Spending quality family time together is one of the best things you can do for your children. In today's fast paced society, it is often hard to find time for everyone to come together for fun family activities, but even simple events that only take a few minutes can create lasting childhood memories. Many fun family activities can quickly become cherished family traditions. Try these family fun suggestions to build strong, loving family bonds.



1. Play a game. Traditional board games, jigsaw puzzles, and even silly childhood games are fun activities families can enjoy together. Have a Scrabble tournament or a tic-tac-toe championship match. Play an outdoor game of Duck, Duck, Goose or hide a straw inside and play ?hot or cold? until someone finds it. Games are a great way to have quality family fun and quick games only take a few minutes!

2. Make a family treasure. Bring everyone together to create something personal that tells about your family. Make a totem pole from a variety of items to represent each family member or work together to make a family banner. Create a coat of arms for your family using everyone's input. Build a time capsule together, create a family scrapbook for a special event, or make trading cards together as a family. These memories will create more fun family activities when you share them in the future!

3. Communicate. Communication is one of the most important keys to a successful relationship. Make a family mailbox together to encourage more communication between family members. You can decorate a shoebox together or create a more elaborate mailbox. Use it to leave messages and notes of encouragement to one another. To help family members stay more informed with one another, create a family newsletter together. Give everyone a section to write and pair younger children with a parent or older sibling. Once a month or each week, print up a family newsletter to tell about important dates for games or recitals, special achievements, and anything else your family can think of to include!

4. Eat together. Meal time is a great way to spend quality family time and breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so set aside a special time each week for a family breakfast. Go out to a restaurant, buffet, or bagel shop for a special breakfast treat or pack some muffins and fruit with a blanket and enjoy a family breakfast picnic at the park or in the backyard!

5. Take a family outing. Set aside a day each month for fun family activities away from home. Take an educational outing to the zoo or a museum or plan a hike at a local state park. Go for a drive through the country, see a movie, or go out for ice cream. There are all types of fun things families can do together! To create more memories, give everyone a disposable camera and make a photo journal together.

Sharing in fun family activities can strengthen family ties and build healthy, longlasting relationships. Quality family time also boosts children's self esteem and encourages healthy social development. Make time for fun family activities in your house on a regular basis.