30 ways to Bond with Your Children

In your children’s eyes, you can do no wrong.  Make the most of this stage by spending quality time with your little ones.

Try one each day for a month to show those kiddos how special they really are.

Makeup a handshake

The sillier, the better!  Feel free to include shimmies, jumping, and spinning.  Next time they do something awesome, instead of giving a high five or knuckles, you can do your special handshake.

Teach them a dance

There’s no shortage of choreographed dances – the Macarena, the Cupid Shuffle, the Electric Slide, and the list goes on.

RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) Day

Spend a day, or afternoon if you’re short on time, doing selfless acts for others.  You can anonymously leave a gift basket on a neighbor’s doorstep, order food in a drive-through and pay for the car behind you, leave lots of pennies on the grocery store riding a horse, and feed parking meters.  Find more ideas here:http://mixmingleglow.com/blog/?p=1358

Go to a craft store and let them choose a craft for you to do together at home

You can make friendship bracelets, matching t-shirts, or create a Paint-with-Numbers.

Cook together

Let your little ones choose a recipe, go to the store with them and let them help find the ingredients.

Teach your little ones a card game

You can then keep a card deck in your purse, and play the card game whenever you’re waiting somewhere.

Write a book

Instead of reading a book together, create your own characters, setting, and plot.  Then write your story together, complete with illustrations.

Interview your children

Write their answers down and save as a keepsake.

Make up a dance

Let your children pick a song, and then put together your favorite dance moves into your own special dance.

Tell jokes

Get a joke book at a bookstore and tell each other jokes.  You can also get the jokes from a website such as http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/jokes/jokes_galore.htm

Learn a trick together

Learn a table trick, card trick, or magic trick together.  You can show friends and family over and over and the kids will never get sick of it.

Cup rhythm

Teach your children the cup rhythm, and they will be so excited to show it off to their friends.  You can learn it here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grb1oa72kmk

Start a book club

Choose a book theme such as Dr. Seuss or Disney.  Read your books and talk about them for a child’s version of a book club.

Teach your children a classic game

Kids love games such as Red Light Green Light, Simon Says, and Scavenger Hunts.

Science project

Let your children choose a project from this website:http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/science-projects-for-kids-weather-and-seasons.htm – you can all create a fun learning experience together.

Camping

Build a fort or tent, make homemade s’mores, and create flashlight puppets on the walls for a memorable camping experience.

Decorate

Make decorations to display in the house to surprise family members.  Use balloons, streamers, and paper chains and let the kids get creative.

Geocache

This is a great daytime activity.  Learn about geocaching and find routes here:http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/geocaching+kids.html

Elf Yourself

Jib Jab (http://www.jibjab.com/) has all kinds of animated e-cards.  Make a few together and send out to family and friends for a good laugh.

Scrapbook

Let your kids pick out the pictures, and create a photo album for somebody special.  You can make it as simple or crazy as you’d like.

Make an obstacle course

You can do this outside or inside.  Arrange obstacles so the kids have to climb, jump, and crawl.  You can race each other, or time your children to have them beat their time.

Exercise

Teach your children a simple version of your favorite exercise.  Yoga and Zumba are fun for kids, and can easily be adapted to their skill level.

Finger paint

Painting supplies

buy butcher paper and spread it over a big space (it’s best to do this outside).  Pour finger paints into separate bowls and let them get crazy.

Teach paper games

Teach your child classic paper games such as complete the square, tic-tac-toe, and hangman.  Once they learn these, you can do them while waiting for your food at a restaurant or stuck at the DMV.

Funny hair

Break out the hairspray, gel, and even hair color spray and “style” each other’s hair.

Hideaway

Create a “special spot” in your house where the two of you can go to talk – set it up with blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals

Book About Me

Create an individualized book for your children.  You can use the one by Dr. Seuss (titled “My Book About Me”) or make your own

Finger Knitting

This is an easy and inexpensive activity that will keep your children busy for hours.  You can learn how to finger knit with this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3LKAlDz9ig

Origami

Spend some time learning origami together.  You can find origami projects at this site:http://www.origami-instructions.com/

Photoshoot

Grab your camera and do an impromptu photo shoot.  You can wear different outfits, go to your favorite places, or just keep it simple.  If you’d like, you can then make a photo album of your photo shoot adventures.

Benefits of Bonding With Your Children

Family is extremely important because you get a lot of love and support through them, which can be crucial in helping you grow as a person. You also get essential information that can help you develop in various aspects of your life. Spending time with your children teaches them key lessons of adaptability and resilience, which significantly helps them later in life. There are many benefits of bonding with your children, and here are some of them. 

It Improves Their Mental Health

When you spend time with your children, you engage in face-to-face communication, which can significantly help improve their mental health compared to interacting digitally. Being physically present with your loved ones can create a strong emotional connection that can greatly help them through life challenges. 

Lowers Risk For Behavioral Problems

Children who spend time with their parents are proven to be at a lower risk of behavioral issues, such as violence and substance abuse. When they receive positive attention for their positive behaviors, they are more likely to repeat those behaviors or healthy patterns. Doing activities to bond with your child can also help give them an outlet for pent-up emotions. If left unattended, they can manifest in behavioral issues. 

It helps Them Perform Well Academically

Children who have a strong bond with their parents and spend time with them tend to do better at school than those who do not. This is because they learn how to communicate, and when they need assistance with assignments and other school work, they can ask for help. Your help will also help reinforce the importance of their success which will drive them to work hard.

Boosts Self-Confidence

By bonding with your child through various activities, you can help build their self-esteem. This can be done through various activities promoting communication and problem-solving skills. Children also tend to model their behavior after a loved one. So, by being confident in yourself, you can help boost their self-confidence. 

Use this calendar so you can plan one fun activity each day.  I would encourage you to edit the calendar to what works for your family: change the dates you plan to do the activities and add and delete activities based on what your children like.  Don’t forget to add this to your Family Notebook!  Bond with Your Children Activity Calendar