Picture, after a long day chasing dreams and conquering the world, you come home to your sanctuary, your family. It’s all too easy to let the to-do lists and tiredness take over instead of taking advantage of little pockets of quality time.
Now, don’t get me wrong: We all know the importance of hustling to build a life we’re proud of, but what often gets sidetracked is the simple joy of spending time with the people we cherish most. And I’m not talking about just existing in the same room, but those intentionally joyful, laugh-until-your-belly-hurts kind of moments — the moments you will remember for a lifetime.
Don’t neglect the opportunity to turn mundane moments into memories. Have you ever tried a breakfast dance party? It’s a common thing in our house (in between rounds of “get dressed so you’re not late!” — it’s a balance, y’all).
As the cereal bowls clink, throw a little dance-off right there in the kitchen. Your little ones will copy your moves, or invent their own, and laughter will echo through the house. It’s funny how a 10-minute dance session can set the tone for an entire day.
Get off the tablets and explore the outdoors.
And how about adding a sprinkle of creativity to your evenings? Create a storytelling campfire — minus the actual fire, unless you’re feeling adventurous and have a backyard fire pit. Dim the lights in the living room and start telling an imaginary tale. Revamp one of your childhood memories if you need some inspiration. Let each family member add their chapter to the narrative. You’ll get to see their imaginations at work, plus lots of sweet giggles.
Speaking of imagination, try diving into your artsy side. Break out some old T-shirts or grab a few from the craft store. Turn them into blank canvases, and let each person unleash their inner Picasso with a palette of colors. Make it a challenge where everyone must paint a shirt for another family member. Then pick a night to wear the shirts out or around the dinner table.
Sidebar: Have you ever noticed that when your kids get too much screen time, they are sassier and a little more hardheaded? It’s so easy to allow that extra tablet time, but easy isn’t what’s best. As adults, we know there is plenty of screen time ahead. We all wish we didn’t have to be on our computers and phones so much.
Another huge hit for us is the unplugged hour. Say goodbye to screens and hello to board games, puzzles, or even a spontaneous scavenger hunt around the house. You’ll be amazed at how simple games can transform any evening into a world of challenges, teamwork, and maybe a little friendly competition.
We are regular Uno players in this house. Not only do we have fun, but we work on sportsmanship, because you can’t all win every time! There have been so many nights where deadlines are looming and we’re exhausted, but family time provides a great break and dose of mental medicine.
Weekends open a whole new world of possibilities. We often forget that we only get approximately 940 weekends with our kids before they are grown up and out of the house. Even then, many of those will be spent with friends and activities.
Mommy’s nail salon is always Ella’s favorite.
Try an at-home camping experience! Throw some tents in the backyard, or even in the living room if nature decides to rain on your parade. Set everything up together, tell stories under the stars (or ceiling), and enjoy homemade s’mores. And yes, microwave s’mores 100% count.
If you long to get out of the house (without spending a fortune), the Triangle has a ton of incredible parks and areas to explore. A perfect Saturday for our littles includes a great family breakfast followed by a park adventure or bike ride, a few rounds of Uno, and ends with movie night at home. Make your own tickets and create a big pile of blankets and pillows to watch a movie snuggled together. Don’t forget the popcorn!
Family fun is about creating a daily habit of connection, laughter, and togetherness. It doesn’t require extravagant plans or expensive outings. Instead, it’s found in the everyday small moments and the intentional choosing of each other.
All this being said, life likes to come at us hard some days. Keep family fun at the top of the priority list, but give yourself grace for the imperfect days.
We race around, chasing goals and building our dreams, and I’m here for that! But remember — the best dreams are built with those who make our world: our family. We get caught up in the hustle and bustle so easily. But think, when you look back on life, what parts are you likely to remember most? Memories with your favorite people.
So here is a reminder you didn’t know you needed: Embrace those chances to laugh, love, and live fully in the small moments and grand adventures. Chase that dream, but never forget to carry your crew along for the fun.
How do you make family fun a priority in your home? @EricaDeLong
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