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52 Uncommon Family Adventures: Simple and Creative Ideas for Making Lifelong Memories
Connect with your family without breaking the bank. When you dreamed of having a family you pictured outings, adventures, laughing around the kitchen table. But then the kids actually came and most of the time you’re too busy trying to keep up to figure out how to create a magical, screen-free environment where everyone feels loved, is having fun, and can connect. That’s why 52 Uncommon Family Adventures was written, it helps you do just that, without all the hassle and stress. Whether it’s a family pillow fight, a lip-sync competition, or Toilet Paper Olympics, give your family the gift of lifelong memories while having fun, connecting spiritually, and speaking each other’s love languages. Enjoy all the benefits of the quality time you dreamed of without all the pressure of advanced planning. Put down the phones, turn off the TV, and start making some memories together today.
224 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2019
179 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Randy Southern
54 books4 followersRANDY SOUTHERN has written dozens of books, articles, study guides and curricula for the Christian market. His works include The World¿s Easiest Guide to Family Relationships, Raising Highly Capable Kids and Dating Clues for the Clueless.A graduate of Taylor University, Randy lives with his family in Fishers, Indiana.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 30, 2019
Well, I admit that I'm biased, because my husband wrote this charming, clever book! But I gotta say, it's really great. Randy is creative and funny, and his personality shows in the ideas here. It makes me sad that he wrote this when the kids were just about grown, because I want to try out some of these (like Backwards Day, and of course the Library Scavenger Hunt). Maybe someday we'll bust out this book with grandchildren. I will say that he got at least a couple of the ideas from things we did when the kids were younger, like fostering kittens! Love this man and his ideas.
July 28, 2019
I absolutely loved 52 Uncommon Family Adventures by Randy Southern. As a single parent, I am always looking for things to do for free or low cost with my daughter throughout the year to keep that connection with her. My favorite part is that after every adventure time there is a family devotion that ties in with the activity that was given for that week. It also has “Languages of the Day” and if you know your child’s love languages, you can benefit you from that adventure a little bit more. (If you do not know your child’s love language, you can go to https://www.5lovelanguages.com/) Randy Southern did an excellent job intertwining the book 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman with his book. I honestly cannot wait to try all of these activities with my daughter this next year and give her some great childhood memories!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 11, 2019
A great book on how to get family time together and make memories! There are some very unique ideas in this little gem!
September 18, 2019
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Authors Randy Southern and Gary Chapman has written a book that is awesome for all families to have. As I read the activites in this book I was wishing I’d had this book when my son was growing up. If you are on a tight budget of if you just want ideas on how to spend good quality time with your child, this is an amazing book to have. From Making Thank You Cards, to Fostering a Pet, to Finding Cities to Explore, and adding to this, 49 more great and exciting things to do, you will be instilling in you children fun and entertaining things that they can carry on to their own children.
And that’s not all! All of the activities have all or most of the following: Get ready time, Adventure Time, Devotions and Language of the Day. This little book is fully planned out. Not only just spending time on activities, this book gives you the opportunity to talk to your children, to discuss things that are so important to them. As you can tell, I love this book, and I hope you will too. So as you think about activities for your family, I highly encourage you to check out this book. With 52 Adventures, you have an entire year of family fun.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Authors Randy Southern and Gary Chapman has written a book that is awesome for all families to have. As I read the activites in this book I was wishing I’d had this book when my son was growing up. If you are on a tight budget of if you just want ideas on how to spend good quality time with your child, this is an amazing book to have. From Making Thank You Cards, to Fostering a Pet, to Finding Cities to Explore, and adding to this, 49 more great and exciting things to do, you will be instilling in you children fun and entertaining things that they can carry on to their own children.
And that’s not all! All of the activities have all or most of the following: Get ready time, Adventure Time, Devotions and Language of the Day. This little book is fully planned out. Not only just spending time on activities, this book gives you the opportunity to talk to your children, to discuss things that are so important to them. As you can tell, I love this book, and I hope you will too. So as you think about activities for your family, I highly encourage you to check out this book. With 52 Adventures, you have an entire year of family fun.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
June 12, 2019
Randy Southern offers up a full year's worth of family connections and fun times in his latest book, 52 Uncommon Family Adventures. His desire is for families to break out of their routines, have fun and build positive memories together.
Adventures vary in how much they cost, how much time they take, how many supplies are needed, which love languages they cater to, and so on. So, a special key helps parent pick and choose from the smorgasboard of 52 adventures, tailoring making adventures just for their family. The key includes: time commitment, cost, indoors/outdoors, and love languages.
