You might feel like with all that there is to do in a day, you aren’t getting enough time with your children. You may even feel guilty, as though you are failing them by not being around anymore. Many parenting blogs will reinforce this feeling, leaving you stressed and depressed. How can you balance things any more effectively than you already are?

Don’t worry, studies have shown that while time together is definitely crucial, the amount of time you have isn’t important. What matters is the quality of the time you spend as a family.

Here are some simple activities that you can enjoy together, that happen to be a lot of fun.

Prepare a Meal

My wife and I started cooking at home as a way to introduce healthier meals to our family on a more regular basis. Eventually our kids started helping out and it started a new tradition. Three nights a week, we all get together and make dinner.

Our favorite is Thursday night, which happens to be pizza night. We make individual pizzas on whole wheat crust, with all our favorite toppings.

Volunteer

This one might not seem like a lot of fun, but you would be surprised. Taking part in a volunteer activity is a great way to feel closer while also helping others in need. You can take turns coming up with a cause to work for every month, so everyone has a chance to do something that they find fulfilling.

Whether it is working an afternoon at an animal shelter, cleaning a lake shoreline of trash or handing out meals to the needy, it is a great way to spend family time.

Have a Game Night

Board games have taken over my living room. We have about three dozen, both classic and obscure. We sit down for a night of games once a week, including a once a month party where we invite others to join us. It is a lot of fun and the competition adds some excitement to the week.

With so many options these days, you won’t have a hard time finding one that your whole family loves.

Go Hiking

As a Utah native, I have spent my life loving the outdoors and taking advantage of every trail that the state has to offer. Now my kids have learned the same love of hiking and we go pretty regularly.

Appreciating nature and getting some sunlight can be a great reprieve from our digitally obsessed daily lives.

Whatever you choose to do, bonding with family can be a blast!