Peace Out: Ways to Celebrate International Day of Peace

While it may be true that a household full of kids is not always synonymous with peace or quiet, in honor of International Day of Peace, we’ve got plenty of ways for the kids to keep the peace. Read on for some inspiration. 

photo: anuarsalleh via flickr

1. Peace, defined. Grab the dictionary and get to know the definition of peace. Then have them write a sentence or a poem inspired by the word.
2. Hug it out. Random, unrequested hugs between family members will do more than just melt your heart. melting and just might get them to share their toys a little easier.
3. Go global. Spin a globe and have them close their eyes and point (this works just as well with a map). Then spend some time together finding out some facts about the country they randomly chose.
4. Bake love, not war. Whip up a batch of awesome cookies and bring them to your police station, where they can be distributed to the local “peace” officers.
5. Pets for peace. If you have a pet of your own, take a few minutes to just pet them calmly. If you don’t have one, find out if you can visit your local animal shelter as a volunteer to help feed or engage the animals.
6. The family that plays together. Take some time to play a board game or another activity like building with LEGOs together, as a family. Even just thirty minutes!
7. Visualize whirled peas. Make dinner with your child: let them pick ingredients and help with the prep. This may lead to less negotiating over a few more bites, too.
8. Quiet time. Have each member of the family sit and read or play quietly for at least 15 minutes. Let them choose the activity, but avoid electronics.
9. Practice peace. Do some simple yoga stretches with your kids. Everyone will focus and have fun. Great poses for kids include sun salutations, “mouse” or child’s pose, downward dog and tree. Here’s a ten-minute instructional video from yoga instructor Sarah Klein and her 10-year-old niece.
10. Take a hike. Go for a walk outside, in the forest or a nearby park. Take time to breath in the fresh air and have everyone point out one thing they love about nature.

How to you keep it peaceful with the kiddos? Share your tips in the comments below. 

—Amber Guetebier