Let's inspire some creativity as we look at the year ahead...


Family time is so much more fun when there are new activities to try, new places to explore, or a new perspective on all the things that already grace our lives. My goal for 2023 is to enrich my time with my kids as much as possible, in a way that allows us all to authentically enjoy it and to be delighted with the world around us. As a homeschooling mom of two, a teacher, and a photographer, there's a really fun blend of learning, curiosity, creativity, and adventure to be had in our area. My hope with this overview of the year is that you would find inspiration and encouragement to inspire you to lean into family time and plan some fun things you can all look forward to. We try to strike a balance of big adventures, smaller day trips, and simple daily activities that bring joy, curiosity, nature, and wonder into the "mundane".


I also have a new endeavor this year: a monthly newsletter for families in Northern California that's chock-full of encouragement, recipes, books, activities, events, and other enrichment ideas in our area. Instead of having to search the internet or sift through social media, you'll get a lovingly curated menu in your inbox each month with easy-to-implement ideas to make family time a blast. My heart is to bring refreshment and inspiration to our lives as parents, to allow us to be fully present and engaged with our kids during their growing years. Sign up here, or on the pop-up on this page.


That being said, here's an overview of some ideas for each month of the year!


January


Go on a nature walk: Even if you only have a few minutes, a nature walk can be a great way to get outside and appreciate the world around you. Take the time to look at the trees, listen to the birds, and notice the different plants and animals in your area. Grab a field guide for common birds or critters you might see and let the kids feel like professionals as they show off what they've learned!


Have a family game night: With the shorter days and colder weather, January is the perfect time for a cozy family game night. Whether you're playing board games, card games, or video games, a game night is a great way to spend quality time together. Click here for a blog post with a bunch of game ideas!


Cook together: Cooking is a fun and delicious way to spend time together as a family. For a simple and delicious January recipe, try making homemade hot chocolate or a hearty soup. You could also make homemade pizzas or try a new recipe from a cookbook. Check out the monthly subscription from Raddish Kids, with 3 thematic recipes, games, discussion cards, and more each time!


Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Take the time to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Read books, watch documentaries, or even visit a nearby Civil Rights museum.

February


Celebrate Valentine's Day: Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to show your loved ones how much you care. You can have a special family dinner, bake Valentine's Day treats together, or make homemade cards for each other.


Take a trip to the Museum: February is a great time to visit a museum and learn about different cultures and art. In Solano and Yolo counties, you can visit the Vacaville Museum, the Davis Art Center, or the Pence Gallery.


Do a winter craft: With the colder weather, February is a great time to do indoor activities such as crafts. You can make homemade valentines for neighbors, create cutout snowflakes, or make DIY snow globes from mason jars.


Try ice-skating: Take advantage of the winter weather and go ice-skating together as a family. You can find ice-skating rinks in nearby towns such as the one at Vacaville Ice Sports.


Have a snow day: If you're lucky enough to get some snowfall in Northern California, make the most of it by having a snow day. You can go sledding, make a snowman, or have a snowball fight together.

March


Plan your backyard garden: March is the perfect time to plan your backyard garden. Take a trip to a local nursery and pick out plants and flowers that you'd like to grow. This is a great way to get kids involved in nature and to teach them about the environment and responsibility. Check out Morningsun Herb Farm in Vacaville.


Visit a nearby farm: March is a great time to visit a nearby farm. You can learn about where our food comes from and the hard work that goes into growing it. You can also go on a hayride, feed the animals, or pick fruits and vegetables. Be Love Farm in Vacaville offers tours for kids, and Connolly Ranch in Napa has classes, family farm days, and educational opportunities.


Celebrate St. Patrick's Day: St. Patrick's Day is a great opportunity to have fun as a family. You can make Irish-inspired meals, wear green, or even participate in a St. Patrick's Day parade.


Have a family picnic in the park: As the weather starts to warm up, have a family picnic in the park. Pack a lunch and spend the afternoon together enjoying the sunshine and each other's company.


