Weekday evenings can be tough. There’s the rush to get dinner on the table at a reasonable time, the picking up of a day’s worth of toys, baths and bedtime routines. The list of tasks can seem endless. However, for most families, evenings are the only time during the week that the whole family is home together. Even if your evenings are jam-packed with activities, here are five simple and quick ways to spend quality family time with the kids during a busy weeknight.
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Hold a Beat the Song Clean-Up
Kids love a good race. If you can channel that love of competition into picking up their toys, everyone is a winner. Blast a fun song and see how much you can pick up before the song ends. This is a great way to initiate young children into daily chores and a fun way for your family to work together to tackle evening clean up.
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Eat or Snack Together
Sure, this is an obvious one, but it’s too important not to mention. Sitting down together for a meal or even standing in the kitchen with a quick snack gives you the opportunity to ask about your child’s day and connect free of other distractions.
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Go Outside
Even if it’s only for 10 minutes, playing outside as a family is fun. Also, it has the added benefit of releasing any excess energy before bedtime. So choose a quick game like Tag or Red Light/Green Light to enjoy some active bonding at family time.
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Get Artistic
If playing outside isn’t an option, grab some crayons or Play-Doh and create art together. Set a timer for 10 minutes and get creative. Let your child choose what you make, even if you aren’t artistically inclined. Kids appreciate the effort more than the outcome. Talking about their drawings is also a great way to engage less talkative children.
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Have a Family Dance Party
Let your kids choose one or two songs and dance together. This is a fun addition to any bedtime routine. Put on pajamas, get the whole family involved, and unwind together by enjoying music and movement.
With these five activities, you and your family can end the day on a positive note. Your kids will fall asleep with smiles on their faces and you’ll feel better knowing you had a little fun as a family. Family time doesn’t have to always be hectic on weeknights.
