One of the most unique activities that you can participate in is snowshoeing. This is a fun winter family activity that can be accomplished by parents and children of a variety of ages. Indeed, snowshoeing is something that younger children can do. It has been said that if you can walk, you can snowshoe. It is a great opportunity to introduce your kids to fun outdoor winter activities. Additionally, snowshoeing can be a great forerunner to skiing. If you want to introduce your kids to skiing down the road, snowshoeing is a good start. You can even use poles to make it easier to get through the snow.

Snowshoeing can also be incorporated into sledding. Bring your sleds and use the snowshoes to help you climb the hill more easily. Then enjoy riding the sled downhill. In fact, bringing a sled is a good idea, since the kids might get tired after an hour or so. (And an hour is about right for young kids and outdoor winter activities.)

Also, it is worth noting (during these times of economic turmoil) that snowshoeing is also a relatively inexpensive. You can get pairs of snowshoes for between $100 and $300. Renting snowshoes is also inexpensive. Perhaps you should try snowshoeing as a family, and if you enjoy it, consider buying the shoes for outings down the road. Snowshoeing is often less expensive than skiing -- especially for larger families. And, of course, skiing can be difficult for the very young.

Another nice thing about snowshoeing, especially if you own your own shoes, is that you can go out near your home after a fresh snowfall. When you get snowed in, strap on the snowshoes and watch how your neighborhood becomes a different and adventure-filled place to explore. Plus, you'll be nearby so that you can go in and enjoy some hot chocolate or make some cookies when your adventure ends.

One of the things that I remember while growing up is that my siblings and I wore candy cane striped pajamas on Christmas Eve. My mom made them every year, and we enjoyed wearing them to bed, and then wearing them as we opened our presents on Christmas morning. My dad even had a pair of striped pajama bottoms that he liked to wear in honor of the occasion. Every year, we looked forward to the candy cane pajamas. It was a fun tradition that we are carrying on with my son - special Christmas pajamas. He loves them. And, besides, he looks so cute in them.

Christmas Pajamas
Having traditions is one way to build family memories and forge strong bonds between members. Having things that you do together as a family is important. Special Christmas pajamas may seem simple, but it was a lot of fun, and we have fond memories of it. How often does everyone in the family match? And starting a tradition of Christmas pajamas can be a fun way to spend a little time together.

You can get your children involved. I don't sew, but there are plenty of Christmas themed pajamas and nightgowns out there. You can go on a family shopping trip and have your children choose the patterns and material. They don't even have to match -- just as long as everyone gets Christmas pajamas. Or you can choose plain colored pajamas (red or green) and head to the craft store for appliqués, buttons, baubles and other items. Have a family night and decorate your Christmas pajamas with various items.

Create a Christmas memory book. Take pictures every year of family members opening their presents while wearing that year's Christmas pajamas. It is a fun way to preserve memories, and it will allow you to see how your family has changed and grown in their tastes.

Don't have the dough to travel to England anymore since ... well, you know. Well, America is England's rebellious little kid so it should come as no surprise that anything they can do, we can do better. If not better, at least more commercially. What's that you say? You never knew America had her own Stonehenge? If you travel up to Salem, New Hampshire, you will visit a place that may be more popularly known as Mystery Hill, which is nearly guaranteed to thrill and amaze your children.

The name America's Stonehenge appears to have stuck despite the fact that the rock structures around the thirty acres of Mystery Hill look nothing like the instantly recognizable Stonehenge in England. The creation of America's Stonehenge remains something of a mystery, which is only deepened if the conventional wisdom, that it was built by a 19th century farmer, is true. Any person who constructed this Stonehenge would be almost as amazing as those who built England's version. Another legend says Mystery Hill was the work of an ancient North American civilization.

If you had to pick just one time of the year that will bring about assertions from your kids of the serious awesomeness of America's Stonehenge, it would be late June. June 21st, in fact, because it's the summer solstice. If you arrive at Mystery Hill that day and prop your kids up on the viewing platform, they will watch as the sun sets perfectly behind an extraordinarily sharp, pointed rock. The centerpiece monument at America's Stonehenge is a slab that has been determined to have been a sacrificial altar. Beneath this table lies a kind of tube that is connected to a cavernous oracle chamber. The amazing thing is that the tube was actually used for speaking through as a pre-electricity public address system.

Whether you call it Mystery Hill or America's Stonehenge, this incredible New Hampshire wonder is a place neither you nor the kids will forget.

