In these confusing and stressful times, you appreciate the important things in life even more. For me, that means my family. They are the most important people in the world to me. Even as we navigate this difficult season full of homeschooling, missed birthday celebrations, and family FaceTime calls, I find myself so grateful to be blessed with such wonderful loved ones. As a family photographer, I understand how important it is to capture the special moments with our families and find joy wherever we can.

Whether you are safe at home with your own family, or working on the frontlines and perhaps separated from your loved ones, I want to offer you encouragement during this crisis. Together with my family, I’ve come up with some easy ideas for you to celebrate your loved ones and make memories together, even if you’re apart.

Scrapbook

Scrapbooking is such a fun activity for littles with cabin fever. Get creative with whatever supplies you have on hand including photos, birthday cards, magazines, and even dried flowers from your yard. Work together to make a page for each family member, or make pages for important moments in your lives! Family members living apart can participate, too, and once you’re all back together, you can create one beautiful memory book!

Video Diaries

Many of us might be getting sick of screens, so find some fun, new ways to communicate virtually! Video diaries can be fun for all ages – parents can interview kids, kids can interview parents, your whole family can even put on a quarantine fashion show or host a quarantine baking video. These memories will be so fun to share with faraway family and friends, and to look back on in the future!

Snail Mail

It’s difficult to not be able to visit with grandparents and other relatives. I bet they would be so delighted to receive mail from your kids! Consider including a letter (older kids can write their own to practice their writing skills!) with some precious artwork. You can even order stamps and envelopes online from the comfort of your home!

Traveling Toy

Take a little inspiration from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants! Pick a small plastic toy (and action figure or plastic doll would be best for easy cleaning) and send it around to each household in your extended family! Relatives can take pictures of the toy doing things around their house and include a note when they send it onto the next house. Kids will love seeing their cousins, grandparents, and other relatives getting creative with a shared memento!

Family Photo Session

It’s hard to plan for the future when faced with so much uncertainty. One of the easiest plans you can make is for a future family photo session once the pandemic has subsided! Picture this: all of your family is gathered together (finally with a great excuse to put on real clothes!) in one of your favorite places sharing laughs, hugs, and silly moments – and all captured by a family photographer so you can cherish these memories forever! What better way to celebrate your loved ones and come away with beautiful photos for your home? As an NYC and NJ family, I may currently be unable to capture family photos, but I am offering special savings on future packages as a way to help you and your family make memories together after this crisis!

Virtual Celebrations

If you have a birthday or other milestone in your family, keep the celebrations going with some virtual fun! Have family and friends join in on a video call to sing Happy Birthday, play virtual games via the Houseparty app, or, if you can do so safely, consider a birthday parade with loved ones driving by the person of honor’s home!

Theme Nights

One of the cutest ideas I’ve seen my friends doing with their own families has been theme nights! From indoor campouts and Taco Tuesdays, to movie nights and scavenger hunts, there are so many ways to have fun together as a family. If you’re feeling stressed or the kids are restless (or both!), shutting off the screens and planning an easy theme night using stuff from around your home can be a great break. Build an epic fort and have a picnic dinner inside or create your own bowling alley in the hallway with empty soda bottles. You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect plan – just a little imagination!

I hope these family fun ideas help bring some joy into your lives and also spark some wonderful memories. I am always here for you and your family and would love to hear more about what you are doing to be strong together during this pandemic.

I would also love your help to find deserving frontline families to spoil! If someone you know is a frontline worker, please consider nominating them for my Family Memory Giftaway on Instagram.

Making family memories is so important, especially now. I would be so happy to be a part of helping your family preserve these memories! I am currently offering a special discount on family photo session packages. If you put a deposit down now, not only will you save significantly, you’ll also have something wonderful to look forward to with your sweet family! Learn more about booking a future family photo session or contact me anytime!

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Myra Roman is an NYC and New Jersey family photographer who loves capturing sweet moments and turning them into lasting memories. Currently, Myra is offering special family photo session packages for the future. View her website for more information or follow her on Instagram!