The Ultimate Guide to Building Strong Family Bonds | Rediscovered Families (2024)

Want to know the secret to a happier family? Strong family bonds. We’ve heard the advice a million times. Build strong family connections and life will become a lot easier. But family bonding time doesn’t always happen naturally. Busy schedules, and the demands of our lives, make it hard to know which way to turn.

The good news is that building those bonds is easier than you think. In this post, I can show you 12 essential practices that will help you build the family connections you crave.

In a hurry?Here are our top 6 favorite family bonding activities.

1. Enjoy some collaborative art projects that are guaranteed to help you connect.
2. Learn how to use some simple secret codes. Teach them to your kids and send coded messages back and forth.
3. Do something kind together. Working with your children to help others makes memories and builds connections.Here’s a list of suggestions for different ages.
4. Enjoy some family activities that are designed to encourage a positive attitude in your kids. How’s that for a win?
5. Use daily positive affirmations to encourage your kids. Here’s 70 suggestions to help get you started.
6. Find easy ways to spend time with family. Make a list, so you are always ready to go. Here’s 26 suggestions to help get you started or try our Play Activity Cards

Try the Positivity and Connection kit from Big Life Journal. It is full of activitiesto foster a positive attitudeand strengthen family connections.

Jump straight to our family bucket list. We’ve got 101 amazing family bonding activities for you to enjoy.

Building Family Bonds: The Ultimate Guide.

I held my squiggly 3-year-old on my lap.We were at a wedding and he was fidgeting.I hugged him gentlyand I whispered into his ear.

“I am so lucky to be your mum.”My sonimmediately stopped fidgeting, leanedinto the hug, and relaxed.

Ah those sweet moments of connection with our children that make our hearts melt.They make all the hard work of parenting worthwhile, don’t they? One of the best things about living in a family is that you get many, many opportunities to build those family relationships and connect with your kids everyday.

Are you ready to find out more about strengthening family bonds?Use the table of contents to jump straight to the section you want.

• What is a Family Bond?
• How Do You Create family Bonds? 12 Essential Practices
• 101 Family Bonding Activities

What is a Family Bond?

Simply put, a family bond is the strong connection that exists between family members. A close family bond creates a safe place in an uncertain world. It is built from myriads of positive experiences that begin when we are a babies and continue throughout our lives. It gives us a belief in ourselves and the strength to go out into the world.

Family bonding occurs when a family spends time togethermeaningfully. It can come in small moments of connection during the day. It is built when you spend time with your kids laughing over something silly, cuddling, and learning how to play their favorite games. Daily rituals of eating meals together, stories, hugs all contribute to that sense of connection. When children are asked what theyreally want from their parents. They give the same answers time and again. Your children really lovebeing with you. All they want is your time.They just want tospend timewith you.

Ready To Have Fun With Your Kids? Sign up and you’ll receive an email each day (for a week). each one contains a simple activity that you can enjoy with your kids.

How Do You Create family Bonds? 12 Essential Practices

I’ve identified 12 essential practices that will help you create family bonds.

• Invitations To Connect
• Small Moments
• Family Mission Statements
• Family Meetings
• Family Fun
• Making Traditions
• Unplug
• Eat Together
• Acts Of Kindness
• Do Chores Together
• Laugh Together
• Communication

Watch for the Invitations to Connect

When I look back on my boy’s childhood, I see how often I was invited to give the gift of time.They wanted to spend time with me.I am so glad that I accepted their invitations.They wanted to share their world with me.What a gift.

The invitations will come in all kinds of ways.

• Read me a story
• Can we play (insert name of game)?
• Will you play with me?
• Can you help me with my Lego?
• Giving you a blow-by-blow description of the book, they are reading.
• Talking excitedly, about the things that excite them.
• Ranting about the things that really upset them.

So, whether you are invited to help put together a Lego model, make a fort in the bush, dress up and have a tea party, or listen attentively as they tell you about their favorite book in excruciating detail- the wonderful truth is that your children actually want to be with you.Every-Single-Day. All you have to do is show up.

“It has been noted that actions speak louder than words.Truth is, I have found that during many situations in life, words are just noise…and actions are the ONLY things that speak.“

Steve Maraboli

Take Advantage of the Small Moments Throughout the Day

We often think it’s the huge, epic eventsthatwill make all the difference in our parenting. But actually, it’s the small things thatadd up to make your kids feel valued.And when we do those, we’ll feel like better parents.

