Need ideas for some fun activities to do as a family to strengthen your bonds?
We live in a world where the family is constantly under attack. There are soo many things in our world (and not all of which are even bad per se) that can so easily draw us apart to the point we are just individuals living together in the same house. I don’t have to tell you that this is not a good thing. We are born into families for a reason. When a family is close they can be a great strength and support to each other. It’s this Strength and support that help us through the hard times that come our way. This is why we need to take the time and exert the effort to do things that bring our families together.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a big arduous task to bring your family closer together. Really it just takes some time and a bit of effort. It takes wanting to be close. Here are 6 of my favorite activities that build closer and stronger family bonds.
1.Eat Dinner as a Family
It is not always easy with busy schedules to plan and execute family dinners, but honestly, this is one of the most important things you can do to bring your family together and strengthen your relationships.
There are a lot of studies that show the amazing effects of having regular family dinners together. Some of the benefits found have been lower rates of teen pregnancy, higher grade point averages, lower rates of substance abuse and depression etc. You can learn more benefits about regular family dinners over at TheFamilyDinnerProject.org
2.Have Family Game Nights
This is personally a favorite of mine. My husband and I do regular game night dates and we have long enjoyed game nights with friends. We do game nights with our kids as well. While my kids are currently young and our family game nights revolve around games like Candyland, Bingo and Chutes and Ladders we still have lots of fun together. I look forward to my children getting older and being able to play some of my husband’s and my favorite games with them (like Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Exploding Kittens, and Agricola, Carcassonne etc) and finding new family favorites.
3. Read Together
Growing up some of my favorite memories were of reading with my family (or being read to by my parents). We all took times reading during our daily family scripture study and at nights we would listen to my mother read the classics to us. To this day one of my favorite books is Freckles by Gene Stratton Porter. Every time I think of that beloved book I remember my mother’s voice reading it aloud to me. It was from those times reading together with my family that I came to have a great appreciation of the word of God, as well as a love of good books. I now experience the joy of reading to my own children. I can’t tell you how wonderful the feeling of having my children snuggle up to me while I read aloud to them. Afterwards, we always feel closer for having spent that time together.
4.Play Together
They say the family that plays together, stays together and I really believe this. In addition to playing games, an easy way to play together is to go to the park. Whether you are playing on the playground equipment, throwing a frisbee, or making gigantic Bubbles (get the recipe here) the key to a successful family park outing is everyone participating. Try putting away your phones and instead focus on having fun with each other. We love to go and find new parks to take our kids to switch things up. I have found that going to the park can help when you have had long stressful days.
5.Serve Together
There are so many different ways you can serve others in need as a family. These service projects don’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Sometimes simple service activities can have the biggest impact on your kids and those they serve. One of our favorite service activities as a family has been making care-packages for the homeless in our community at Christmas Time. Even better when you serve together the spirit of service and love for others surround your family. If you want ideas for some fun ways you can serve as a family, check out my post about How to Raise a Service Oriented Family.
6.Go on Regular Family Vacations (and Staycations)
While some may view Family Vacations as a rare luxury, other view it as a practical necessity. Why do some feel that vacations are so powerful? Well, when you are on a vacation or staycation, you get to leave the world and all its stresses behind. It’s a time to relax and experience memorable moments together. Also, vacations and staycations are super fun! Well worth it.
A favorite family destination for many is Disneyland. This vacation can get expensive. my favorite place to get the best-priced tickets and vacations packages is Get Away Today. Seriously their deals can’t be beaten. Save even more when booking your So Cal. Vacation by using my promo code: TheQG
For other destination ideas for family, vacations check out the Travel tab in my menu. I will be adding a lot more reviews and recommendations there over the coming months.
Again there are many other things you can do to strengthen your family these are just a few of my favorite. You know what will work best for your family. Perhaps it is watching a football game together or helping your kids with their homework or even taking care of your family stewardships together (have you ever heard of family work?) The key is to find something or a few somethings that work best with your family then take the time to do them.
What are your favorite things to do as a family to come closer together?
If you liked this post, then check out these: (Click on the photos to go to the posts)
