There are many bonding activities that you can do as a family to build rapport and improve mental health. You and your spouse can reignite the fun you had during the early years of your relationship. Your kids will get to know you outside from the authority they recognise in you. More importantly, you will get to know your child better. What are they afraid of? What are they good at? Are they impatient? Do they have control over their emotions?
DIY Kits
Choose DIY activities that will help improve your home. Ever assembled a door jamb set? If you notice that the frame around a bedroom door has been damaged because of age and other factors, you can pick up a door jamb kit from your local hardware or home improvement store and bond over it. There are other things that you can build using a DIY kit. You can build a shoe cabinet, a bookshelf, or even a collapsible dining table.
Movie Night
There’s nothing like a great movie and a bowl of popcorn to bond with the family. Choose a movie that everyone will love. How about a horror movie or a thriller? That way, you can all cuddle together under the comforter and scare each other. During the winter season, you can even serve hot cocoa with loads of mini marshmallows on top.
Volunteering
Find a charitable institution near your home. This is a great way to spend your time as a family. Not only will you bond better, but your kids will also learn a lot from the project. Do you want your kids to grow up emphatic and considerate? Teach them to share their blessings this early in their lives, and they will grow up to be responsible and caring members of society.
Cook Together
Whip up a fabulous dinner—from appetisers to desserts—as a family. Nothing fancy, of course, if it involves little kids. You can make mac and cheese, chocolate chip biscuits, and fried chicken. Since families bond over food the most, making it together will even be more satisfying for everyone. Be sure to let the kids whip the batter or shape the biscuits. Find something safe that they can do in the kitchen.
Play Board Games
Pictionary, Monopoly, and Snakes and Ladders are great board games that everyone in the family will love. From your teenager to your toddler, they will appreciate you trying to make it fun for everyone. Of course, serve some chicken fingers while you’re at it. Everyone loves games and food together.
Go to Picnics
Ask everyone to list down the food they want to take to a traditional picnic and make or buy it for them. Put everything in a picnic basket and head over to your favourite park or beach (if it’s summer).
Bonding with the family doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t need to spend on airline tickets and hotel accommodations. It can be as simple as having dinner together and not checking your phone every few seconds. The bond of a family is a collective effort. Teach your children the importance of family so that they will make an effort to build their relationships with you and their siblings.