5 easy ways to spend quality time with your kids

[AD] Spending quality time with your kids is something many of us want to make time for, but we may be unsure where to start.

Knowing how to do this, and having ideas on what to do with the quality time we have with them, is a great starting point.

Here are 5 easy ways to spend quality time with your kids, and if you’re looking for even more ideas, here are 10 things you can do with kids, so you don’t waste a minute of the time you have with them.

Cook together

Kids love helping in the kitchen, so cooking with your kids is a great way to spend some quality time with them.

Getting your kids to help with cooking is also something that can help if you have fussy eaters, as your fussy eater may be more inclined to try what they’ve helped make.

Cooking with your kids, and especially preparing meals fussy eaters will enjoy, provides the opportunity to use your usual ingredients to make something new.

For example, you could make Chicken Tetrazzini for dinner by turning your usual ingredients into something more delicious and fun for your kids.

Be present

Another way to help you spend more quality time with your children is by being present with them.

When you’re spending quality time with your kids, you have to be engaged in the present moment, which means no phones, no laptops, and no screens.

Being fully present creates an environment where it’s safe to share anything, and it’s when deeper connections will happen.

Block off specific times

Blocking off quality time with your kids could mean blocking off part of each day, part of each week, or time blocking another chunk of time that works for your family, to do something together.

There are many activities for kids that you can do together, whether it’s playing a board game for an hour on Friday nights, going on a hike for a couple of hours together on a Sunday, or having dinner together every night.

Doing things together as a family bonds you together over time, and when your kids know that family time will happen, they become excited, and learn that they’re loved.

Embrace spontaneity

While structured family time is great, there is something to be said about spontaneous moments of connection and joy.

Some ideas on how to be more spontaneous include:

• Taking a road trip as a family
• Surprising your kids with a random dance party before dinner
• Jumping on the couch and asking your kids to join you for a big group snuggle session

By embracing spontaneity, you’re providing room for laughter, silliness, and pure fun with your kids. This is great for creating family bonds, making memories, and fostering joy in everyday life.

Create a safe place

Encourage your kids to say what they feel without being judged, by creating a safe place for them to tell you anything.

You can do this by asking them questions, but reminding them that it’s okay if they don’t want to answer.

There is power in knowing you have a choice to do what you are invited to do, and then using that power.

There are many ways to spend quality time with your kids that don’t need to involve detailed plans, and complicated schedules.

Spending time with your kids can be as easy as cooking together, being present when you’re with them, blocking off specific times for quality time, being spontaneous, and letting your kids know they can come to you with anything.

Is spending quality time with your kids something you want to do more of?