The Gen XY Lifestyle

5 Ideas on Spending Quality Time With Your Children

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One of the most difficult aspects of parenting is balancing family time with outside commitments and activities, especially as your children get older.

You want to spend time as a family so that you can build relationships, but it can be difficult to carve out family time with all of your work commitments and your children’s activities.

If your nightly refrain is how tired you and the kids are, your family may be having difficulty juggling work, school, and everyone’s activities.

Why is it important to spend quality time with your children?

According to research, it is critical to schedule regular family time with your children. Spending quality time with your children does not have to be a difficult task; it can be as simple as setting aside a few minutes each day to spend together without distractions.

So, why is spending quality time with our children so important?

Children are less likely to have behavioral issues at home or school, according to Jones. Children who spend more time with their families are less likely to engage in risky behaviors like drug and alcohol use. Making it a point to show your children that you love and care for them will help them to stay mentally and emotionally strong.

Physical health is more likely in children who spend more time with their families. Overall, spending quality time with your children is important not only for them but also for your own well-being.

Here are 5 ideas for managing your family’s schedule while making time for your kids.

Ideas for making quality time

Have A Back Yard Camp Out

A special weekend retreat does not require you to take weeks off from work or travel far and wide. Unplug. Set up the tent at a camping area along East Coast or Changi Beach (remember to book a spot first). Stargaze, roast marshmallows, and tell stories. Above all, make memories! 

Cook or bake together

Baking with children not only creates wonderful memories but also teaches them many skills and helps them overcome their perfectionist tendencies.

The cool thing about letting them cook or bake with you is that you are the one who teaches them these skills, which is always something to be proud of.

Baking can be difficult to fit into busy schedules, but you can make it a special family affair or add it to your list of quality time activities. Encouraging healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping will contribute to positive physical and mental health.

Movie night with the family

Making plans for a special family movie night can help you become a stronger family! It is more than just sitting around watching television. Because children enjoy a themed party, you can make this a family tradition and choose a theme for each night you’ll be watching a movie. You can include some entertaining printable popcorn boxes, themed decorations, food, disposable dinnerware set that matches the theme, matching pajamas, etc.

Snuggle up on the couch, dim the lights, and enjoy a special new movie. Perhaps you could take turns choosing which one? Part of what makes it special is the planning, so talk about it ahead of time and maybe take a picture to remember the fun!

Make rainy days memorable

It’s not often that events are rained out, but when it does happen, make the most of the unexpected time together. Plan rainy-day activities, such as building a snowman, spending the day in PJs eating snacks and binge-watching your favorite shows, baking cookies, making indoor s’mores, or putting together a puzzle. The main thing is that you spend time with the children and have fun.

Game night with the family

quality time

Family games teach so many valuable lessons, bring out the best smiles, and bring family members closer together.

Learn how to play video games if you have them at home! It’s wonderful for children to see their parents doing something they enjoy on their electronic devices. It also does not have to be video games. Play board games and build legos or magnet tiles together.

Don’t forget about imagination games; getting back to basics to play with your toddler can be amazing for creating connections during this limited time when the kids are small.

Relationships are forever

The relationships you form with your children before they leave the nest can last a lifetime. However, spending consistent quality time together is the key to developing those bonds. Whether you’re playing, cooking, or camping, the important thing is that you’re bonding with one another through positive experiences.


Article contributed by Inna Atwood and edited by the Active Age. Inna works as a fitness coach & a part-time content writer. She loves reading and travelling. She is young and ambitious and does hope to share her knowledge and experience with anyone willing to learn something new.

Photo by James Besser and National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

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