Attend an event: In March, there are many events that take place in Solano and Yolo counties, such as the Vacaville Cherry Blossom Festival, the Davis Art Walk, and the Winters Farmer's Market.

April


Celebrate Earth Day: April 22nd is Earth Day, a great opportunity to teach children about the environment and the importance of taking care of it. You can participate in a local clean-up event, plant a tree, or learn about recycling and conservation.


Go on a bike ride: As the weather gets warmer, April is a great time to go on a family bike ride. You can explore a local trail or just take a leisurely ride around your neighborhood. Davis is home to many wonderful bike paths!


Visit a nearby lake or beach: April is a great time to take a trip to a nearby lake or beach and enjoy the warmer weather. You can go fishing, have a picnic, or just play in the sand. Check out Lake Solano, the Cold Canyon hike in Berryessa, or head all the way out to Bodega Bay for some authentic beach action. Bring a jacket!


Attend an event: April is a great time to attend events in Solano and Yolo counties, such as the Vacaville Peach Festival, the Davis Music Fest, or the Winters Jazz and Blues Fest.


Have a backyard BBQ: As the weather warms up, have a family BBQ in your backyard. Grill burgers and hotdogs, play games, and enjoy the sunshine together. Cornhole anyone??

May


Have a family camping trip: May is a great time to go camping as a family. You can pitch a tent in a nearby campground, make s'mores, and enjoy the great outdoors. Some favorite local campgrounds include Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Sly Park, Casini Ranch, Pinecrest Lake Campground, and Doran Beach Campground.


Take a day trip to a nearby National Park: May is a great time to visit a nearby National Park and enjoy the beauty of nature. You can go hiking, take a ranger-led tour, or just enjoy the scenery.


Attend an event: In May, there are many events that take place in Solano and Yolo counties, such as the Vacaville Art in the Park, the Davis Farmers Market, and the Winters Art and Wine Festival.


Have a family picnic in the park: May is a great time to have a family picnic in the park. Pack a lunch and spend the afternoon together enjoying the sunshine and each other's company.


Go to a nearby lake or beach: May is a great time to take a trip to a nearby lake or beach and enjoy the warmer weather. You can go fishing, have a picnic, or just play in the sand.

June


Visit a nearby winery: Solano, Yolo and Napa counties are known for their wine production, why not visit a nearby winery and taste some of the local wines. You can also take a tour of the vineyards and learn about the wine-making process.


Go kayaking or canoeing: Take advantage of the nearby rivers and lakes and rent a kayak or canoe for a fun family day on the water. You can find rental spots in Fairfield, Winters, or Davis.


Take a hot air balloon ride: Experience the beautiful views of Northern California from a hot air balloon ride. You can find hot air balloon rides in Napa Valley or Solano County.


Visit a nearby lake or beach: June is a great time to take a trip to a nearby lake or beach and enjoy the warmer weather. You can go fishing, have a picnic, or just play in the sand.


Attend a local festival: June is a great time to attend local festivals, such as the Vacaville Peach Festival, the Davis Music Fest, or the Winters Jazz and Blues Fest.

July


Visit a nearby amusement park: July is a great time to visit an amusement park and have some fun with your family. You can find amusement parks in Vallejo, Sacramento or Concord.


Have a family day at the lake or river: July is a great time to spend a day at a nearby lake or river, and enjoy swimming, boating, or fishing. You can find lakes and rivers in Lake Berryessa, Putah Creek, or Lake Solano.


Take a trip to a nearby National Park: July is a great time to take a trip to a nearby National Park, you can hike, camp, or enjoy the nature around you. Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, or Point Reyes National Seashore are some of the options


Celebrate Independence Day: July 4th is Independence Day, a great opportunity to celebrate with your family. You can attend a local parade, have a BBQ, or watch fireworks.