One of the time honored family recreation activities in America has been Trick or Treating. This can be a fun activity for the whole family. In fact, even though I do not get candy from the neighbors (I leave that to my son), I still like to dress up in a witch costume. However, when you are Trick or Treating, it is important to keep some important safety tips in mind. You want your family activity to be safe as well as fun.

About.com offers some great Halloween Safety Tips for Trick or Treating

*Make sure your child is visible. You should have your child carry something like a flashlight or wear a glow bracelet or necklace. This makes them visible to others in the dark.

*Shoes should fit well. Sneakers may not be the coolest thing to wear with a cowboy costume, but they are the safer option. And really, the shoes are the least important part.

*Keep away from costumes that drag. If a costume is dragging on the ground, there is a chance that it will be stepped on and could cause your child to fall or contribute to other problems.

*Caution your children to walk and to avoid lawns. Keep your children's exuberance in check. Running, as well as cutting across lawns, can contribute to falling and tripping over items that may be hard to see.

*Avoid darkened houses when Trick or Treating. Not only are dark homes more likely to have hidden obstacles, they usually belong to people who do not wish to be bothered.

*Costumes should allow visibility and breathing. Make sure your child can breathe easily in the costume, as well as see properly. Also, make sure kids maintain a good temperature -- no overheating or costumes that are too thin in the cold.

*Flexible props. It is best to leave weapons at home while Trick or Treating, even if they are flexible. But if you must have that ninja sword, make sure it is flexible and does not resemble a real weapon.

Family recreation can be both fun and beneficial to your community. Indeed, family activities that teach your children to enjoy being good members of the community are important. One of the things that you can do as a family is to do a neighborhood cleanup. This will help your children see the value of contributing to the community, and it can give you some quality time together.

Cleaning up the Neighborhood
In many neighborhoods, trash can be seen. This trash creates an unsightly mess and is a blight on the beauty of the neighborhood. By cleaning up the neighborhood as a family, you can teach your children important lessons about community involvement, being good to the environment and family togetherness.

Some tips for cleaning up the neighborhood include:

• Wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the weather. Right now, in the fall, is a great time to clean things up. Do it before the snow falls. But it may mean that a light jacket and some thin gloves are needed.

• Bring two bags: One for regular trash and one for recyclable trash. Teach your children that recycling is important, and teach them which materials go in which bag. You can sort the recyclables later.

• Everybody work together: Make sure the parents do work as well. It is your chance to set a good example, and the kids have more fun if the parents are helping.

• Consider making it a neighborhood effort: You do not have to do all the work alone. Coordinate a neighborhood cleanup party. You can get to know your neighbors as well as spend time together as a family. You can even have treats and games when you finish.

There are many opportunities to make family recreation a learning experience as well as something that is fun. When you engage in a neighborhood cleanup, the lessons you impart are lasting and so are the memories that you make!

As a child, I loved the occasions when my mother would bring me out to look at the stars. Last time we went camping, my son and I sat for a while gazing up at the stars and finding the brightly shining North Star, as well as looking at constellations like the Big Dipper and Draco (my son loves dragons.) Then it occurred to me: I could bring my son out for star gazing anytime, and we could do it with his dad. Star gazing is a great family activity, especially during momentous events like meteor showers and lunar eclipses.

Watching Meteor Showers
Even though winter is approaching, it is still possible to engage in star gazing. In fact, my next family star gazing activity will be October 21, for the Orionids meteor shower. (There are two more meteor showers beyond the Orionids and before the end of the year: the Leonids and the Geminids.) Since it will be cold, I'll be sure to bundle my son in a warm winter coat, and we will all wear scarves, hats and thick socks with our shoes. I plan to have hot chocolate and cider ready for when we go in. We are lucky enough to live far enough out that we can sit on our front lawn.

Other Tips for Family Star Gazing
It is also possible to go star gazing on an "ordinary" night. Beforehand, learn about stars as a family. It is possible to find star charts online, as well as buy astronomy books that can give information about the locations of constellations, galaxies and planets. If you think you will use it, consider buying a telescope that you can use as family to zoom in on various celestial features. Another great idea is to learn about other cultures and remember the constellations by reading about the legends and myths that surround them.

Star gazing can make for great family recreation, as well as a valuable educational experience.

One of the things my son loves to do is go pick a pumpkin to carve into a jack o' lantern. We did it one year with my dad, and the boy has been an enthusiastic pumpkin picker ever since. Picking and carving pumpkins really can make a great fall family activity.