52 Uncommon Family Adventures includes all kinds of things--bowling with a twist, interviews, nerf games, photobombing, toilet paper olypmics, and oh, so much more! You're guaranteed to find something that fits! And Southern makes it easy for parents to implement these family adventures since he's already done the hard work for you--collecting the ideas and making the plan for intentional times together. How can you go wrong with adventures that spark family fun, connections, and make memories of a lifetime! You can't, so get your copy today!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. However, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Adventures vary in how much they cost, how much time they take, how many supplies are needed, which love languages they cater to, and so on. So, a special key helps parent pick and choose from the smorgasboard of 52 adventures, tailoring making adventures just for their family. The key includes: time commitment, cost, indoors/outdoors, and love languages.
52 Uncommon Family Adventures includes all kinds of things--bowling with a twist, interviews, nerf games, photobombing, toilet paper olypmics, and oh, so much more! You're guaranteed to find something that fits! And Southern makes it easy for parents to implement these family adventures since he's already done the hard work for you--collecting the ideas and making the plan for intentional times together. How can you go wrong with adventures that spark family fun, connections, and make memories of a lifetime! You can't, so get your copy today!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. However, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
October 12, 2019
52 Uncommon Family Adventures is such a breath of fresh air! What a fun, guilt-free, inspiring book! Randy Southern includes 52 unique, cute and fun adventures. However, not only do you get the ideas for the adventures, you also get a wonderful index where you can search for an adventure by time commitment, love language (which is also defined in the book if you are not familiar with them), locale and cost. Each adventure also includes a devotional, which makes the book even more precious to me. This is the kind of book that I will NEVER be hiding up on a shelf, out of sight. This will be in constant use, giving us ideas of what we can do in the time we have, with the money we have, where we are. The kids and I loved reading through the 52 adventures. There are silly ideas: nerf war, bowling with a twist; loving ideas: thank-you cards, volunteer day; and even ideas that involve playing video games all day! My son's favorite was the speed-gaming sports style while my daughter's was family makeovers. Personally I can't wait to celebrate a color -- I am thinking Purple! I highly recommend this to all families of any size and even to grandparents or aunts & uncles who want to have some ideas on hand for time spent with the kids.
August 24, 2019
What a cool book! The word "adventure" always captures my attention and this book is packed with great ideas of adventures for families of all sizes and ages to do together. It's also tied to the 5 Love Languages philosophy with special instructions on how to make each adventure meaningful for a specific love language. Each adventure is marked with a symbol detailing the time commitment (one hour, half day, full day), cost (free, low, moderate), locale (inside, outside), and love language. The adventure instructions themselves are well organized with information on getting ready, how to do the adventure, a "that reminds me' section that provides possible discussion/conversation starters for the fam while you're doing the adventure, and finally a devotion section with bible verses and questions to ask to get everyone thinking. The last part of each adventure is how to make the adventure particularly meaningful for a specific love language.
The book is geared for families, but I could see youth groups using this as well. Definitely one to buy and use as a reference!
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!
The book is geared for families, but I could see youth groups using this as well. Definitely one to buy and use as a reference!
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!
June 18, 2019
Randy Southern's book, 52 Uncommon Family Adventures, lays out a variety of family fun nights varying in cost and time. A date for each week of the year, Southern includes:
materials needed
any prep work needed (if applicable)
steps for making it happen
talking points
devotional
and specific love languages that it addresses
While some of these adventures may seem commonplace, others are unique and the author seems to take into consideration budget and ages of children. With so many different ideas, the book would be a great place to start when planning a family night. Who wouldn't love a speed board games, bowling with a twist, or a nerf gun war? I especially loved that the author included talking points for conversations and a family devotional tied into each adventure. Both would be a good way to wrap up the evening and still strengthen the family relationships. A few resource for any family looking for a way to draw closer together.
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
materials needed
any prep work needed (if applicable)
steps for making it happen
talking points
devotional
and specific love languages that it addresses
While some of these adventures may seem commonplace, others are unique and the author seems to take into consideration budget and ages of children. With so many different ideas, the book would be a great place to start when planning a family night. Who wouldn't love a speed board games, bowling with a twist, or a nerf gun war? I especially loved that the author included talking points for conversations and a family devotional tied into each adventure. Both would be a good way to wrap up the evening and still strengthen the family relationships. A few resource for any family looking for a way to draw closer together.
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
September 14, 2023
If you want a book of ideas for adventures you can do with your family, this is such a great choice! As a low income family, I appreciated that most of these ideas are accessible to us! Some of the adventures are fun and silly while others are more on the serious side, such as volunteering together as a family in the community. Each adventure also has a devotional attached with it and ideas for questions to ask your children. While I disagreed theologically with some of the author's content in some of his devotionals, I found most of them to be well done and a great starting point to discuss parts of Scripture with your children. I also found it creative how the author implemented a devotional with each adventure that fit so well with the activities.
This book is a great little resource full of fun ideas to get your family doing things together and bonding! Definitely reccomend for any family wanting some simple and affordable ways to connect!
This book is a great little resource full of fun ideas to get your family doing things together and bonding! Definitely reccomend for any family wanting some simple and affordable ways to connect!
