3 Ideas for a Fab Yes Day (And How to Set Yes Day Rules)

Written by Natasha Combrink

Published on June 28, 2024

• Budget-friendly Yes Day ideas include manageable activities like dance parties, scavenger hunts, cupcake decoration, and arts and crafts.
• It’s best to avoid activities that require bookings or travel to keep the day spontaneous and stress-free.
• Setting Yes Day rules is essential to help manage expectations, prevent chaos, and ensure safety.
• Involving children in setting ground rules helps them understand their importance and encourages compliance.
• Establishing a budget prevents overspending.

If you’ve seen the movie Yes Day starring Jennifer Garner, you might have thought to yourself, “My children would love something like this!” Or maybe you watched it as a family, and now your kids are insisting on having their own Yes Day.

Whichever category you fall into, planning a whole day filled with your children’s Yes Day ideas can seem unnerving.

Your first thoughts will probably be that they’d want to take a road trip to Disney World or fill your entire backyard with slime, but if you suggest a dance party, scavenger hunt, baking competition, board games, or a water balloon fight, they could be open to it.

There’s a lot of easy, low-cost, fun stuff you can incorporate into your Yes Day that the whole family can enjoy.

The most important thing to remember is to set Yes Day rules while still allowing your children to make their own decisions.

Yes Days are about giving your kids the power to create lasting memories. However, as parents, we still have authority over precisely how much control they have.

Here are some Yes Day ideas you can let your kids choose between:

Idea 1: Creative Cooking

Creative cooking is a fun way to get the whole family involved in a Yes Day activity. If you let your kids pick what meals to prepare, they’ll also feel more in control and excited.

Here are a few kid-friendly recipes you can suggest that will keep them entertained without breaking the bank:

Make-Your-Own-Pizza

For make-your-own pizza, you can set out different toppings like cheese, pepperoni, veggies, and sauce. If you feel stuck, you can also just go with your children’s requests!

Allow each child to create their pizza however they like.

If possible, turn this activity into a family competition. That way, your children can spend quality time together while also having fun competing for a special treat.

Decorate Cupcakes

Decorating cupcakes can be another fun activity. You can bake the cupcakes beforehand or together as a team effort.

Then, let your kids go crazy with colorful frosting, sprinkles, and other decorations. This activity satisfies their sweet tooth and encourages creativity as they choose their own toppings.

Ice Cream Creations

If your kids are old enough, creating ice cream cones or bowls for each other is a great way to make memories.

Blindfold the child whose ice cream is being scooped, and have a sibling surprise them with a unique flavor or topping combination. You can let them guess the flavors or toppings before removing their blindfold.

Idea 2: Arts and Crafts Bonanza

An arts and crafts station could be perfect for your Yes Day fun! Start by selecting art supplies like paints, brushes, colored paper, glue, glitter, markers, and any other materials you think your kids will enjoy.

Encourage them to paint pictures, make collages, or even create handmade cards for themselves or each other.

They might even want to build a sculpture from recycled materials or design jewelry!

This activity offers endless possibilities. Your children can stay entertained for hours. It’s also an excellent chance for them to get creative and express themselves.

You can let their imagination run wild or work on a big family art project together.

Idea 3: Movie Marathon

After an entire day of fun, a movie marathon could be the perfect way to unwind and end your Yes Day.

You can let your children pick their favorite movies or shows to watch or place a few options in a hat and ask each child to draw one.

To make your movie marathon extra special, create a cozy environment. Here are a few tips:

• Comfortable seating: Arrange plenty of pillows, blankets, and cushions on the floor or couch. This will create a comfy space where everyone can relax.
• Snacks: Prepare different snacks like popcorn, candy, or junk food. You can even make cookies or brownies together before the movie starts.
• Lighting: Dim the lights or use fairy lights to create a movie theater ambiance. Having pretty lights could set a fun mood for your children and make the experience more fun.
• Breaks: Plan short breaks between movies or episodes for bathroom trips, snack refills, or quick stretches. This keeps everyone comfortable, engaged, and ready for more screen time.

Setting Yes Day Rules

Without rules, your Yes Day can quickly turn into chaos. If you want an enjoyable experience for everyone involved, setting a few simple ground rules before the day starts will help manage expectations and, hopefully, prevent tantrums. Here are a few ideas:

Rule 1: No Activities That Require Bookings or Travel

To keep the day spontaneous and stress-free, avoid activities that need advance reservations or extensive travel, like visiting a theme park, taking a road trip, or attending a sports event.

Rule 2: Set a Budget

Set a family budget to avoid overspending. This will ensure that you can enjoy your Yes Day without worrying about costs.

You can also ban certain activities like going on a shopping spree or limit dining options if you’re giving your children the choice to visit their favorite restaurant.

Rule 3: Make Safety a Priority

When children get excited, they don’t always consider safety. Your kids might insist on doing dangerous stunts or activities that could lead to injuries.

Be clear on what is acceptable and what’s off-limits.

Rule 4: Limit Screen Time

The point of a Yes Day is to create fun memories as a family. Limit screen time to find a balance between digital and physical activities.

Rule 5: Time Management

Decide when your Yes Day will start and end while you’re in the planning stage.

This will help you set aside enough time for your kids’ ideas and get them to bed at a reasonable hour so they get enough rest after such an exciting day.

Involve Your Children in Setting Ground Rules

Involving your kids¹1. Creating Classroom Rules with Children. Eastern Connecticut State University. https://www.easternct.edu/center-for-early-childhood-education/expert-interviews/creating-classroom-rules-with-children.html#:~:text=Children%20are%20more%20likely%20to,to%20help%20enforce%20the%20rules. in setting a few ground rules for their Yes Day will help them understand the importance of these rules and make them more likely to follow them.

You should gather everyone involved to discuss what Yes Day should look like.

Let your kids suggest ideas and talk about what is realistic and what isn’t.

Setting Yes Day rules will help create a day filled with fun while ensuring practicality and safety.

By planning ahead and involving your children in the process, you can create the perfect Yes Day and memories everyone will cherish for years.

Who knows, you might even turn your special day into a family tradition!

Reference

1. Creating Classroom Rules with Children. Eastern Connecticut State University. (n.d.). https://www.easternct.edu/center-for-early-childhood-education/expert-interviews/creating-classroom-rules-with-children.html#:~:text=Children%20are%20more%20likely%20to,to%20help%20enforce%20the%20rules.