by Rachel Wells
Spending quality time together is one of the greatest gifts families can give one another. Quality family time leads to strong family bonds, and those strong bonds provide a sense of belonging and love for every member of the family.
Other benefits of spending time together as a family include:
- Fewer behavioral problems in kids
- Families that are better able to cope with life’s challenges
- Strengthening your child’s sense of identity
- More happiness in the home
- Builds memories that will be remembered and talked about for years
You don’t need a ton of free hours or a huge budget to bond and spend time together – all it takes is a few great ideas. Here are some simple ways to encourage family bonding in your daily routine.
Create Traditions
Head to a specific pumpkin patch every fall, go strawberry picking together in the spring, run an annual 5K together, or choose a day for a weekly game night. Lean into whatever activities interest your family and try to add a few new experiences as well.
Eat Meals Together
Studies show that eating meals together has positive effects on a child’s physical and mental well-being, while reinforcing communication and strengthening family bonds. Dinners are a great time to do this because it gives everyone a chance to talk about their day, but if sports practice or after school activities make that impossible, aim for weekend breakfasts or lunches instead. Be sure to keep the meal free of distractions (no phones!) and if you need to, lay out conversation starters or a deck of cards on the table to keep the bonding time going.
Do Chores Together
This may not seem like the most fun, but completing chores together makes the tasks go by much quicker, leads to bonding, and it may even make the task a bit more fun. You can plan for a group reward once the task has been completed such as taking a bike ride to get ice cream, which will inevitably create more family bonding time.
Create a Family Mission Statement
A family mission statement reminds everyone what your families core values are. Work on this together and display it in a prominent place – read it, refer to it, and at the end of the day ask “how did you demonstrate {your mission} today?”
Hold Family Meetings
This is great to start when kids are young so it’s well established by the time your kids are older. Go over the monthly or weekly calendar, set goals, talk about upcoming plans, and encourage everyone to share things that they may want support, help, or just a listening ear about.
Support Each Other’s Interests
Go to your child’s sports practices and cheer them on, ask them questions about their favorite musician, or learn a new skill that your child has shown interest in.
Prepare Meals Together
However if timing doesn’t allow, at least work together to plan the week’s menu.
Start a Gratitude Routine
Use car time or meal time to talk about things you are grateful for. The time you choose doesn’t really matter, just remember to do it on a daily basis.
Do a Science Project Together
Science experiments bring out the kid in everyone – so why not do a few together? Experiments are great because they entertain a wide variety of ages, everyone can learn something new (even adults), and it gives everyone a chance to all work together in a positive way.
Exercise Together
Read a Book Series
Once your kids are old enough to read chapter books do a family book study. Aim for meetings every few days or weekly to discuss the story.
Volunteer Together
Complete a DIY Project For Your House
Unplug
Plan a screen free day full of fun activities.
Look at Family Photo Albums
Listen to Music Together
And play games or have a dance party while you do.
Attend Local Festivals and Events
Go on One-on-One Dates
Give everyone a chance to have one-on-one time with each member of the family. Those individual relationship are super important too.
Have a Painting Night
Whether you choose to all paint your own things, or do a challenge of sorts – creative time is calming, bonding, and a great way to start conversation.
Learn Magic Tricks
Pair off family members to learn a new magic trick. Take time to put on a show and let everyone show of their magic trick to the rest of the family.
Remember it’s okay to keep things simple. Choose family activities that work for your family, and start by just scheduling one or two within the month. The effort you put in will lead to huge rewards.