Yes, ourdays arefull and our to-do list arelong.But wecan start with those small family momentsof attention and love.It’s that simple!

30 Quick & Powerful Ways to Bond with your Kids Every Day

1. Greet them with a hug first thing in the morning.
2. Mention the things you appreciate about them.Do this OFTEN!
3. Tell your child one thing you really like about him or her.
4. Each morning great them with a smile, a hug, and a word of affirmation.
5. Make some time to catch up when everyone gets home.
6. Rub noses with your child
7. Have a silly face competition
8. Give them a hug
9. Tell a story from your childhood
10. Rub your child’s back
11. Watch the sunset together
12. Say, “I’m so glad I got to be your Mom/Dad.”
13. Brag about your child when you know they can hear
14. Make up a secret handshake
15. Smile when your child comes into the room
16. Tell a really corny joke
17. Make silly noises when helping them do something
18. Make eye contact when they talk to you.
19. Give a high five
20. Catch your child’s eye and wink at them.(This is great thing to do if you are with a large group of people.)
21. Tell your child what you like about them
22. Squeeze their hands 3 times (secret code for I love you).
23. Blow them a kiss.
24. Pretend to catch their kiss and hold it against your heart.
25. Whisper words of affirmation into their ears when you tuck them into bed.
26. Say them again when you give them a hug.
27. Send them a text.
28. Laugh at their jokes.

Download my freeLittle Book of Connectionsfrom the library. I’ve gathered together 14 really simple ways of connecting with your kids.You’ll find it with the e-books.

Create A Family Mission Statement

Here’s the thing, a lot of us see the words mission statements and think about organizations of corporations. But mission statements can be helpful for families as well.

“A family mission statement is acombined, unified expression from all family members of what your family is all about — what it is you really want to do and be — and theprinciplesyou choose to govern your family life.”

Stephen Covey

In a nutshell, a mission statement helps you to figure out your family priorities. It can remind family members what they love most about each other. It helps define what is truly important to you family.

Don’t forget to try to capture the spirit of your family. Mission statements don’t need to be formal and stuffy. They can be funny and lighthearted. Above all they should be loving. The best part? Creating a mission statement together will provide some fabulous family bonding time.

Related: Read this post for more information about creating a family mission statement.

Hold Family Meetings

What is a family meeting? In a nutshell, it is scheduled event that gives you and your kids the chance to sit down together. It provides an opportunity to check in with each other, air grievances and talk about problems. Likewise, it also gives you a chance to talk about vacations, create a family bucket list, discuss an upcoming holiday, or plan something special.

Family meetings are scheduled family bonding time (although any member of the family can call an emergency meeting if they feel the need). Think of them as a date to help you get organized. They are the perfect venue to celebrate success and give support or affirmation.

The biggest bonus is that each person in turn can express their views. This becomes increasingly important as you kids grow, and you have to tackle tricky subjects like screen time, curfews, and dating.

For more information on how to hold successful family meetings, check out these tips from Big Life Journal.

Schedule Time For Family Fun

We all lead busy lives but having fun together on a regular basis is perhaps one of the most important things you can do. Find simple activities that you can do together and then block off time to do them.

laying with your kids is a wonderful way to enjoy some family bonding time.My printable Play Activity Cards make it so easy. All the activities use household items and don’t need any preparation.Download your set today.

Jump straight to our family bucket list. We’ve got 101 amazing family bonding activities for you to enjoy.

Some tips

• Don’t try to do too much. Keep it manageable, maybe once a week. If that doesn’t work, try for once a month.
• Create a schedule of fun events at one of your family meetings. Make sure to include indoor and outdoor ideas, so you are prepared no matter the weather. We’ve created a huge bucket list at the end of this post. Bring those ideas to your kids and see what they think. Ask them if they have any other ideas.
• Keep things simple. Most times the easiest activities are the best- blanket fort anyone?
• If something doesn’t work the way you expected, or interest wanes, that is ok. Simply cross that activity off the list for now and try something else.

Make and Maintain Traditions

Want to know a secret? Family traditions are a parent’s secret weapon when it comes to strengthening family bonds! They build strong connections, give kids a sense of identity and belonging, and build memories that will last a lifetime.

