Do you ever wish you could turn back the clock to a simpler time? Days spent in tree forts and on playgrounds, and nights at friends' houses for sleepovers — weren't things much easier as a kid?
With many of us missing our loved ones and reminiscing about simpler times, indulging in nostalgia is a comforting feeling these days. Luckily, revisiting sentimental activities from your childhood can help you reconnect with these powerful memories, improving your mood and even helping to alleviate stress.
You know that euphoric feeling you get when a song from your childhood comes on the radio, and you belt out the lyrics, not even realizing you still remembered every single word? That's the magic of nostalgia. But you don't need to wait for an old tune to surprise you so that you can revisit the past; there are plenty of fun activities you can do this weekend to send you back in time, in the best possible way.
Maybe some of your fondest memories are of you and your family roasting marshmallows over a campfire, or smelling the unmistakable scent of buttery Jiffy Pop popcorn and watching the bag get bigger and bigger while it cooks on the stove. Or perhaps blanket forts and boardgames are what await you down memory lane.
If you're looking for something fun to do alone or with your household this weekend, these ideas are sure to make you feel like a kid again.
Build A Fort
Being a kid is all about letting your imagination run wild, and transforming the living room into a fort is one way to let that recapture that energy. Use blankets, chairs, pillows, or whatever you have on hand to create a cozy oasis right at home.
If you've got them, fairy lights will add some enchanting ambiance to your setup.
Have A Pyjama Party With Your Household
In keeping with the cozy vibe, why not add a fuzzy pyjama dress code? Re-live your childhood sleepovers where matching PJ suits were all the rage, and make "just another night at home" special for your family or with this fun theme.
Stock Up On Your Favourite Childhood Snacks
When it comes to nostalgia, nothing quite sends us back in time like flavours and smells and there's even science to back it up. This weekend, send your tastebuds back in time with favourites like Jiffy Pop, which isn't just a delicious snack, but is also as much fun to make as it is to eat!
Take yourself right back to nights at the cottage as you cook Jiffy Pop on the camp stove while listening to that iconic popping sound and sharing stories from the past.
Have A Video Game Tournament
Remember when beating your siblings at video games was your most central concern? Revisiting the video games you played as a kid is a sure way to turn back the clock and help you feel like a kid again.
Maybe you want to show your partner or little ones the games that had you captivated as a kid. Or, you could even play video games online with your childhood friends for the full nostalgic experience.
Have A '90s Movie Night
cottonbro | PexelsWhile the days of VHS and DVD rentals are gone, streaming services make accessing movies from your childhood a breeze. Create a list of films to watch, and consider switching up the themes as the night rolls on. You might start with a cartoon and end with a cheesy horror film, with something something funny and lighthearted sandwiched in between.
Whatever you decide to watch, taking a break to cook up some nostalgic Jiffy Pop is never a bad idea, and popcorn is arguably the best food to enjoy with a movie marathon.
Play Board Games From Your Childhood
It's time to dust off those boxes in the attic because nothing brings back memories of family bonding like a board game. Even if you don't have the more well-known games to hand, there's plenty you can do with a deck of playing cards. You'll get to revive your childhood and maybe even improve your brain health. Time to flex your strategic muscles and have fun doing it.
Build A Slip & Slide In The Yard
Sometimes a fun activity can be created with just a few simple components: like a tarp, bubbles and cool water on a hot day. Summertime is all about coming up with creative ways to beat the heat, and making a slip and slide is sure to take you back to vacations from the past.
Nostalgia will look a little different for everyone, but no matter how you decide to revisit the good ol' days, your mood is sure to be brightened. And since one of the most powerful ways to evoke memories is through taste, stocking up on snacks from your childhood, like Jiffy Pop, will help you get sentimental in the best kind of way.