Don’t let another summer fly by without taking advantage of family bonding time. Here’s the thing, these summers will be over and gone before you know it. Your kids are growing up fast, and if you don’t schedule the time to bond with them now, you could be left with regret. Therefore, below are some summertime family bonding ideas you may want to add to your calendar now.
Why add it to the calendar you ask? Because in our busy lives, it’s easy to let good intentions fall to the backburner. However, when we physically place things on the calendar, we’re that much more likely to actually go through with our plans. Without further ado, you’ll want to schedule these plans right away:
Eat nightly meals together – or at least every other night
I get it. The week gets hectic, and the idea of sitting down to a meal together can be difficult. Still, try to plan a few meals each week for family dinners anyway. If it has to be takeout, so be it! The point is that it’s important to sit together and catch up, even if it’s only long enough to clean your plate.
P.S. Phones down, and TVs off. That goes for you too mom and dad!
Bring your kids with you to run errands
They may grunt and groan about not wanting to wander around Home Depot or Target with you, but bring them anyway. Simple moments like this can be used for communication, connecting, and getting to know each other again. Who knows? You may figure out you actually like each other!
Go swimming together or go for a hike
Combining physical fitness with family bonding? Sounds like a match made in heaven to me. To add to the fun, be sure to bring along games and activities to do in order to make it an even more memorable experience.
Simply explore your city like a tourist
It’s interesting but true – many people never really see the ins and outs of the places they live. Why not load your kids in the car, and just explore your town as if you were on vacation? You could even create a scavenger hunt for the day to add to the adventure.
Play board games, or even video games
Bonus points if you work together to beat the game, rather than competing against one another. Either way activities that require strategic planning and problem solving are a great way to bond together.
More Summertime Family Bonding Ideas
Want even more ideas for bonding with your family this summer? Here’s a list of several activities that you may enjoy:
- A day at the zoo
- Go on a picnic
- Head to the drive in to watch a movie old school
- Have a squirt gun or water balloon fight
- Play mini golf
- Get some canvas and paint, and play artist for the day
- Grab your cameras or phones to act like photographers – then make a collage of your best shots
- Go camping in the backyard, or build a blanket fort inside
- Host a sleepover movie night for the entire family complete with air mattresses and fun snacks
- Make your own pizza one night – friendly cook-off competition anyone?
- Visit your local aquarium
- Volunteer or do community service
- Go for a bike ride
Bottom line, just hang out and do something fun together. Sit down with a piece of paper and brainstorm some summertime family bonding ideas of your own. There’s no telling what you’ll come up with.
May you and your family get closer than ever while school’s out! Remember, it’s not the activities themselves that matter, it’s what you bring to the experience that makes it memorable.