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In these fast-paced times when work, school and kids’ activities take up most of a family’s waking hours, it’s good to set an evening aside once or twice a month at home to unplug and unwind together. By hosting a family night, you can reconnect with your loved ones through good food, exciting games and a whole lot of fun.
Setting Time Aside
Even if it means missing a hockey practice or a night out with the girls, you can arrange a family night without disrupting too many schedules. Being together as a family is just as important for Mom and Dad as it is for the kids and should be made a priority.
Being together helps build the bonds of a family relationship when most precious moments seem to be fleeting. Your scheduled family time should be put in everyone’s calendars. Don’t accept any excuses if someone says they can’t attend!
Planning a Hearty Meal and Snacks
You can’t have fun and reconnect on an empty stomach. Together with your family, plan a hearty meal that everyone will love, like an easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe from Kraft. Make sure to include at least one or two healthy sides such as salad, fruit or raw vegetables.
As for snacks, this is where you can have fun with the planning. You can choose snacks that everyone can make together and eat such as s’mores, Rice Krispy treats, popcorn, snack mix or brownies. Bake some sugar cookies or cupcakes ahead of time and have fun decorating them with festive themes.
Games and Activities
The main focus of any family night activity is to communicate and connect with one another without any distractions. So unplug the phones, iPods and tablets. Make your family night a device-free zone even for just a few hours and have some good old-fashioned fun.
Planning on staying home? Pull out a few board games or playing cards and enjoy some friendly competition. Other at-home activity ideas include playing charades, themed movie night, karaoke, star gazing or backyard camping.
If you are thinking of going elsewhere for some family night activities, consider trying miniature golf, visiting a local amusement park, bowling, roller skating, watching a performance at a local playhouse or just taking a walk together at a local park. No need to break the bank by selecting activities that cost an arm and a leg.
Make Family Night a Regular Event
Just as if you would schedule a doctor’s appointment or baseball practice, you should also make a regular date for family night. Even if it’s only once a month, the family should still make the effort to get together. Children particularly will gain a sense of security and rely on these types of events to strengthen their family bonds.
Jennifer Thayer is a technology writer from Southern California who loves finding ways technology can make life easier. She enjoys sharing her tips and tricks with readers. Follow her on Twitter.