There are many places that still offer pumpkin patches in which you can go and choose your own pumpkins. In much the way agri-tourism has brought back picking your own apples (another great fall family activity) and picking your own strawberries, going to a patch somewhere to choose your own jack o' lantern pumpkins is becoming popular again. The whole family can look through the patch and choose the pumpkins that they like best. My son prefers the perfectly round ones that weigh about ten pounds, while my husband likes pumpkins that are taller than they are wide. No matter the preference, though, it is possible to find just the right pumpkin.

Make sure that you go prepared, however. It is starting to get chilly in most parts of the country. Wear sturdy shoes that you do not mind getting dirty (I never saw a mud-free pumpkin patch), and a jacket to keep you warm. It can also help to have gloves, especially if the day is brisk and a little windy. We like to go to a nearby farm that also offers pony rides for the kids and sometimes a wagon ride. With the crisp autumn air, the brightly colored leaves and the hot apple cider, the pumpkin patch day is usually a dream.

When you get the pumpkin home, if you plan to carve within a couple of days, you can leave the pumpkins on your doorstep. Otherwise, keep them in a cool, dark place. We keep ours in the cellar for a couple of weeks before carving. After you carve them, you can put a little petroleum jelly on the inside and along the edges that you carved out. This helps preserve the jack o' lanterns for a couple extra days.

I love to swim. And my love of swimming came at an early age, when my family went swimming together. Of course, it was mostly on family vacations when we made sure to go to the hotel pool, but it instilled in me a love for swimming. And it is a love I pass on to my own son. We try to go once a week, even in cold weather, since the wonder of modern convenience means indoor swimming is a possibility.

Start Swimming at a Young Age

It is best to start your children swimming at a young age. In fact, babies often feel an affinity to the water, since it resembles conditions in the womb. Get a swimsuit that fits, and bring your children to the pool often. My sister's kids have been visiting the pool since they were 6 months old. This allows children to grow up accustomed to the water. When they take swim lessons later, they will feel more comfortable and be more open to the experience.

Creating Happy Memories

Swim as a family. Children love doing things with mom and dad. When you both come to the pool -- and get in the water -- it makes the whole process more pleasurable. Additionally, it can be an inexpensive way to enjoy some family recreation. Check with your local pool. Most pools have a "family night" that comes with a discount for the whole family.

During the summer months, it can be fun to take your family swimming recreation to the ocean, a nearby lake or an outdoor water park. I've found that at the lake, no boat is necessary. Just take the kids swimming, set up towels on the beach and spend some time in the water. They will love it. For the outdoor water park, pack a picnic lunch and plan to make a day of it.

Swimming, whether indoors or in the open air, can be a great family recreation activity.

One of the things I loved doing as a child was looking at the brilliant fall colors when the leaves changed. I grew up in Idaho, so the colors weren't as varied as those I saw when I moved to New York state, but I still loved the changing of the season. Indeed, the changing leaves and crisp air are what make autumn my favorite time of year. And I love to share this time of year with my son. As a family, fall foliage tours are among our favorite activities.

Seeing the Changing Leaves with Your Family

Children instinctively love nature. You can nurture that love with outdoor activities. Looking at autumn leaves is a great way to do this. If you have children that are old enough, make sure they have good hiking shoes and comfortable jackets to prepared for a day outdoors. In some areas, there are activities associated with fall foliage. Find out if the following activities are available in your local area:

• Hay rides
• Pumpkin patches
• Canoeing
• Autumn crafts at a local nature center
• Bike and walking paths

Family Fall Foliage Project: Leaf Book

You can also bring the magic of fall foliage home with you. As a family, try to collect fallen leaves of different colors and varieties. When you get home, you can preserve the leaves and create a little "leaf book."

Here's an easy way to preserve leaves:
1. Lay the leaf between two sheets of wax paper.
2. Take an iron and carefully "iron" the leaves encased in the paper.

You can create labels with the names of the trees and tape them below the leaves. You can also mount the preserved leaves on construction paper and label them.

Autumn truly is a glorious time of year, one in which there are interesting and exciting opportunities to enjoy the beautiful sights offered by nature.

Who doesn't love comfort food? Unfortunately, many types of comfort food are loaded with fat and calories. How can you prepare a comforting dish that doesn't make your entire family wobble like penguins? All you need is healthier recipes. Luckily, you came to right place.

Bacon Cheese Fries
Serves 4 to 6

1 small bag of frozen seasoned French fries
4 ounces of 2-percent, shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup real bacon bits (ex. Hormel)

1. Heat oven according to French fry package.
2. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Layer French fries in a single layer and spray with additional cooking spray.
4. Bake according to package direction, turning the fries halfway through the cooking process.
5. Once done, immediately add the cheese and bacon bits.
6. Serve immediately with reduced-fat or fat-free ranch dressing.

