Your life is packed full of activities. Most people’s are. It’s become so much a part of modern living. We have an endless list of commitments and there’s always something that needs to be done. It is  part of modern living. Our ability to do so much makes us do more and more.
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The time spent on work or other commitments is important, but when it comes down to it the most important thing is family. The relationships you built with relatives and friends are the bonds that last and truly enrich your life. Here are 10 activities you can do with your family that will help you build relationships and won’t cost you any money.

Play a board game. I’ve never been into games, but my sister and mother love them. Even now getting together as a family to play some games is fun. It’s nothing I’d consider doing normally, but knowing that it makes them so happy is enjoyment enough for me.

Go on a picnic. Pack up a few simple foods and find a nice spot to eat outside. It breaks up the routine and is a fun weekend activity for the family. I love this time of year when the leaves are changing and there’s a slight chill in the air. You have to go on your picnic soon though. The winter cold will be here before you know it.

Take a walk. Most evenings we go for a walk after dinner when the weather is nice. Walking gives you some exercise and also gives you the chance to talk about things that are going on in your lives without the distraction of the television or the internet.

Talk. Find out what’s going on in your kids’ lives. Talk about what they’re doing. Find out about friends, school, and other interests. Don’t do this in an overly questioning grilling sort of way. This can be done naturally. Showing sincere interest will help them open up. Even your teenagers want to know that you’re interested in their lives even though they don’t act like it most of the time.

Cook together. Make something delicious as a family. Make sure to get everyone involved in some way. It will help teach your children about how to cook and also help all of you work together. Food you make together always tastes better.

Read a book together out loud. We used to get novels from the library and read them aloud together. We haven’t done that in awhile, but when we did it was something we all enjoyed and looked forward to. You can choose a book with an interesting story that would be appropriate for the whole family. Have everyone who can take a turn reading a few pages. Doing this helps foster a love for reading in your children. It’s also good because once the book gets going, it becomes a time that everyone looks forward to because they all want to know what’s going to happen next in the story.

Play a sport. When I was little we had a ping pong table in the house. I really looked forward to family ping pong tournaments. I was never very good but it was always tons of fun.

Go to a museum. Art museums and science museums can make great family outings. There are plenty of free museums out there too, so going to one doesn’t have to cost you anything.

Draw. My husband and stepson love to draw. We’ve spent time together just drawing pictures. Once years ago we all drew pictures of each other. My stepson was so happy about doing that that he kept all the pictures.

Taking a few minutes out of your busy life to slow down and do something relaxing with your family helps put life ito prospective. What are you doing all that work for anyway? You’re doing it to help your family have a better life. Well the best way to improve their lives is to take the time to show them you really care. Those are the things that children remember when they become adults. Those are the times you’ll treasure.

Photo by Pink Sherbet

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