Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic.
Last week, my wife and I spent our entire Saturday at my mother-in-law’s home for her birthday. We loved every minute of it, and I even got to see some of the family’s old photos! There were a ton of pictures of birthdays, Christmases, and Thanksgivings, but even more of just regular nights of them together as a family. My mother-in-law said they really enjoyed having “family nights” as often as possible doing fun and quirky activities. She says she misses them and hopes that Jackie and I do the same for our kids when they get a little older.
It seems as if the fun and exciting family nights of old are not as popular as they used to be. It’s actually easy to see why. With work, homework, hours spent on the Internet and social media, and everything else in between, it’s not surprising to see why families don’t make the time to sit down together. However, spending quality time as a family unit really is in your best interest. It establishes a sense of belonging in your kids, promotes communication, and lifts everyone’s mood!
If you and your loved ones would like a change of pace and want to delve into something different that still brings you all together, then our licensed psychologists and mental health counselors in Tampa want to help you out!
A Night for Learning
If you have kids that are three to eight years of age, their minds are ripe and ready for learning. Your family nights can consist of reading stories or books that activate their imaginations, or you can play games that encourage them to use math or spelling skills.
If your stories take place in different parts of the world, help your kids find the country on a map. Discuss things like what can be found in that specific nation, its people, and what it would be like to live there. You could even turn the night into a trivia game where your family can take turns guessing the animals that live there or the customs of its natives.
Cooking Up Something Good
If your kids are a bit older, a night of cooking can serve just the right amount of adventure. Split your family into two teams and provide both with a basket of ingredients. Assign each team a meal course, set a timer for 30 minutes, and race to a delicious finish!
Once the challenge is complete, your family can judge each dish based on how it looks, tastes, and if the rules were followed. This activity will teach your kids to work together and overcome obstacles while having loads of fun.
Build Something
A small DIY project is the perfect way to spend some quality time with your family. You can gather your troops to brainstorm a specific project to tackle. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be a huge or complicated project. You can put together some picture frames or decorations for the mantel in your living room! Brainstorm what you all will make, have everyone gather the supplies you’ll need, and set the building process in motion.
Here for You in Tampa
If the hardest part of organizing a family night for you is the gathering of ideas for a fun time at home with the kids, then know that there is no shortage of things to do. All you need is a small push in the right direction. We’re here to talk and help you strengthen your bonds. Contact us in Tampa today to get started.