July 29, 2019
Randy Southern has put together a great resource of ways to intentionally bring your family together and have meaningful fun. I loved how adaptive the book was and easy to implement. He had discussion ideas to go with each activity and a small Bible lesson to accompany it. I really appreciated that he broke each activity down by price (most of them are free), and if the activity was inside or outside based. It was also very insightful of him to break it down what activities would be particularly impactful on the different love languages.
Randy has written a great go to for parents and I would recommend getting a hard copy. That would be the easiest to reference and make notes in as you use them. I received an e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Randy has written a great go to for parents and I would recommend getting a hard copy. That would be the easiest to reference and make notes in as you use them. I received an e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2019
The word 'uncommon' is a bit misleading, as these are for the most part everyday activities, but they're uncommon in the sense that digital-stuffs are most commonly done nowadays...and these are not digital. There is a key included with the book that breaks down the adventures and denotes costs, time needed, and whether they are indoor or outdoor. Each adventure also tells which love language it appeals to, which is nice if you are familiar with the love languages and know about your child's preferred one. (If you don't, you can find that in a different Gary Chapman book...or google it.) There are conversation starters as well, which is something good for our family since the kids love to debate / discuss everything!
August 19, 2019
52 Uncommon Family Adventures
By Randy Southern
Although the title uses the word uncommon, I don’t think the activities provided are uncommon, in fact, the activities are quite common. The activities are creatively put together however with lessons for you and your family discuss and learn from. The goal is to address each love language with activities to help your family grow closer and spiritually. I think the ideas are entertaining and insightful for an afternoon of fun. All of the ideas are either free or inexpensive making them easy to implement.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
By Randy Southern
Although the title uses the word uncommon, I don’t think the activities provided are uncommon, in fact, the activities are quite common. The activities are creatively put together however with lessons for you and your family discuss and learn from. The goal is to address each love language with activities to help your family grow closer and spiritually. I think the ideas are entertaining and insightful for an afternoon of fun. All of the ideas are either free or inexpensive making them easy to implement.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 22, 2019
I love family devotional times and have been looking for ways to spice things up with the kids. Many of the suggestions in this book are perfect for my son who is 10. I love that the 5 love languages are incorporated throughout and that many of the activities allow for some physical activity. Some were a bit too adventurous and would require serious planning, such as visiting the airport, but that's what makes this book so great. I have not completed all the adventures with the kids but we are looking forward to it
August 11, 2019
I love this idea!!! I love how it has an activity like Hide and Seek and then has a talking point like ... as a parent telling your kids about a time that you "lost" them and how it feels to be lost and how we can turn to God in those times. Then a Bible story and prayer time. Also having the Love Language listed with suggestions.
This will be on my gift giving list for Christmas this year! Awesome resource!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.
This will be on my gift giving list for Christmas this year! Awesome resource!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.
August 14, 2019
This is such a fun devotional/activity book! It's so unique and great for families. I love how it ties in an activity, a lesson, and love languages in each weekly devotional. Genius! My eight-year-old would love a lot of these activities. Some of my favorite activities included the bike wash, penny day, and minute to win it style games. Thanks so much to the publisher and netgalley for the chance to read and review this book. I will definitely be recommending this one!
February 10, 2020
I thought this book was a great little tool to help families create adventures and memories together. A lot of the ideas were not that “uncommon” as the title suggests. However, there are many that would work no matter what the family dynamics are. Well thought out, well written and overall a good book.
July 26, 2019
52 Uncommon Family Adventures by Randy Southern is a fun and creative book for the entire family! New ideas (and old) to make forever memories! I recommend this book totally!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2019
What a great concept for a book! This book consisted of 52 different activities for families - of different levels of cost and commitment. Some of my favorite features were the suggestions for discussion and devotions and the connection with the love languages for each child. A great resource to add to your family library!
April 16, 2020
Unique Family Devotion
Great incorporation of family devotion time in the Scriptures together with play. Very accommodating to young kids since they learn best via play, vision, and touch.
Highly recommended.
Great incorporation of family devotion time in the Scriptures together with play. Very accommodating to young kids since they learn best via play, vision, and touch.
Highly recommended.
November 8, 2019
I don't have any kids but I have been trying to so just reading up. They're some great ideas that you wouldn't normally think.t he author shows his personality in his writing it's wonderful
April 11, 2020
So many great ideas in this book - I can’t wait to implement!
August 12, 2019
I loved this book and immediately ordered it for my family. This was a fantastic book to help plan family time together that isn't just dinner and a movie night. I thoroughly enjoyed the verses and questions and thoughts included with each activity. Very fun!
May 10, 2019
This is really a sweet book. It seems to cover all the bases so that these adventures are fun and fruitful for every family member. Each member's needs get met. I love that. Sometimes in the mix of life, we need some help to light the creative spark for our family. This book is so great for that.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews