Having Fun With Your Children

Many families today find it a challenge to meet all of their responsibilities and still find time to have fun with their children. Busy schedules, increasing responsibilities at home and work and other pressures can be a barrier to families spending time together. One of the qualities identified through research as a family strength is time together. It was found that when families spend time together they have a sense of belonging. Time together can include family meals, household chores, special outings or events and even routine activities.

Other family strengths identified were open communication, listening, play and humor, table time conversation, shared leisure time and celebrating family traditions. Families can build on these strengths as they find ways to spend time together. You might start by thinking about the ways you and your family spend time together. Are you spending time doing things that are fun or simply carrying out the daily routine? Are there ways you can put fun and pleasure into every day?

Look for ways to include what each family member likes to do. We all like different things and may each define fun differently. Set aside time for your family to get together to talk and discuss ideas and schedules. Perhaps this would be a good topic for a family meeting, a time when everyone can share ideas, likes and interests. Be sure to consider the ages of your children and plan activities that are fun for all. Make sure each family member has a voice in the activities the family chooses. You may want to let each family member have a turn selecting the activity. There may also be times when family members will participate in family activities according to their interests, while everyone may not participate in all activities.

Family Fun Ideas

• Spend time with your children making a family book. Children of all ages love to hear stories about themselves and other family members. Talk about their favorite memories. Make a cover for your book and write the family name on the front. For future pages, give your children a special place to put items they want to include in the book so things will not be lost between work sessions. You might include art work, special writings or school papers, clippings, programs from special events, brochures, an autograph page, a family tree and photographs. Have fun getting to know each other and preserving your family history!
• Read with your child for at least 30 minutes today.
• Have your child tell you a favorite story.
• Cook dinner with your child and let him help plan the meal.
• Visit an elderly friend or family member with your child.
• Talk about the special holidays this month or season. Plan a new or different way to celebrate the holiday.
• Play "I’m thinking of someone you know ..." Give your child one clue at a time about the person until he guesses who it is. You might include pets, too!
• Make a time capsule with your child and save it for a year or two.
• Look for community service activities that can include your child.
• Keep track of the weather each day for a week or month. Use symbols such as S for sunshine, C for clouds and R for rain. Record the weather on a calendar.
• Have your child be a pet detective and observe an animal.
• Play your child’s favorite game or activity.
• Make every day a special day for you and your family. Remember to include some "fun" whenever possible, even on routine days.