Can dedicating special family time bring families closer together? Playing games, making crafts, watching movies or doing anything else together could result in a closer knit family. Whether it's once a week, once a month, or whenever the time is right, enjoying special time together can be beneficial to all family members.

With so many different things to do families should not have any problem finding fun things that everyone will enjoy. As long as each member is willing to participate and there is room for change or accommodation. Sarah from Illinois says that she, her husband, and two children enjoy playing board games, cards, renting movies, going out to dinner, making crafts, and doing projects. “Once every week, usually Friday evenings, we rent a movie for the family to watch together and discuss. Why it was good, why it was bad, what can be learned from it?” shares Sarah. Sarah says that although her family enjoys this special time it is sometimes canceled to accommodate scheduling or if someone doesn't want to participate. “I have found that if you force someone to participate, they get angry and mad if forced to play and then no one has fun (which defeats the purpose).”

Dawn says that her family enjoys doing a little of everything, but games are the most fun. She says they share special together time because the whole family enjoys doing it and everyone is willing to participate if it is age appropriate. With children ranging in age from 3 years to 12 years sometimes accommodations need to be made. Sometimes we work in “shifts” (do something with the younger kids first, get them ready for bed, then play with the older kids) but sometimes the older kids will be happy to do something much too “young” for them to make the little ones happy, though I think they enjoy it more than they let on.”

Wendy says that she, her husband, and two boys enjoy doing a wide variety of activities like bowling, going out to movies, and out to dinner occasionally. “My kids love it when I cook a special meal of their favorite foods and we all eat together at least once a week,” shares Wendy. They also enjoy playing board games and cards. Wendy says her family really enjoys together time and all are willing to participate. “I love doing whatever I can with my kids…they're getting too big too fast, and soon won't want to do ANY of this stuff with me!”

Variety is important when sharing special family time together. Doing the same thing over and over can get a little boring, try to be creative and come up with different things to do, it could help to keep everyone's attention and interest. Having special dinners at home, eating dinner out at a favorite restaurant, watching movies at home, going out to the theater, playing board games, playing computer games, playing outside games, having a picnic, baking special treats, doing crafts and projects, playing cards, going bowling, and going to the park, museum, zoo, or on a nature hike are just several of the many fun things you can do as a family. Sarah says she and her family try to vary the games they play and sometimes come up with their own. Wendy says that she and her family also enjoying doing different things, “We like to do a wide variety of things together, and my kids are not shy about speaking up if they'd rather do something other than what I've suggested.”

How often you and your family spend time together and how long that time lasts can vary depending on everyone's schedule. Don't try to force it by doing too much, once a week or twice a month may be all you can fit in. Just doing something is important to family togetherness and to help encourage open communication. Any time spent together, as long as it is not forced, can be extremely beneficial in bringing your family closer together. Sarah says they try to have family time once a week but there are times it gets canceled or moved to a different night to accommodate schedules. Having no set time limit allows them to be flexible and enjoy this time at their leisure. “Anytime you devote to doing things together, it will have positive results in bringing you closer together, especially if it is fun and enjoyable for all, rather than something that is forced,” shares Sarah. Dawn and her family try to have together time once a week but if that is not possible they definitely manage twice a month and find it best to not put a time limit on it. “It's our time to be silly, let our hair hang down and have fun. So much of our time is spent “raising” our children, we have to remind ourselves to have fun with them sometimes, too!” shares Dawn.

Playing games, visiting museums and zoos, making crafts and cooking are several fun ways to enjoy together time while developing learning skills. Enjoying a family fun night or sharing special together time strengthens the family bond while encouraging learning and communication.

About the Author
Christina Lewis is a freelance writer and the owner/editor of two websites for kids, Kid's Bookshelf, a children's literature website and Great Sites For Kids, a website review column.

Did you enjoy this article? Rate It! | Tell A Friend