Traditions can be tied to a particular celebration, season, or holiday. Or they can be some daily rituals you follow. Things like

• A bedtime routine
• Snacks and chat when your kids get home from school.
• Having each family member talk about their successes of the day at supper

Related: Need more information on family traditions and tips for creating them? Read our post on family traditions

Turn Off your Electronics When You Are With Your Kids

Have you ever seen the crestfallen faces of a child as they desperately try to get the attention of a parent engrossed with their device? It is heartbreaking. On one occasion I saw a little girl fighting back tears, because she simply couldn’t get her dad’s attention away from his phone.

There is no judgment here.I do not know what was going on in this family’s life.Maybe there was a family emergency.Perhaps it had just been one of those really difficult parenting days and dad desperately needed a break.For all I knew, there was something going on at work that simply couldn’t be ignored.I get that.But I was still saddened by the lost opportunity for a wonderful connection between a little girl and her dad.

The trouble is when we choose our phone over our loved ones we are sending a message.

• You are not as important as my electronic device
• I am not interested in what you have to say
• My relationship with you is not my top priority

I know that this could not be further from the truth.But think of it from your child’s perspective.They don’t understand what might be going on in your life.All they see is that the device wins.

Read this powerful post A Letter to my sons- (the real reason I say no to electronics)

Eat Meals Together

Shared meals help children feel stable and secure. They automatically provide family bonding time. Parents can role model healthy food choices.Children practice live conversation, a skill that will stand them in good stead. It helps create community in the home and demonstrates an active commitment to the well-being of their children.

Ideally you would be able to do this daily, but I know that is not always possible. It can be any meal or even a snack. The important thing is to eat together, as a family, without any distractions.

Further reading: Did you know that studies suggest a positive link betweenshared family mealsand adolescent health and well-being?They have been related to better nutritional intake and a decreased risk for unhealthy weight control practices, substance use, unsafe sexual activity, and suicidal involvement in teens.

Do Something Kind Together

Reaching out to help others is one of the easiest family bonding activities going. Working with your children makes memories and gives families a shared experience. It also happens to be good for us.

Did you know that giving to others makes children happy? You might think that receiving would make children the happiest. In fact, studies indicate the complete opposite. Children gain more happiness from giving rather than getting.

As an extra bonus, you get to see your kid’s empathy, kindness and generosity growing in leaps and bounds.

ThisKindness & Community Kitis packed with activities to promotekindness and enhancechildren’s capacity to care about others.

There is no end of things that you can do together. One of the simplest activities is to raise money to make a micro-loan. You can help your neighbors, put up encouraging posters, or join volunteers in a larger project.

For more ideas- Check out our age-by-age kindness guide for busy families.

Do Chores Together

Do chores together? Seriously? Why not?

Cleaning the house and tending the yard must be done, so why not do it as a team? After all it is a great excuse to bring the family together. Besides doing chores together gets them done much faster and teaches kids to work together.

Work as a team on one task and foster a sense of togetherness. Make it more fun by playing energetic music. It can also be helpful to plan a small reward for when the job has been done. You could do something fun like go for ice cream or watch a movie.

For more on getting your kids excited about chores, read this

Laugh Together (A Lot)

Let’s face it, we can all do with more laughter in our lives. There is enough stress in the world without needing to be serious all the time. Our kids love to be silly and children’s giggles must be one of the best sounds in the world.

Perhaps more importantly, laughter provides instant connection. I call it relationship glue. There is nothing quite like a shared joke or moment of silliness.

My boys are all adults now. I love to hear them reminisce about their childhood. It is always interesting to hear things were important to them looking back. Want to know what they talk about the most? It is some of the sillier moments and jokes they shared together.

So, try to build in laughter every day. It doesn’t matter if you share some really corny jokes, watch funny YouTube videos, or read some funny books. Just encourage shared laughter any way you can.

Need some more ideas? We’ve got 15 crazy ideas that are bound to get the whole family laughing.

Work On Communication

I think we can all agree that communication is one of the basic building blocks of any relationship. In fact, communication is the basic buildingblock of any relationship.

Family communication is particularly important because it can have a direct impact on our families. When a family doesn’t communicate well, family members can start to disengage and the bonds that bind us together are broken.

Of course, communication involves both talking AND listening. When it comes to our children, listening might just be more important.
We have all had times when we have not felt heard, or worse, been ignored. It feels awful. Conversely, there have been times when we have felt heard and understood. I know which one I prefer.

Don’t you find that when you feel heard, you are less angry and more open to resolving problems? Feeling heard builds trust and relationship. Being ignored destroys relationship and trust. Fortunately communication is a skill we can learn and develop. I would suggest this book and this one.

