struggling on a very tight budget?
Don’t worry!
So many of the Yes Day ideas above are free or very cheap!
You can get together with your kids and brainstorm low-cost or free ideas that would be enjoyable for your family.
If you plan in advance for your family’s Yes Day, you can save up money for it. Use a worksheet like this to keep track of your savings each week to prepare for the fun day.
Related:
Quality Time with Your Kids
Tips to Live Successfully on a Tight Budget
How to Get Ahead Financially When You are Behind
What to Expect on a Yes Day?
Kids generally don’t have limits. They want to do anything in excess and keep on doing it.
They might want to only eat ice cream all day or stay up very late.
Plan ahead a little bit and set some ground rules and then just let go and enjoy yourself (and cherish the joy you will see in your kids!)
Start a “Yes Day” Family Tradition!
Don’t wait! Start a Yes Day yearly tradition with your family today!
Have you had a Yes Day yet? What are some things your kids have done or would like to do for Yes Day? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
