Plan some amazing family fun with this guide for how to have a Yes Day!
At this point in time, I think most parents are familiar with the term Yes Day thanks to the popular Netflix movie of the same name, but in case you’re not, here it is in simple terms:
A ‘Yes Day’ is a day where you say yes to everything your kids ask for {within reason, of course}.
I’d been dragging my feet to have one, despite my kids asking often. I thought for sure we’d spend hundreds of dollars, leaving me to feel resentful or annoyed. But when it made its appearance on our summer bucket list, I knew I had to honor the request.
Thankfully, we recently had a Yes Day and it was quite the opposite. It ended up being a great day full of simple requests and surely one my kids will remember forever.
Here are some ideas for guidelines to set before just letting the kids loose.
How To Have A YES Day
- Set a budget. I chose to spend $20-$25 per kid — special food included. {We did end up shoe shopping as requested, but that was for school shoes, so that didn’t count!} I made it clear that whatever wasn’t spent wasn’t coming back to them.
- Encourage collaboration. I have three kids and wasn’t about to honor ALL of their individual requests. I loved hearing them brainstorm together to figure out things they would all enjoy.
- Set expectations. My kids definitely asked for us to adopt a cat we saw. While my heartstrings were pulled because I’m a sap for pets, living things were not going to be part of this day. Obviously anything unsafe, harmful, or illegal wouldn’t fly either.
- Pick a mile radius for activities. Don’t love driving all over? Set a mileage parameter so kids know you aren’t willing to drive to Timbuktu to make their dreams come true.
- Encourage kids to get creative. Turns out the unlimited Nintendo time, staying up late, and sleepover with a friend were a big hit. And they cost us NOTHING.
- Remind them of all the amazing free spots to visit. Parks, playgrounds, our beautiful state parks…all free and fun to enjoy! We also love visiting Little Free Libraries and Geocaching on family days and those are an easy way to create an adventure on a budget.
- Only have a YES day on occasion. Make it super special by only doing it once a year, or as my friend Michelle said, only on birthdays. I loved that we waited until the end of summer because tensions and arguments have been high and it was a great way to break up the monotony.
- Have fun!
If you have a child who is super savvy and may take advantage, maybe make some of the bigger plans ahead of time.
Our Yes Day itinerary for my 7, 10 and 11 year olds:
- Visit the pet store
- Lunch at Culver’s
- Go shoe shopping
- Play the claw machine
- Play miniature golf
- Pick out a few items/treats from Dollar Tree
- Unlimited Nintendo time {we usually set timers}
- Pick up pizza and go to the lake with friends
- More Nintendo
- Stay up late
- I handled their chores for the day
- One child had a sleepover with a friend
When my kids were heading to bed, one of them said it was the best day ever. And honestly as a parent, it was the BEST for me too. I didn’t have to disappoint the kids all day long, siblings had to compromise and get along, and honestly I felt like what they requested was all reasonable for a special day.
If you’ve never done one, I highly suggest giving it a shot. You just may make some fantastic memories along the way!
Any Yes Day tips to add? Chime in!
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