As a parent, we have too much on our plate — work, household chores, daily expenses, kids’ school activities, and the list goes on. As a result, family time is often taken for granted because of the very demanding commitments we have. We know it’s not intentional but most of us miss the most important priority of all — giving our kids the attention that they deserve. We focus so much on raising them to be successful and providing them their needs that we fail to spend more time with them. Don’t worry, you’re not alone and it’s never too late to strengthen the bond in your household.

The questions are: how are you going to do balance all these things without affecting your performance at work, your household chores, and your relationship with your children?

My answer: setting up a family fun night because why not? It’s a perfect activity that you can turn into a regular routine. It’s fun. It’s simple. And it’s surprisingly cheap! Below are some ideas on how you can make your family night extra fun and exciting.

Game Night

Incorporating a game night every weekend (or every day) is not only fun; it also provides learning opportunities for you and the kids. While board games are on top of the list, you can also try other exciting activities at home, such as:

Whatever your chosen game is, be sure to disconnect from all technology first, for around two to three hours and connect with the people you love the most — your family.

Themed-Dinner Night

This idea might require you to spend a little more but since it’s themed-dinner night, why not?. You can ask other family members and agree on a particular theme or you can take turns.

Running out of dinner recipes? You can check out Pinterest for inspiration, pick a season you like, or try different cuisines around the world, one by one. Not only will you have the chance to taste something new, but you’re also creating a memory for the entire family to remember.

Tip: Be sure to pick a night when every family member is present and don’t forget pictures!

Netflix And Chill

Turn the lights off, grab some blankets, and just spend the night watching a movie with the entire family. It’s as simple as that. While this activity might not encourage conversation, it is still a great way to relax and be together after a long day at work and/or school.

Looking for a list of movies to watch with your family? Here are my top suggestions:

  • Spirited Away
  • The Lion King
  • Home Alone
  • Finding Nemo
  • Jumanji

After movies, don’t sleep yet! Make the movie night an interactive one by asking your kids about their favorite part and/or character or what they would do on a specific situation that happened in the movie.

Backyard Camping

Most of us think that when it comes to camping, you should be in a forest. While it’s a great idea, not everyone has the luxury or time to go out and set up a camp out there, so why not just go out. Literally.

Pop a tent in your backyard, bring out some story books (or tell your own stories), and give your family a quick and convenient vacation. Do not forget all the important things when camping a.k.a. S’mores. You can also incorporate a few camping activities, such as singing songs, group storytelling where one person will start the story and the next one will continue, and so on and so forth.

Get Dressed

For this activity, you have two options to choose from: either go on a trip to a thrift market and look for some costumes or let your kids raid your closet. The idea is to find something fancy (or funny) to wear while doing other fun activities, such as reading a book, eating dinner, or watching a movie.

Don’t worry, moms and dads! You can definitely join the fun! You can wear a costume, too, or pick out an outfit that you haven’t worn in ten years.

These are just some of the fun family night activities that you can try without spending a lot.

Have you tried any of these? What other exciting activities you have in mind?

Whether you’re looking for more tips on what to do during a family night or you have some awesome suggestions, we’d love to know!

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