Thank you so much for these activities. They have proven to me that I CAN be that mom that does cool and creative things with her kids! And those cool and creative things can actually be quite simple! What a revelation. Thank you!! - 7 Day Challenge, Katie M. NPR listener Kami Koontz shares her source of fun whenever she can. She bought a ukulele in early 2014 on a whim and taught herself to play it.

Mimic each other. If you have a baby, or young toddler, copy whatever they do. Try doing it with a pet too!

Chessington World of Adventures

But it's well worth it. People who take a vacation return to their work less stressed and possibly more creative, and the benefits could extend to smaller adventures. Just go roll down the hills. They’ll be giggling for sure. Maybe there’s new ways to roll down… somersaults?

but in the United States, it's completely normal and part of everyday conversation (eg: what are you going to do this weekend → There's always something new for us to discover, as well as old favorites. I am so grateful to have activities handed to us... Fun and easy ones that can be put together in a moment's notice! You're awesome Jamie and I appreciate you sharing your activities and ideas!! - Melissa C.NPR reader Nancy Lomini-Perretta decided to try a beginning mahjongg class for seniors at her local college in 2019. Now she plays every Monday with a group of women she met in that class. They call themselves "The Fabulous Five" or "The Mahvelous Mahjongg Madams." Even if you're not happy, you can have fun, even if that's just having coffee with a friend," he says. "For me, it was certainly going to comedy clubs [after my brother died]. I wasn't happy, but I was really enjoying the jokes." Record yourself saying 'plain fun' in full sentences, then watch yourself and listen. You'll be able to mark your mistakes quite easily.

Go dumpster divingin a cardboard box. Spend the morning giggling as they search through the ‘garbage’.

Mission: Breakout

A game night — especially something as absorbing and mentally challenging as mahjong — can be a bright spot in the week. NPR audience member Nancy Lomini-Perretta has developed tight friendships with her mahjong group: "We meet every Monday for an afternoon of play and lots of laughs!"