Fun Family Activities for Bonding
Family dynamics can be complicated. With multiple members off doing their own things and in different stages of life, it’s easy to grow apart. We’ve rounded up a few family activities to help bring together your family on their next game night, but first, how to pick.
How to Decide on a Family Activity
To avoid fighting when the opposite is the goal, try a fair and equitable voting process for family activities. After all, no one will want to consistently take part in an activity they don’t like, week after week. There are a few options to help choose family games fairly:
- Drawing: Everyone writes down three ideas, and the papers are thrown into a bucket and drawn by a rotating person weekly. Whichever activity is drawn is the one that is done for that week (or another time period)
- Rotating Choice: More direct, the rotating choice means that every week a new family member chooses their activity. The rotation will go on until all family members have chosen. Then the rotation will begin again.
- An Agreement: Rather than letting one person downright choose the activity for the week, the family can discuss until one idea is chosen and selected. This can help to avoid reluctant family members, so long as all agree in the end.
So what options are there for family bonding? Luckily, plenty!
Card Games
Let’s start with card games, something that sharply rose in popularity during the pandemic. There are plenty of games to play with a regular deck of cards, or speciality cards can be purchased to keep it fun for little ones.
For example, Old Maid or Uno might be a fun additive, but there’s definitely no need for the extra purchase! Some of the best family card games include Go Fish, Hearts, Texas Hold’Em Poker, and Nerts, as outlined here. Your family’s favorite game may be one that you haven’t tried! Be sure to try new things to keep things fun and rediscover old favorites.
Board Games
One of the universal activities for family activity time is a good ole’ board game! Popular types include:
- Sorry
- Monopoly
- Candy Land
- Yahtzee
- Guess Who
- Trouble
- and more!
These games are fun because they never get old. There is always a new and different way to play the game, which leads to endless fun. If board games aren’t quite your family’s speed, or you’re looking to mix things up, turn to other activities, like trivia!
Family Outings
Every family needs a trip away from home every once in a while. Not for school or for work, but for quality time with one another! There is an endless list of things to do, but what’s best for your family will depend on interests and budgets. An activity where the family goes for a group walk can be made just as fulfilling as a special trip to the bowling alley or mini-golf.
If your family is struggling to bond, this may be a sign of a greater problem. Find the answers you need at https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/family/ .
Presented by BetterHelp.