Attend a local event: July is a great time to attend local events, such as the Vacaville 4th of July Parade, the Davis Arts and Crafts Fair, or the Winters 4th of July Celebration.

August


Visit a nearby fair or county fair: August is a great time to visit a fair or county fair, you can find them in Solano, Yolo or Napa counties. You can enjoy the rides, food, and entertainment with your family.


Have a family day at the beach: August is a great time to spend a day at the beach, you can swim, build sandcastles, or have a picnic. You can find beaches in Benicia, Vacaville, or Davis.


Go hiking: August is a great time to go hiking and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you. You can find hiking trails in Putah Creek, Lake Berryessa or Point Reyes National Seashore.


Attend a local concert or music festival: August is a great time to attend a local concert or music festival, such as the Vacaville Music Festival, the Davis Music Fest, or the Winters Jazz and Blues Fest.


Have a family BBQ: August is a great time to have a family BBQ in your backyard. Grill burgers and hotdogs, play games, and enjoy the sunshine together.

September


Visit a nearby apple orchard: September is a great time to visit a nearby apple orchard and pick apples. You can find apple orchards in Napa Valley, Solano County or Yolo County.


Go on a family bike ride: September is a great time to go on a family bike ride, you can explore a local trail or take a leisurely ride around your neighborhood. You can find trails in Putah Creek, Lake Berryessa or Point Reyes National Seashore.


Attend a local festival: September is a great time to attend local festivals, such as the Vacaville Fall Festival, the Davis Arts and Crafts Fair, or the Winters Art and Wine Festival.


Have a family picnic in the park: September is a great time to have a family picnic in the park. Pack a lunch and spend the afternoon together enjoying the sunshine and each other's company.


Visit a nearby farm: September is a great time to visit a nearby farm, you can pick fruits and vegetables, go on a hayride or meet the farm animals.

October


Take a walk in a nearby arboretum, botanical garden, or nature reserve and enjoy the changing leaves, you can find them in UC Davis Arboretum, Vacaville's Elmendrof Danish Island Park or Napa Valley's Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.


Visit a nearby apple orchard, cider mill, or farm, to enjoy the season's fruits, you can find them in Napa Valley, Solano County or Yolo County.


Have a family day at the lake or river, enjoy the cooler weather and the beautiful fall colors, you can find them in Lake Berryessa, Putah Creek, or Lake Solano.


Attend a local fair, festival or event that celebrate the fall season, such as the Vacaville Fall Festival, the Davis Arts and Crafts Fair, or the Winters Art and Wine Festival.


Have a family home activity, such as baking pumpkin pies, making apple cider, or decorating the house for Halloween.

November


Attend a local parade or event that celebrates Thanksgiving, such as the Vacaville Thanksgiving parade, the Davis Turkey Trot, or the Winters Harvest Festival.


Have a family day at the park, enjoy the cooler weather and the beautiful fall colors, you can find them in Fairfield, Winters, or Davis.


Visit a nearby Christmas tree farm and cut down your own tree, you can find them in Solano, Yolo, or Napa counties.


Have a family home activity, such as making homemade Thanksgiving decorations, baking pies, or preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal.


Take a trip to a nearby city, such as Sacramento, San Francisco, or Napa, to enjoy the holiday lights, window displays, and festive atmosphere.

December


Attend a local parade or event that celebrates Thanksgiving, such as the Vacaville Thanksgiving parade, the Davis Turkey Trot, or the Winters Harvest Festival.


Have a family day at the park, enjoy the cooler weather and the beautiful fall colors, you can find them in Fairfield, Winters, or Davis.


Visit a nearby Christmas tree farm and cut down your own tree, you can find them in Solano, Yolo, or Napa counties.


Have a family home activity, such as making homemade Thanksgiving decorations, baking pies, or preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal.


Take a trip to a nearby city, such as Sacramento, San Francisco, or Napa, to enjoy the holiday lights, window displays, and festive atmosphere.