{5} Easy Steps to Spending Quality Time Together

1. Find the time.

Something that might be holding you back from spending time together regularly as a family may be the misconception that you don't have the time. You do have the time. You just may need to visualize your schedule before you see those pockets of time that get wasted.

Make a list of the things that you need to do in the evenings and on the weekends (when the whole family is home). Plot out your activities on a schedule that you know you have to do such as eating meals, soccer games, church etc. Then, with your leftover time, pick a day and time and ask your husband to help with the follow through. Two adults are better then one, when it comes to follow through.

For us, Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings have become set-aside family time. It is on my calendar so that I do not schedule anything during these times. It became a priority, not something that can be juggled around until forgotten about.

2. Keep it simple.

Don't be intimidated by thinking you have to choose something extravagant. Some of the best memories I have as a child were created by my mother. We scoured parks looking for the best trees to climb, fished at different beaches and piers, went to the drive-in for double features, drove around during Christmas time enjoying the lights with her pre-mapped out neighborhoods, and we shopped yard sales every weekend. My budget would be a few dollars for a toy and she would always find a new cookbook.

I can still spot yard sale signs from a mile away. Those times are ones that I hold dear to my heart. Those simple, yet carved out of busy scheduled, times.

3. Cheap is best.

Some of the best family activities are ones that involve spending time in nature such as camping, biking or fishing. In addition to being outside, collecting something together or spending time on a project that involves several sitting to complete are just as rewarding. Starting a collection together such as collecting insects, rocks or leaves is a nice way to combine keeping it simple and cheap. Here is a list of 10 cheap activities that you can try, I guarantee they will be fun:

1. Have a themed dinner night including music and decorations. This book is a good starting point, Kids Around the World Celebrate!: The Best Feasts and Festivals from Many Lands.
   


2. Family Challenge - You can do a spoof off of Survivor, Jeopardy, Fear Factor or Top Chef.
   


3. Make slime - Here is my favorite recipe for homemade slime.
   


4. Have a water balloon fight outside. Or, if you don't want to pick up the broken balloons, opt for a popcorn fight outside.
   


5. Roast smores over the fire. We built a fire pit in our backyard, before we surprised the kids with their very own clay chimenea (Mexican), and loads of supplies for smores, for Christmas one year.
   


6. Family Olympics - Go to your favorite park and hold a family Olympics with fun games like egg on a spoon, water balloon toss and crab walks.
   


7. Movie night - Pile in the living room, make root beer floats and enjoy a movie together. Don't forget the pillows and blankets and the kids can have a sleep-over together. (I always make my way back to my comfy bed, but the kids love this.)
   


8. Treasure Hunt - Make a treasure hunt throughout your house with a map and riddles. Have the treasure be a chest full of cookies to decorate with icing and candy.
   


9. Fold paper airplanes - This book, Best Ever Paper Airplanes, is a great book for dads and kids. Moms, you're along for the ride!
   


10. Make recycling fun - If you recycle in your home, how about saving the stuff for a nifty gizmo or gadget? This is a great way to encourage recycling in your home: Gizmos & Gadgets: Creating Science Contraptions That Work (& Knowing Why) (Williamson Kids Can! Series)
    

4. Smile.

Be a good example. Smile a lot and let your family know that you are enjoying your time with them. Have a good attitude even if it's something you don't care too much for, or if you are out of your comfort zone a little. Here are some things to try that might encourage a smile:

• Learn something new along with your children.


• Give your children a choice between two activities instead of telling them what you are going to do.


• Teach your children something that you learned as a child, such as hop scotch, cats cradle, jump rope, croquet or badminton.

5. Stick with it.

Make it a habit to spend time together. There are too many things pulling for our and our children's attention. The time we have with our children will be gone before we know it. Stick with it. Create the memories. You'll be glad you did.

I will close with my father's favorite saying, "You do what you want to do most."

Brenda blogs about homeschooling and family traditions at Tie That Binds Us. She also wrote a free e-book, Creating an Atmosphere of Learning , that has many other ideas about spending time; learning together as a family.