by Robin Roenker
When rushing between work, school and extracurricular activities, it can feel like whole weeks fly by without a chance to spend quality time with your kids. Sometimes all it takes to connect with your kids is a little planning to turn a rare weekend or evening downtime into special family together time. Here are a few tips for making the most of your next family activity.
Do consider everyone's interests when selecting an activity. Finding an activity that's fun for all of your kids can be challenging — especially if they're years apart in age — but it's doable with a little creative planning. Activities can be as simple as a family game night where you break out a favorite game (you can let the youngest kids be assistants on the parents' teams) or more elaborate, like a family “field trip” to a nearby museum or park. Let children play a role in selecting the activity. If there's disagreement, have them take turns picking the activity; they'll learn the value of compromise.
Do let children help prep for the activity. For kids, planning an activity can be as fun as the activity itself. Build up excitement for your next family activity — whether it's a simple afternoon of arts and crafts at the kitchen table or an annual camping getaway — by allowing kids to take an active role in shopping for and gathering all the materials you need. For example, if you're planning a cookie-baking day, let your kids pick out the ingredients and decorations. (They'll be even more excited to make star-shaped sugar cookies if they get to use the pink and purple sprinkles they chose!)
Don't be too beholden to rules or a plan. Sometimes, you have the most fun when you just go with the flow. Maybe you'd planned to spend the afternoon picnicking at a nearby state park, but your kids beg to stop at a roadside fair you see on the way. Be flexible — allow creative and spontaneous shifts in plans if unexpected opportunities come along. Sometimes it's not as much about following a particular plan as just spending quality time together.
Do let the kids be in charge. You get to be the parent and call the shots the rest of the time, so every once in a while let family together time be a “kids take charge” time. Have your school-aged children lead the family in the game or activity for the day. They'll enjoy getting to lead mom and dad around for a change.
Do let your kids include friends in the activity. Encourage your kids to invite friends to join you if you have an especially fun or unique family activity planned, but don't let your older kids and their friends gang up on the younger ones. Make sure you encourage fair play and teamwork among all the kids. A great way to do this is to team kids against parents. Nothing gets kids of all ages working together like the prospect of beating mom or dad (or a friend's mom or dad) in a game of, well, anything.
Take a break from your hectic schedule and plan a family activity or playdate. It doesn't have to be costly or elaborate. Just a few hours set aside without any meetings or commitments elsewhere getting in the way of bonding with your family. Your kids will thank you for it.
Freelance writer Robin Roenker is a mother of three young boys.
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