We’re coming up with a list of 50 free and slow things you can do as a family to wile away an afternoon. I know it’s only Wednesday but I like to look ahead to those weekend days where sleeping in is an option and afternoons beckon a little wiling.

Here are a few…

1. Do shadow chalk drawings on the sidewalk. Stand in funny positions when the sun is at an angle – either late morning or late afternoon. Draw what you see.

2. Picnic in the park. Pack dinner in a cooler. If you’re park has a grill throw in some veggies to grill or hotdogs. Load up the scooters. Hit a local park. Call some friends if you like. It’s dinner out at no extra cost.

3. Live in a city? Take an urban hike. Load up the stroller, the kids, the snacks and hit the streets. Our last urban hike lasted all day and ended with a stop in our neighborhood park. We totally felt like visitors in our own town of Austin, TX.

4. Art day in the yard. Get out the sketch pads, the watercolors, the pencils and crayons. Head outside to your yard or to a nearby park. Look at everything through artist’s eyes. sketch, paint, draw your house, your yard, the flowers, the trees, bicycles, playscapes. Do the solo or collaboratively everyone working on one big piece. It’s a brand new way of seeing things you see everyday.

5. Garbage hike. Take a bag. Take a walk. Pick up trash. You’ll feel good about it. You’ll be teaching your kids a great habit. Your streets will look cleaner. Everyone wins.

6. Set up camp in the yard. Tents. Fire. Supper and songs. It’s easy and could actually grant your whole family a whole weekend of fun.