6 Ways to Create Quality Family Time

Quality family time is priceless. It is an opportunity to emotionally bond with each other, it supports a child’s social skills and creates fun and lasting memories. When you first become a parent, you may imagine a lot of family time experiences, from playing board games to going on vacations together. However, family time sometimes takes a backseat to other responsibilities like appointments, work, sports, chores, and homework. A child’s time with friends can also feel like it’s competing with family time, especially as a child gets older. What are ways you can improve your chances of having consistent quality family time?

1. Schedule family time - block off family time on your calendar like it is a reoccurring appointment with a  reminder alert. 

2. Family Fun - Make sure family time activities are ones you all enjoy (more on this later).

3. Let your children help - During family meetings, involve your child or children in planning the family activity.

4. Talk about family time in conversations leading up to it. This creates a sense of importance and anticipation. For example, “I am looking forward to going to the movies  together on Friday.” Or “Do you have a new strategy for winning in Monopoly this  time?” 

Once you find a way to create space in your schedules for family time, making it quality time is the next thing to consider. What do you and your children want out of this family time? For many families, it is just a way to have fun together. Who doesn’t want family fun and family games!? But family time can also be an opportunity to learn something new, improve mental and emotional well-being, and help reinforce family values (Reference). Here are some tips for creating quality family time:

1. Try something new. This could be a new sport or hobby, a new board game, traveling to a new location, eating at a new restaurant, or cooking a new recipe. Check out our FREE printable list of fun family activities on a budget. 

2. Create traditions or routines by repeating activities you all love. 

3. At the beginning of family time, you can each share a new story, joke, or something you are grateful for or appreciate about each family member. 

4. Take a photo during family time and create a photo album that you can all enjoy.

5. Minimize using electronic devices to help stay present. A good rule may be no electronic devices during family time (except for the photo, of course).

6. Eliminate distracting or stressful topics that may take away from the fun experience.  Topics to avoid are chores, previous arguments, work, and school. Check out our FREE printable conversation starters. 

Most importantly, be realistic. Like most things related to parenting, family time requires your time, your energy, and in many situations, your money. So really think about what you can give without feeling resentful or overwhelmed. Questions to ask yourself when  considering family time include: 

1. What is your budget for family time activities for the year? Month? Week?

2. How frequently can you do family time?  

3. How long do you want a family time activity to last?  

4. What are activities that both you and your kids will enjoy? (Your enjoyment is important too.) 

5. What have you liked and not liked about previous family time activities? And what would you like to change? (Be willing to adjust family time to meet your family’s needs.) 

Family time can be a great source of joy as a parent, especially with a little bit of forethought. But remember: sometimes things out of your control can turn a family activity into a stressful and unenjoyable situation. There is always a small risk of injury, tantrums,  arguments, and schedule conflicts. Regardless of the hiccups that come up, keep trying again and again. The opportunity to bond with each other and create fun memories is worth the risks. Lastly, when your child witnesses this sense of resilience, it helps to instill that value within them.