For many Ontarians, Family Day is more than just a day off from work. While hanging out with family is the easy part, coming up with fun things to do isn’t always as simple. But we’ve got you covered.
Here are four suggestions that are fun for the entire family.
1. Cook a meal with the whole family
Meal preparation is a great indoor activity and way to spend time with loved ones, especially if it’s cold outside. But there are things to consider and plan before firing up the oven to make sure your family and home are safe.
First, check the fire alarms on each floor of your home to ensure that they’re operational, and make sure that you have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a fire.
Second, make sure kitchen tasks are age appropriate: adults should manage chopping vegetables and cooking with the stovetop, and constant supervision of young family members is highly encouraged.
Put in some sugar and milk, and you’re good to go.
2. Stay warm while outdoor entertaining
With the winter season winding down, there’s a chance that the weather may be more favourable this Family Day weekend — which means your family may be more inclined to get out of the house to enjoy each other’s company outdoors.
There’s still a nip in the air and that increases as the sun sets. It’s a nice idea when outdoor entertaining to have a heat source to keep warm such as an electric, gas or fire pit.
Depending on where you live, outdoor fires may not be a legal option. Open-air burning is strictly prohibited in Toronto, and you may run the risk of having a potential insurance claim denied if you are found to be in violation of a bylaw. So, before you start building that firepit in the backyard, check your municipal bylaws to ensure you aren’t breaking the rules.
Safety is another thing to consider when preparing to host family and friends outdoors in the winter. A safer alternative to open air fire is a propane heater which does not require an open flame. These can keep you warm and safe without breaking any rules.
However, these easy to use warmers also come with a range of safety hazards. Just like an open flame, a portable heater can potentially burn or set things around it on fire, which means the heater’s placement is very important. Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from anything that can easily be burned or catch on fire, such as trees, branches or the eavestrough of your house. Try to find a well-ventilated outdoor space before turning the portable heaters on.