Finding quality time activities with the family can be challenging. Especially when you are juggling work, social commitments, and digital distractions. Yet, deep down, you’d always crave for the moment where you feel connected with your family and the warmth they make you feel.
Yes, life is busy and sometimes family time takes a backseat and maybe there are times you don’t even remember to nourish the relationship until you miss them. However, you have to remember that bonding with your family can enrich your well-being.
Here are 7 ways that you can level up family time:
1. Cook International Meals Together
Once a month, choose a country and cook a traditional meal from that region. This activity involves everyone, from planning the menu and shopping for ingredients to cooking and tasting new dishes. It’s a delightful way to explore different cultures and cuisines together.
Additionally, you can assign roles to each family member, such as chef, sous-chef, and taste tester. This would be fun for everyone to get involved in. It’s like traveling but with food.
2. Create A Family Garden
Gardening together can be therapeutic and rewarding. Choose a spot in your backyard or even start a small indoor herb garden. Involve everyone in planting, watering, and caring for the plants.
Soon, you’ll be able to harvest the fruits, vegetables, or herbs you’ve grown together and it would be incredibly satisfying. Plus, it’s a sustainable way to supplement your meals and teach children about where food comes from.
3. Plan Themed Family Game Nights
Take game night to the next level by introducing themes. Dress up as characters from your favorite movies or TV shows, and play games that match the theme.
For example, a Harry Potter night could include trivia, wand-making crafts, and themed snacks. This adds an extra layer of fun and excitement, making game nights more memorable.
Themes can range from superheroes and fairy tales to historical eras and space adventures.
4. Have a Digital Detox Weekend
Dedicate one weekend a month to unplugging from all digital devices. Spend this time playing board games, going for hikes, cooking meals together, or simply talking.
This one weekend can also help everyone unwind without getting anxious with phone notifications. Use this time to connect with your family and get to bond with them with phones on your nose.
5. Volunteer Together
Choose a cause that your family feels passionate about and volunteer your time together. This could be helping out at a feeding program, cleaning up a park, or visiting a nursing home.
If old people remind your family of your grandparents, then you can volunteer in a nursing home. If your family experienced hunger before and want to give back to the community, you might consider volunteering for feeding programs. Whatever cause it is your family chooses, it would warm your hearts to have volunteered together.
6. Create Family Traditions
Establish unique traditions that are special to your family. This could be as simple as Sunday pancake breakfasts, annual camping trips, or holiday-specific rituals like making ornaments together.
These traditions become cherished memories and give everyone something to look forward to. This also creates the identity of a family, an identity that you’d always look back to remember.
7. Take Up a New Sport or Hobby Together
Choose a sport or hobby that everyone is interested in and learn it together. This could be anything from playing tennis, hiking, or learning to play musical instruments.
Everyone is involved and having fun. You can even use this new learning to bond whenever and you’d likely reminisce about the times you were still trying to learn it and laugh at the memory.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is important to also learn to set aside time for family where you can relax and laugh. This isn’t about fleeting moments but a memory that is sure to last you a lifetime. Here’s to making every family moment count—today and for years to come.
