31 Fun Ways to Strengthen Family Relationships

Whether it’s summer or not, you can find time to strengthen family relationships. But since the kids are home a bit longer and August is family fun month, why not slow down and intentionally connect through fun before school starts.

When you take time to play as a family, you can help your children

• feel connected and secure,
• improve communication,
• build stronger sibling relationships,
• create lasting traditions,
• learn emotional regulation, and
• reduce stress.

So why not have some fun and bond as a family? You may find a new favorite activity as you strengthen family relationships.

At Home

• Family game night
• Build a blanket fort
• Tell family stories
• Family movie marathon
• Make an ice cream sundae bar
• Have a family dance party

Get Outside

• Create a nature scavenger hunt
• Have a family picnic
• Play in the sprinklers
• Go for a bike ride
• Camp out in your backyard
• Have a stargazing night
• Watch a sunset
• Visit a local farmers market
• Fly kites

Creative Fun

• Paint rocks
• Make a family time capsule
• Have a family talent show
• Learn a magic trick
• Create a family mural
• Make friendship bracelets

Serve Together

• Bake cookies for a neighbor
• Pick up litter at a park
• Donate toys
• Write thank-you cards for public safety and health workers

Adventure

• Explore a new playground
• Visit a museum
• Take a scenic drive
• Go on a library adventure
• Go geocaching
• Watch an outdoor concert

You don’t need to do them all. Although you can if you’d like. Just pick and choose the ones the family is excited about. And if you can’t do all the ones the family wants to before school starts, then save them and sprinkle them throughout the year when you have a bit of free time.