Sometimes a busy Mom needs a break. That's the
real reason why I'm asking the youth in my household to help plan some of the family activities this summer, and I'm giving them a
visual tool to make it easy. Moms are also not the only organizers who could use a break. Caregivers of all descriptions as well as managers and team leaders can find themselves in the role of "cruise director," tasked with coming up with activities to engage, teach and/or entertain the masses.
Besides keeping the default activity planner happy, however, there are benefits to any member of a family, team or group learning how to organize a group activity, especially using visuals.
For example, as organizer you:
Planning is not everyone's forte, of course, especially during the summer when you might just want to get up, get out and go. To read about how to minimize tension and conflict around vacation planning, read last summer's blog post "Minimize the Kerfuffle."
When you are ready to take the next step and prompt others to take on activity planning, keep it simple.
Here's how.
Start by asking the classic 5 W's and an H questions — what, who, where, when, why and how? Download and print the free template here to make activity planning ultra simple.
Imagine you are sitting around a campfire dreaming up a future activity. Answer the following questions in the ovals, or craft your own questions. Draw connecting lines from the most applicable of the 5W's and an H or color code them.
Here's how to take it to the next level and engage a group with the process. Keep in mind that the goals are to keep the process as well as the activity as super simple and fun as possible, and to be kind, patient and cooperative toward each other along the planning path.
NOTE: This process is great for planning a single activity. If what you need is to plan a whole event, start with our Event Planning Triage blog and template.