Family Fun Day: 7 Engaging Activities to Deepen Your Bond with Your Kids

Parenting can be exhausting, and sometimes, you forget to stop and enjoy the time with your kids while they’re young. Fortunately, not every activity has to be for kids exclusively. An activity a child and parent can enjoy can be a great relaxation and recreation day. There are tons of activities for all ages and personalities to enjoy. In this guide, you’ll find seven enticing activities for all ages to flex your bonding muscles with your child.

1. Start a Garden

Gardening soothes the soul of any age, and it works for any type of home, even if you don’t have any yard space. If you have a yard, you can select a small planter or section of your yard for a garden; you can even spruce it up with flowerbed edges and decorations! If you lack grass or outdoor space, indoor plants, a small porch planter, or even an indoor window planter box can work nicely.

Select some flowers, plants, herbs, or foods you and your kids might enjoy growing. Follow the instructions listed on the plant or online for the amount of water, sunlight, and other necessities the plant may need to grow. If you grow fruit, vegetables, or herbs, you can even reap the rewards when it’s time to harvest! Make sure you research the plant’s needs before selecting them; not all plants do well indoors.

2. Adopt an Animal

A family pet can be enriching, and it can also teach the value of hard work to kids. Caring for a pet is a full-time job; kids get to play with and interact with an animal as a reward. Dogs and cats are the most common type of family pets. Cats are typically indoor animals that require regular litter box cleaning, feeding, and water as a minimum. Dogs are more hands-on and require additional training, outdoor potty breaks, and playtime.

If you prefer an animal that stays in an enclosure, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, or chinchillas are an excellent option if you have the space for a large enclosure. If you have a large property, you can even get a farm animal such as a horse, goat, or pig—but these animals tend to get quite large and require a lot of time, money, and space.

You may even need to construct a stick-built or pole barn with a wood or metal truss for shelter. Stables are an alternative shelter option as well. Farm animals require a lot of experience and work, so don’t make the decision lightly! Ask your kids for input; for example, getting a tarantula when they’re scared of spiders isn’t ideal for bonding. If you already have a pet, plan a fun day with them!

3. Draw or Paint

Even if your family isn’t artistic, drawing or painting can be a fun, mind-numbing activity to relieve daily stresses and concerns. You can put on an art program and try to follow along, take an art class, or just free doodle anything that comes to mind. For a fun activity idea, you can switch art pieces after a specific time so everyone can collaborate. A trip to the art store can be rewarding, and your kids can select the drawing medium they prefer, from paints to pastels!

4. Write a Song

Songwriting is a unique bonding activity that can be fun and interesting. You don’t even need instruments—just pick a subject and some words that rhyme and try to turn it into a melody. If your family has instruments, you can add some pizzazz to your song by trying different sounds, chords, and tones. A great way to write a song collectively is to host a collaborative environment where all ideas are supported and encouraged.

5. Play a Board Game

With the prevalence of technology, board or card games aren’t as popular anymore with most families. Fortunately, board games are still available for purchase, and there are many different themes and types for all ages. You can teach slightly older kids the ins and outs of Monopoly or Backgammon, or you can play a fun, family-favorite game such as The Game of Life or Clue. Trivial Pursuit can be great for those who love pop culture or history.

6. Have a Picnic

A picnic doesn’t require an extravagant charcuterie board or a long road trip if you’re short on time or finances. You can even have a fun picnic in your backyard. Grab some snacks, drinks, and a blanket to enjoy nature while you and your kids grab a meal. If you have a dog, you can even bring it along—just protect your food!

7. Go for a Nature Walk

You can combine the picnic with this option if you’d like. Find a local walking or hiking trail. If you want to go all out, you can make a road trip out of it and find a famous or distant walking trail to see something new. Identify all the flora and fauna you can find—make a list to learn more about them when you get home. A peaceful nature walk can calm nerves and reduce the stress of daily life for everyone, too. Most nature walks are free, and many can accommodate wheelchairs if needed. Be sure to wear proper shoes as well.

Conclusion

With the stresses of daily life and parenting, it can be easy to forget to enjoy time together. If you need inspiration to stop and smell the roses, consider a fun family activity like a picnic, board game, or arts and crafts. You could also consider adopting a pet or growing a garden to add to the family. All families are unique and prefer different hobbies—choose the one that best fits your lifestyle.

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