Remember back in the good old days, when your idea of fun was going on a long road trip with family and playing I spy? Those times when PlayStation was unheard of and board games were the fair deciders of who’s the ultimate champ? Well, time has changed a lot of things and no, the change is not exclusive to the menu size at Mc Donald’s. Today, all that a holiday means to you is plonking yourself in front of the TV and binge watching an entire season of The Simpsons. Your kids on the other hand don’t move an inch away from their beloved Wii consoles. Have you ever sat back to think how much time your family is spending together? If you’re struggling to think of an answer, you’re clearly not doing much to make family memoriesfor keeps.
Worry not, as these 8 fun activities will help your family bond and have a ball of a time:
1. Movie Night – Movie buffs, y’all? Bond over a fun flick and some hot butter popcorns! Dedicate one day in a week to watching a movie that your family collectively agrees on. Pick a different theme for each week, but always stick to the schedule, so that nobody is allowed to skip it. Choose a day like Monday or Tuesday, which is generally dominated by work or study. After the movie, discuss what each one of you liked or didn’t like about the movie. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see the discussions, involvement and excitement around the Movie Night.
2. Picnic Time – This classic family bonding activity is a hit among people from all walks of life. Right from the preparations of delicious picnic munchies to the discussion of outdoor games to play, there’s a lot of enthusiasm and excitement associated with picnics which make them so much fun!
3. Revisiting Old Times – Take your family on a walk down the memory lane with videos and pictures from the old days. This activity, though simple, is a great way for your family to bond and reminisce about memorable moments spent together. You can also share adventurous stories about your childhood with your kids to help them stay connected to their roots.
4.Fun With Crafts – Get your hands messy with fun crafts that your entire family will love! Whether it’s handmade cards for special occasions or a family collage that you’ve been wanting to create for a long time, crafts are always enjoyed better when done together. As kids are great fans of craft activities, art sessions are an easy way to mingle with your little ones. Draw, paint, cut, color and have a lot of fun together!
5.Potluck With Other Families – Make family time double the fun by planning a potluck with other families. Not only is this activity a great way to strengthen family ties, but it also helps you build your circle. As you adults hold long discussions about everything under the sun, the kids can play and indulge in yummy treats!
6.The Great Gaming Day – Nothing can beat an exciting game of Monopoly or Scrabble. Your kids may be hooked onto their videogames too much to enjoy the thrill a fun board game has to offer, but it’s never too late to introduce them to what you have grown up playing! Set aside a day in the week for your family to play a board game or even an outdoor sport, together. While it will give you all a chance to connect better, it will also help instill the values of sportsmanship and team spirit in your kids!
7.DIY Camp – Camping was never this fun and easy! Surprise your family by setting up a night camp in your backyard. All you need is a few sheets, tent poles, inflatable bed set, a campfire, lots of food and you’re set! Who’d want to shell out a whooping amount and travel those long hours to enjoy a family camp, when you can do it right at your house?
8.Gardening – The garden is not only a place to grow beautiful plants and get peace of mind; it can also be a place to nurture relationships. Especially to teach little kids essential concepts of science and the importance of loving and caring, there’s no better outlet than your garden. Plant a “family tree” which each one of your family members can take turns to water each day, signifying the strength of your family bond.
Author Bio
Aradhana is from India. She is a veteran writer on topics concerning parenting, child nutrition, wellness, health and lifestyle. As a regular contributor to popular sites like natural news, elephant journal, thehealthsite, naturally savvy, curejoy and MomJunction.com, Aradhana writes to inspire and motivate people to adopt healthy habits and live a stress-free lifestyle.