Check out our list of 70 positive words for kids.Use a few of these phrases every day to build your children’s self esteem and confidence. Can’t get your kids talking? Try these conversation cards

101 Family Bonding Activities

1. Learn a secret code and send messages

Secret Codes For Kids” introduces 5 ciphers. Each code has an instruction sheet and an activity page for practice. Includes tips for parents .

2. Design and build machines out of Lego
3. Askone specific questionabout their day.
4. Play their favorite game, or read their favorite book, for the hundred millionth time!
5. Make some love clips and brighten someone’s day
6. Tell them stories about your childhood.
7. Leavelove messagesin their room or in their lunch box.
8. Tell your kids about the day they were born
9. Play Pooh Sticks
10. Share a treat
11. Make a blanket fort and hang out in it
12. Stop for 15 minutes andplay with them.
13. Write a love note.
14. Try aneasy art project
15. Raid the kitchen cupboards for pots and spoons and forming a marching band
16. Have adance party
17. Plant something
18. Play I-spy
19. Trya science experiment
20. Look at old family photos
21. Go play outside
22. Play a board game.You could even make your own!
23. Have a staring contest
24. Bake something together
25. Learn how to play your child’s favorite video game

26. Create some land art.
27. Have an EPIC game of hide and seek
28. Paint a rock
29. Channel your inner witch or wizard and try some magical science experiments
30. Go outside andplay with a ball
31. Lie in the grass and find pictures in the clouds
32. Decorate a large cardboard box with paint, stickers and markers
33. Playhopscotch
34. Turn cartwheels
35. Climb a tree and jump in puddles
36. Blow bubbles
37. Make mud pies
38. Play tag
39. Go wild with colour
40. Watch a family movie
41. Plant some flowers
42. Make a family playlist on Spotify
43. Make a toy together
44. Enjoy somehot chocolateorice cream.
45. Roll down a grassy bank
46. Play apen and paper game
47. Chew bubble gum and see who can blow the biggest bubble
48. Build a robot
49. Teach your kids how to make “interesting” noises with a hand under the armpit (yes I know, but it never fails to impress!)
50. Tellcorny jokes
51. Make a comic strip

Includes 12 different layouts, planning pages and speech bubbles /sounds effects. Super easy to use. Just print off the pages you need.

52. Sing along to your kid’s favorite songs at the top of your lungs
53. Build afairy house
54. Try some indoor activities
55. Snuggle on the sofa and listen to a chapter from an audio book
56. Draw self portraits
57. Make a time capsule and bury it
58. Get out some coloring books
59. Build an indoor obstacle course
60. Have a tie dye party
61. Learn a card game
62. Make and fly paper airplanes
63. Make leaf or bark rubbings
64. Draw with sidewalk chalk
65. Make sock puppets
66. Enjoy a nature scavenger hunt (grab one for free from Pinterest)
67. Make a collageusing glue and pictures from magazines and flyers
68. Jump rope
69. Play with hula hoops
70. Make some shadow puppets and perform a play
71. Play some simple games likeWould You Rather,Never Have I EverorFishbowl.
72. Build a sandcastle
73. Make frozen treats, popsicles, or ice cream in a bag
74. Make a mess on purpose
75. Have a coloring party with our growth mindset coloring pages

76. Try some nature weaving
77. Have a nerf gun battle or go high tech with laser guns
78. Make a yarn circle, take it outside, place it on the ground and look carefully.What do you see?Move the circle somewhere else.What else do you see?If you have a magnifying glass bring it along
79. Line up dominos and then watch them fall
80. Learn how to do some simple magic tricks
81. Enjoy some creative playdough fun. Grab some free playdough mats to help.
82. Play with face paints
83. Make something from an egg carton
84. Build a huge tower out of blocks
85. Hold a tea party
86. Have a water fight
87. Work on a large puzzle together
88. Make story stones.
89. Play at night with glow sticks.
90. Have a water balloon fight. Use refillable balloons for something more eco-friendly
91. Make ice cream in a bag
92. Skip rocks
93. Make flextangles
94. Try squirt gun painting
95. Use this website to make word searches and other puzzles. Put together a family puzzle book
96. Create something from cardboard tubes
97. Skip rocks
98. Build a small world in a cardboard box
99. Brainstorm ideas for a family motto. See examples here
100. Make a daisy chain
101. Decorate your bodies with temporary tattoos