Finding quality time to spend together as a family can be tough, especially now that school is back in full swing. With busy work schedules, homework, and extracurricular activities filling our days, it’s easy for genuine moments of connection to slip through the cracks. However, if you want to be a better parent, making the effort to connect with your family should be a top priority. Research consistently shows that family bonding through shared activities has significant benefits for both children and adults. These activities can strengthen familial attachment, promote emotional well-being, and reduce stress, all of which are key elements of better parenting.
For those striving to nurture closer relationships and build lasting memories, finding fun activities to do at home can be a game-changer. At-home activities provide a convenient and cost-effective way to engage with your children while encouraging creativity, teamwork, and mutual enjoyment. Scheduling these activities regularly can help you become a better parent by showing your children that you prioritize spending time with them.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 20 at-home activities that promise fun and foster togetherness; simple yet effective ways to create meaningful memories with your family. Dive into these suggestions and discover new ways to connect with your kids every day.
Activities
1. Recreate a scene from your favorite movie or book: Together, decide what you’d like to reenact, then assign everyone a role. If you want to get fancy, add costumes, props, and background music. You can even record your dramatics so you can enjoy them later on.
2. Ride bikes together: Grab your bikes (or scooters, or skateboards, or rollerblades, etc.) and helmets, and go for a ride around the neighborhood or a local park. It’s a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors as a family.
3. Throw a dance party: Create a playlist with everyone’s favorite dance songs, and get groovin’! You can have a theme, incorporate costumes, use flashing lights, and even make it a competition with a dance battle or freeze dance.
4. Hunt for treasure: This can be as simple or as complex as you’d like. Hide an old favorite toy, or buy something new to surprise the kids, and then draw a map or lay out a path for them to follow. Or have them hide something for you to find! Stay indoors, or get really creative and bury something in the backyard. The point is to think outside the box and have fun.
5. Play a sport: Choose a sport that everyone enjoys, like soccer, basketball, or even frisbee. You can play in your backyard, a nearby park, or even set up a mini version indoors if space allows.
6. Try out a new recipe: Get on TikTok or Pinterest and find a recipe that looks yummy. Then put on your chef’s hats and make it together. If you have picky kids? Try getting them involved in making the food! When they have invested time and had fun in the process, they might be more willing to give something new a try.
7. Play board games: Bring out your favorite board games and enjoy some friendly competition. Choose games that cater to all ages, or try a new one you haven’t played before.
8. Camp out: If you have a tent, set it up in your backyard or in your living room and have a family campout. Feel free to turn off electronics, add s’mores, and tell spooky stories!
9. Do a science experiment: There are a lot of fun and safe experiments you can put together at home with things you likely already have in your pantry. Don’t be afraid to make a little mess and learn together.
10. Have a movie night: Turn your living room into a movie theater and choose an old classic to share with your family, or find something new for you to experience together. Make sure you have popcorn! After the movie is finished, ask open-ended questions to learn what everyone thought about what you watched.
11. Create a family scrapbook: Gather old photos, ticket stubs, and other memorabilia, and spend time putting together a scrapbook that chronicles your family’s adventures and memories.
12. Host a family Olympics: Create different events (like obstacle courses, races, or even silly “Minute to Win It” challenges) and compete against each other for fun prizes. You can make medals out of household items or award points for each event.
13. Put on a Puppet Show: Make your own puppets using paper bags, or even old socks, and create a storyline together. Set up a “stage” using a table or a couch, and put on a puppet show for the whole family. You can have fun improvising, or you could even recreate a favorite story or scene. It’s a great way to spark creativity and have some laughs together.
14. Build something: Use blocks, Legos, or other building materials to create a structure together. Challenge yourselves to build something intricate, like a castle, spaceship, or even a miniature city.
15. Pretend you own a fancy restaurant: Transform your dining room into a high-end restaurant with a name, menu, and assigned roles—chef, waiter, and guests. Dress up, set the table with your finest dishes, and serve a meal with style. Add ambiance with candles and background music, and enjoy a playful evening of fine dining at home. (Incorporate this activity with #6 for a double-whammy!)
16. Hold a family talent show: Let everyone showcase their hidden talents, whether it’s singing, dancing, magic tricks, or something else. You can even create a stage and have a panel of judges.
17. Indulge in a spa day: Create a relaxing spa atmosphere at home with homemade facials, manicures, and pedicures. Light some candles, play soothing music, and enjoy some self-care together.
18. Paint portraits: This is a great activity for all ages and talent levels. Pair up or sit in a circle and draw the person opposite you. Gift each other your finished works of art.
19. Construct a DIY Photo Booth: Create a photo booth in your living room using a simple backdrop and fun props. Take turns striking silly poses or reenacting famous scenes, and capture the moments with your phone or camera. You can even make it a themed photo shoot, like a beach day or superhero party.
20. Plant a mini garden: Start a small indoor or outdoor garden with herbs, flowers, or vegetables. Involve everyone in planting, watering, and taking care of the plants, and watch them grow together.
A fundamental goal of better parenting is to bring families closer together through shared experiences and joy. By engaging in at-home activities, parents can provide a fun environment that also fosters values such as cooperation, creativity, and perseverance in their children. Remember, better parenting isn’t about the perfection of the activity itself, but about the laughter, conversation, and connection that happens along the way. So, take these ideas, make them your own, and enjoy the journey of becoming a better parent by building a stronger, more connected family, one fun activity at a time.