Quality time with kids: Read together, go outdoors to create stronger family connections

In a world filled with technology, there’s no substitute to one-on-one connection with your children. Your kids are no doubt surrounded by technology nowadays, and so are you. Spending quality time with them will strengthen your family bond and give way to deeper, more meaningful connections.

Just taking a walk with them outdoor, playing with them, reading to them, or eating together are important things you can do to encourage positive family connections.

Here are practical and meaningful ways to make the most of your time with your children.

• Have regular family meals

A simple thing as sitting down together to enjoy a meal can have huge repercussions on improving communication and the emotional health of your family, as highlighted also by the Harvard School of Public Health. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends them for better academic and emotional outcomes in children.

So sit down to dinner with your children, encourage them to share about their day and actively listen.

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• Engage in outdoor activities

Spending time outdoors together as a family can strengthen your bonds, while also creative memories, says the National Recreation and Park Association. Spending time in nature also reduces stress for parents and children alike, as highlighted by the American Psychological Association.

Use weekends or holidays to explore nature with your kids, including activities like hiking, cycling, or picnics that will encourage physical fitness and shared experiences.

• Read together

Reading aloud to your children helps strengthen your bond with them, according to Scholastic. Reading together can also boost language development. Dedicate time to read books together, regardless of your child’s age. Choose stories that their spark imagination, or let older kids pick books they love.

• Create a family routine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that routines are important for encouraging positive family connections. Routines also give children emotional security, a sense of stability and something to look forward to.

Set aside specific times for family activities, such as game nights or movie nights.

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• Do creative projects together

Creative activities are a great way to strengthen your child’s emotional expression. Shared hobbies strengthen parent-child relationships, according to Psychology Today.

Do activities like painting, crafting, or cooking together to encourage creativity and teamwork. Let your child take the lead in planning or designing the project. This will give them a sense of independence.

• Play with your kids

The good-old playing with them works best for children of practically all ages. The American Academy of Pediatrics says play helps children develop problem-solving and social skills, while the Harvard Graduate School of Education emphasizes the role of play in strengthening family bonds.

Play with your children as much as possible, whether it is board games, puzzles, or sports. Let them teach you a game they love or invent new ones together.

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• Focus on one-on-one time

Individual attention to children leads to better emotional health while also building trust. If you have more than one child, make sure to spend time with each child to make them feel valued and heard. Use this time for meaningful conversations or activities they love.

• Volunteer as a family

As the world become increasingly self-centred, your child will benefit from shared volunteering experiences. It builds their character, according to Points of Light and makes them think about other people.

Choose a cause your family is passionate about and participate together. Activities like community clean-ups or charity drives also teach empathy and teamwork.

• Unplug from technology

And finally, set aside time for tech-free activities to focus entirely on your kids. The American Psychological Association links tech-free time to better communication within families. Talk, play, or simply enjoy each other’s company without distractions.