Play: Nurturing Family Bonding Through Joyful Togetherness
Welcome to our Marriage War and Peace blog for October!
This month, we're diving into the heart of family life — nurturing those precious connections by creating joyful memories through play and shared activities.
As mothers, you know how hectic life can become during this time of year, with school activities, packed schedules, and household responsibilities pulling you in every direction. However, carving out time for family play is essential. Whether it’s through laughter, creative projects, or shared adventures, making space for fun strengthens family bonds and creates cherished memories that last a lifetime.
This month let’s make a pinky swear to prioritize joyful togetherness that brings everyone into the fun. Whether your family includes toddlers, teens, or a mix of both, commit to carving out time to play, laugh, and create moments of joy together.
In this article, we go beyond the usual recommendations to explore unique and refreshing self-care activities that can deeply nurture your mind, body, and spirit.
In this month’s article, we’ll focus on:
No TV? No Problem
5 unique ways to nurture family bonding through play
The Family That Plays Together
No TV? No Problem
Two summers ago, the family room TV went out. This summer, the living room TV broke down, and rather than rushing to replace the only TV left in our home, we didn’t!
With Kara in high school and college around the corner, we all sense the value of time, and realize that we need to nurture and our family time together.
So, instead of zoning out in front of the TV, we’ve started spending our evenings sharing old photos and videos stored on our phones. Kara has taken the lead, diving into memories stored in the cloud, and together, we relive her dance recitals, family vacations, and birthdays. This ritual has brought us closer than ever, sharing laughter and telling stories that make us feel like we’re
time-traveling together, nurturing family bonding through joyful togetherness.
Without the TV as a distraction, we’ve discovered a more intentional and meaningful way to connect. What initially felt like an inconvenience has blossomed into one of the most enriching and rewarding chapters of our family life. And the best part? No one’s in a hurry to replace the TV!
5 Unique Ways to Nurture Family Bonding Through Play
Create a Family Play Jar
A fun and simple way to keep play at the forefront of your family's routine is to create a "Family Play Jar." Have each family member write down activities they'd love to do together. Then, fold these ideas up and place them in the jar. Pull out a new suggestion each week and make it a point to do that activity together.
Storytelling Adventures
Instead of reading a traditional story, create a family storytelling night where everyone takes turns adding to an ongoing tale. Start with a simple prompt, like "Once upon a time in a faraway forest . . . " and let each family member contribute a few lines. You'll be amazed at where the story goes!
Themed Dinner Nights
Bring a little flair to your family dinners with themed nights. On these nights, everyone dresses up and makes a meal together based on a specific theme. For example, have an "Around the World" night where you cook dishes from different countries, or a "Superhero Night" where everyone dresses as their favorite characters.
Outdoor Adventure Bingo
Take your family time outdoors with an "Adventure Bingo" game. Create bingo cards with different outdoor activities or things to spot, like "climb a tree," "find a red flower," or "skip a rock on water."
Random Acts of Kindness Challenge
Create a family challenge where everyone gets to perform a "random act of kindness" each week. It could be something as simple as helping a neighbor carry their groceries, writing a heartfelt note to a grandparent, or volunteering as a family at an animal shelter.
Whatever you do, have fun!
Helpful Resources
Sabrina Huyett's The Family That Plays Together offers a heartwarming compilation of family traditions collected from dozens of families.
Share Your Insights
Join the conversation! Share your favorite ways to create joyful moments and strengthen your family bond. What unique activities does your family love to do together? Let’s inspire each other to create more happiness at home!
All it takes is one person in the relationship to understand what’s going on and turn inward for healing, to transform their relationship from battle-weary to thriving strong.
In the meantime, if you’re dealing with a spouse acting out relationship saboteur #5 (retaliation) and you’d like some support, wives, I'm here for you. Or, if you’d like help as a couple, click here.