Creamy Chicken with Vegetables and Pasta
Serves 4

1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
1 can of 98-percent fat-free cream of chicken soup
1/3 can of 2-percent milk (use soup can to measure)
2 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
2 cups of frozen vegetable and pasta blend

1. Cook olive oil and chicken in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
2. In the meantime, combine the soup, milk, cheese, pepper, vegetable and pasta blend.
3. Once the chicken is cooked, lower the heat and add the soup mixture.
4. Allow the mixture to heat until bubbly.
5. Serve a side salad and whole wheat rolls.

Almost-Sugar-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Serves 8

1 large box of sugar-free, cook-and-serve chocolate pudding
Milk needed to prepare pudding
6 tablespoons of reduced-fat peanut butter
1 graham cracker pie crust

1. Cook pudding according to package directions for pie filling.
2. Once you take the pudding off the heat, stir in the peanut butter.
3. Pour into pie crust and refrigerate until set.
4. Serve with sugar-free whipped topping.

Slip on a pair of sweatpants and enjoy the comforts of fall.

I love autumn. It's my favorite time of year. I love to be outside without feeling the sun will melt you. As a family, we get a lot more active during the fall as well. It is not too cold to do outside things like bike riding, walking, picnicking and hiking, yet it is cool enough that we remain comfortable -- as long as we are wearing jackets.
Choosing a jacket for children
Part of choosing jackets for children is getting the right balance that allows for some warmth, but that does not result in overheating. The jacket should be something that allows your child to participate comfortably in fall family recreation activities. Here are some considerations when choosing a fall jacket for children:

Durability

You want a jacket that will last a while and hold up under the rough use that children can sometimes put clothing through. Spending a little more for high quality now can mean that you have a jacket that lasts longer -- and that can be worn by subsequent children.

Size

We like to buy our son's jackets a little too large. Children grow quickly. If you want the jacket to be around for the spring, it can be helpful to get a jacket that is a size larger than what your child would normally wear. Of course, do not get it too large. Otherwise, it may hinder your child in some of their activities.

Easy on and off

Try to choose a jacket with a front zipper. This makes it easy to take on and off, and your child can even do it him or herself. Additionally, a front-zip jacket makes it easy to open the jacket a little for cooling, without having to take it off entirely.

Pockets for hands

Pockets can be a great place for hands to keep warm. My son keeps gloves in his pockets as well, making them easy to reach and pull on before a breezy fall bike ride.

Family vacations can be a lot of fun. But they can also be a lot of stress. I remember my mother keeping most of the games, books, toys and snacks with her. Even when we got a little older. What resulted was not pretty. Mom looked harassed all the time; with five kids, one of us was always clambering for something. One way I've learned from her mistakes is to let my son be in charge of his own stuff. He's five years old, and perfectly capable of managing his own backpack with snacks, books, toys, games and coloring books (with crayons, of course).

Choosing backpacks for children
You do want to make sure that your child can handle his or her backpack. My son's backpack is slightly smaller and easy for him to carry. Your child should also be old enough and mature enough to handle keeping track of his or her things. If you travel on airplanes a lot, you might consider a wheeled backpack. This can make things easier between flights. Here are some other features that you might consider when choosing travel backpacks for your children:

• At least one zip pocket in the front (two or three is better). This is an ideal place for the snacks. They won't get lost if they are kept in the front pocket.
• Tall enough to fit a coloring book without having to bend it to make it fit.
• Lightweight.
• Sturdy.
• Small enough that it will fit under the seat of an airplane. You don't want to be constantly trying to get it out of the overhead.
• Side pockets (if necessary) for electronics. Sometimes these pockets are located on the inside of the bag.

Before you leave, make sure you show your child how to pack the backpack. Check to make sure that it is not too full, by having your child walk around with it for a while.

You can make your family vacation a little less stressful by allowing your child to be responsible for access to his or her own entertainment.

As kids get older it is important for them to learn about responsibility. One of the easiest ways to teach kids about responsibility is to give them chores to complete. The purpose of the chores is not to provide parents with free labor, although that is a pleasant side effect, but instead it is to make kids feel like they are an important part of the family. As the parents of multiples you face a challenge, figuring out how to assign chores that will seem fair and that will provide each multiple with the opportunity to learn new skills and to develop their own interests.

