Spending Quality Time With the Kids

Here are some great suggestions for spending Quality Time with the kids by today's guest poster, James Anderson.  

5 Ideas for Spending Quality Time with Your Kids

We lead such busy lives that balancing work and family can be a challenge. But the greatest gift you can give your child is the gift of your time and attention. Spending quality time with your kids may mean rearranging your priorities and reorganizing your schedule, but in the long run both you and your children will reap the benefits. Spending quality time with you is critical to your child’s social and emotional development. It builds self esteem, cements the bond between you, keeps the lines of communication open and creates lasting memories. Here are five ideas on how to spend that time.


1. Read with your child

By no means a new idea, it is one that has stood the test of time. An essential piece of nursery furniture in every child’s room should be a big comfy chair where you and your child can curl up together with a good book. Reading shouldn’t just be confined to bedtime stories. Once your child begins to learn to read, take turns reading to each other. Introduce your child to some of the classic children’s books and discuss the stories. They are full of valuable life lessons. Reading with your child stimulates their imaginations and can fuel a life-long interest in learning.

2. Cook together

You can make meal preparation a fun activity for you and your kids. Cooking with your kids may take a little more time and be a little messy, but it’s a great way to spend some quality time with them and it’s a task that has to be done anyway. It teaches both boys and girls some valuable life skills that will serve them well when they’re older.

3. Make a date with your child

Regularly schedule some one-on-one time when the two of you go off together to do something you both enjoy. Take a trip to the zoo, go to a movie or a play, hike a nature trail or have a picnic in the park. The important thing is that they have your full attention and you have a chance to really listen to them.

4. Take your kids camping

Communing with nature, sleeping in a tent and cooking over a campfire is a great way to spend some quality time with your kids, even if it’s only for one night. For most children, camping is a great adventure that has an almost magical quality. It also offers many teachable moments as they explore the wonders of nature and learn about plants and animals. Sitting around the campfire at night, telling stories and singing songs can be a wonderful bonding experience for the entire family.

5. Work on art and craft projects together

Kids are naturally creative and love making things. There is a wealth of ideas on-line for great art and craft projects for kids as well as some excellent books on the topic. Together you can make everything from homemade play dough to jewelry, finger-puppets, bean mosaics, holiday decorations and birdfeeders. The options are endless. But whatever you choose to do, art and craft projects provide an excellent opportunity to spend quality time with your kids.



Author Bio


James Anderson is a proud father of 2, gadget freak, photographer and daddy blogger. James has been managing his own blog for a few years now. James enjoys writing articles for mums to be and parents of young children and currently writes for Baby Planet who are a leading UK retailer of baby equipment including cots, pushchairs, and high chairs.