6 Fun Family Rituals for the Extra Sunlight in the Evening

Spring is around the corner, and that means losing an hour for daylight saving time. It also means gaining some extra sunlight in the evening. This extra sunlight at the end of the day gives us an opportunity to create some new family rituals that we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise (i.e., in the dark).

So while I may not be fond of losing an hour of sleep, I am looking forward to creating some more family bonding time with these ideas for family rituals.

1. Go for an evening walk

Extend family time a bit longer after dinner by going for an evening walk. Depending on when you eat and where you live, you might even be able to enjoy the sunset. There are many potential benefits from walking 10 minutes after a meal, including improved digestion, lowering blood sugar levels, and regulating blood pressure.

An evening walk will also get the whole family outside for some fresh air and allow everyone to soak up a few of the last rays of the day. After sitting inside at school or work all day, this will help everyone wind down and relax after a busy day.

2. Create and care for a family garden

Even if you don’t have a lot of room, you can still create a family garden and grow some food. You can keep it simple if space is limited by starting a herb garden on a windowsill. If you have a small outside space, create a family container garden by growing everything in pots. Tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, eggplant, green onions, beans, squash, radishes, and parsley all do well in pots.

If you have some room, you can create a larger garden and grow any number of things. Start with whatever you feel will be manageable for you and your family. It’s better to start small and add on than to start too big and get overwhelmed and discouraged. If growing food isn’t your thing, then create a succulent garden or rose garden or whatever type of garden is right for you.

3. Have family game night

The week can be hectic and doesn’t always leave time for hanging out as a family, especially when it gets dark early and can feel later than it actually is. Take advantage of the extra sunlight by having a family night during the week. Pull out a favorite board game or puzzle, make some popcorn, and see how everyone’s day was while you sit around the table together.

4. Read a book

Grab a book that interests the whole family and have family reading time. You may think finding a book everyone will enjoy is impossible, but it’s not. (On long car rides, my family routinely listens to audiobooks. We’ve found many that have been able to hold the attention of an adult as well as both girls, who are four years apart.) One person can read aloud to the rest of the family, you can take turns reading aloud, or you can put an audiobook on and listen while cleaning up dinner. Reading together can help children become more responsible too.

5. Play outside

If the kids still have energy, take them outside to play at a neighborhood park. They’ll be able to get their energy out, which will help them sleep better, and you’ll be able to enjoy some time outside in the sun. You can even bring a picnic and have a picnic in the park. Now’s a great time to try documenting the seasons of the year too.

6. Have a dance party

Turn on some music and have some fun dancing around as a family. This is another great way to get some extra energy out before bed. But that’s not all. Dancing has benefits, like reducing stress, lowering anxiety, and making you more self-aware.