Assigning Chores Option No. 1: Chore Rotation
You have a few options when it comes to assigning chores. The first option is to create a list of chores and to rotate who does what. When you first assign chores you need to be realistic about what your kids can handle, and the chores need to be age appropriate. For example, great starter chores for young kids can be putting their toys away, putting their clothes in the hamper and filling the dog's water and food dishes. As your multiples get older you can assign more complicated chores like folding clothes, taking out the garbage and doing the dishes. The rotation of chores option allows your multiples to try each chore out at least once.

Assigning Chores Option No. 2: Interest Based Assignments
After your multiples have tried out the various chores that are available in your household, you can ask each one which chores they like and which ones they don't like. Hopefully, their like/dislike lists will not overlap and you will be able to divvy up the chores based on what each multiple likes to do. This will not only make doing chores more enjoyable, but it will also encourage your multiples to develop individual interests. Another option that you have is to ask each of your multiples what they like to do and then find a chore that will allow them to explore that interest.

Assigning Chores Option No. 3: The Wheel of Chores
The third option that you have is to make the chore selection into a weekly game. At the beginning of each week have each multiple spin a wheel labeled with different chores, or have them draw a chore from a hat. This will make the assignment of chores fun and by putting a one week limit on the chore they are assigned, if they have a chore they don't like to do, they only have to do it for a week.

One of the great things about gardening is that it can serve as a great family recreation activity, while at the same time providing your family with a source of inexpensive and healthy produce. Additionally, a family garden teaches children to help out around the house and is a great way to help them learn that there are great rewards that come with hard work. Even children can enjoy working in a family garden. Just remember that you all need to do is work together as a family to make it a fun family recreation, as well as teaching, experience.

Tips for making a family garden
Consider activities that are age appropriate. Children of all ages can dig holes and help put the seeds in. It is also possible for toddlers to help remove rocks from the garden area. However, some children may not be able to help in all capacities. Keep a section of the garden available only for digging. This will allow the youngest children the ability to feel as though they are part of the adventure.

Set aside specific shoes for gardening. Shoes are going to get dirty, so try and set them aside, just out the back door or inside the garage, and designate them as "gardening shoes." Slip-on shoes, shoes with Velcro or old canvas shoes are ideal for outside work in a family garden. These are quick and easy to put on and take off and can be exclusively for work in the garden.

Have a variety of plants. Include large sunflowers in the family garden, along with vegetables. Cherry tomatoes, pumpkins (and other vine plants) and beans (and peas that climb) are all fun for children. Talk about the different plants and what they can be used for. Harvest them together and make a point to eat produce from your garden. If there is enough, be sure to freeze or bottle it for later in the year.

Some of my happiest memories growing up were made in the family garden. Family recreation doesn't have to be expensive or take you away from home. You can build strong family ties in your own backyard.

Chinese food is not only easy to make, but you can have a meal on the table in less than 30 minutes. The following are just a couple easy recipes to get you started.

Many families love to visit a Chinese restaurant, at least once a week. And what's not to love? There are so many different dishes to choose from, especially when you choose from the buffet. Unfortunately, Chinese food can be quite unhealthy. After all, many Chinese foods are deep fried and coated in sugary sauces. How can you enjoy the flavor of Chinese dishes, without expanding your waistband? Why, you make them yourself of course. Chinese food is not only easy to make, but you can have a meal on the table in less than 30 minutes. The following are just a couple easy recipes to get you started.

Chicken Fried Rice
Serves 4

• 1 box of chicken flavored rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 cup green onion tops, chopped
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

1. Brown the rice mixture in olive oil over medium heat. Once brown, add the water and seasoning packet and cook according to package directions.
2. Five minutes before the rice has finished cooking, stir in the cooked chicken and finish cooking.
3. Once cooked, top with green onions and slivered almonds.
4. Serve with baked egg rolls.

Baked Chicken Egg Rolls
Serve 4

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 ounces 98% lean ground chicken
• 1 package of cole slaw mix
• 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
• 8 egg roll wrappers
• Nonstick cooking spray

1. Pour olive oil into a large skillet and cook ground chicken until almost done.
2. Add the cole slaw mix and cook until chicken is thoroughly cooked and vegetables begin to wilt.
3. Add soy sauce to filling and roll in egg roll wrappers.
4. Spray the bottom of a cookie sheet and the tops of the egg rolls. Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.

The perfect way to end your Chinese meal is to serve an exotic Asian fruit, such as star fruit. Your children will love the unique shape and you'll love the fact that star fruit only contains 40 calories and 0 grams of fat.

Any recipes you want to share? Comment below!