Family is everything. As a social species, we’re built to thrive socially, emotionally, and psychologically when we have strong family relationships. Did you know that a strong family bond can help your children develop empathy, feel like they belong, and build resilience to weather the ups and downs in life?

As we begin another year, let’s resolve to strengthen our families. Here are a few ideas that you can put into action right now.

1. Set Aside Time Together [6 Ideas]
2. Plan a New Experience [6 Plans]
3. Volunteer Together [Here’s 7 Ways]
4. Practice Gratitude around the Table [6 Tips]
5. Plan a Vacation Together Weekend Getaways > Extended Trips
6. Explore Local 10+ Ozarks Destinations
7. Adopt New Healthy Habits Together [Here’s 6 Ideas]
8. Replace Screen Time with these 9 Bond-Building Activities
9. Build a Safety Plan Together & Practice it
10. Tackle a Big Project as a Family [8 Ideas]

1. Moments Matter, Commit to Cultivating More of Them

Out of all of the gifts that you can give to your family, your time and attention are the most important. From one generation to the next, this has looked different. From cultures built around stay-at-home moms to prioritizing weeknight family dinners for 30 minutes of intentional connection, the concept has always remained the same–spending time together is important.

How can you create more memories? The secret is in cultivating moments.

Can you work any of these ideas into your routine?

• Weekly (or Monthly) Family Game Nights
• Sunday Football as a Family
• Buy a Telescope and Spend Some Time Stargazing
• Commit to a Standard Celebration for Major Milestones
• Once-a-Month Movie Night
• Start a New Tradition

Our family makes it a tradition to go out for dinner and ice cream to celebrate birthdays. We also make it a tradition to spend a weekend in Branson, Missouri, during the holidays. And this new year, we plan to spend a little more time exploring where we live with a monthly expedition. 

2. Share a New Experience

Another surefire way to strengthen bonds is to share a new experience together. Having a new experience tends to elicit strong emotions. Take a moment to think about how exciting it is to visit a big theme park for the first time. Think about how scary it can be to ride your first roller coaster.

And think about how elated you are after you conquer your fear and actually do it! Now multiply those feelings when you share them with people you genuinely love. That’s the power of sharing new experiences to build and strengthen family bonds.

If you choose an activity that is appropriate for all ages of your family then everyone is experiencing a shared emotional connection. 

Here are some ideas:

• Go to a Unique Restaurant or try a new cuisine
• Sign Up for Dancing Lessons or a Cooking Class
• Learn a New Language
• Go on a Road Trip to Somewhere You’ve Never Been
• Take Up Running as a Family Hobby and challenge Yourselves to a 5K
• Explore Nature with a Geocaching Challenge

It doesn’t have to be big to be purposeful. Try committing to one new experience the next time your family has a few free hours on an available weekend.

3. Do Something Good, Together

You don’t have to sell your home and all your belongings and become world-traveling missionaries. That would be a noble, but radical choice. Still, your family can benefit from spending some time together focused on a worthy cause.

When you commit to a shared purpose and values, you build community. So, sit down with your family and brainstorm some causes that everyone feels are important. Then do some research and choose one organization that you can all rally around. Pick a day and a time–and make it happen.

You might be surprised to learn that this experience will enhance empathy and compassion among your family members, directly improving your interpersonal relationships in the process. Plus, everyone benefits from a feel-good dopamine release resulting from doing something good.

Here are a few easy ideas to get you started:

• Visit a local nursing home and play board games with the residents.
• Participate in a Habitat for Humanity Build Project
• Organize a Local Disaster Relief or Humanitarian Project Drive
• Challenge Each Other to a Random Act of Kindness 
• Take On an Ambassador Role for Your Favorite Organization and Get Your Steps In
• Walk Dogs at the Animal Shelter
• Make Your Documentary Video Highlighting a Need and an Impact

4. Practice Gratitude with Intentionality

The power of positivity is infectious. Practicing gratitude as a family is a wonderful way to cultivate a positive outlook and foster a sense of appreciation and happiness in your household. 

Here are several ways families can practice gratitude together:

• Create a Gratitude Jar 
• Go Around the Table Before Dinner and Share What You Are Grateful For
• Write Thank You Notes Every Week
• Share a Story with a Theme of Gratitude
• Participate in a Mindfulness Meditation Together
• Share Highlights of Your Day Before Meals

We’re naturally positive people, so gratitude isn’t that big of a challenge for us. However, as we look into the new year, I think it would be an amazing idea to write one of the collaborative stories with a common theme of gratefulness. 

5. Plan a Memorable Family Vacation

Speaking of capitalizing on emotions, consider how sharing the experience of planning and taking a family vacation factors into strengthening your relationships. Even if you’re the type of family that vacations every year–there’s a big opportunity to make this year’s trip extra special (and even more memorable). 

A family vacation combines new experiences, intentional time together, and high-powered emotions all into one achievable to-do item. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our complete guide >> How to Plan Your Family Vacation.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Visit a National Park
• Book a Week at a Beachside Getaway
• Explore a New Culture (Check out Eureka Springs or Native American)
• Enjoy the Thrill of a Theme Park
• Take a Safari
• Embark on a Cruise
• Rent an RV and Road Trip 
• Stay on an Island
• Rent a Lake House for a Week (or Two)
• Spend a Weekend in Your Favorite City
• Take a Camping Trip

6. Explore Where You Live

If the idea of a big vacation is financially out of reach, or you’re looking for something to fill your weekends in between bigger travel plans–don’t forget to experience the gems where you currently live.

If you’re in the Ozarks region, there’s so much to choose from.

Explore dozens of caves, visit the Wonders of Wildlife and Bass Pro Shops HQ in Springfield, Missouri, or Hike your way through the Mark Twain National Forest in the Missouri Ozarks.

If you’re in Arkansas, consider hitting the MTB trails in Bentonville, take an easy hike to see waterfalls, or float the Buffalo River in the Arkansas Ozarks. 

In Oklahoma, immerse yourself in Native American culture at the Cherokee Visitors Center, dine from the delectable menu of the Pioneer Women Mercantile Restaurant, or spend the day playing at the Gathering Place in Tulsa to make the most of a free day in the Oklahoma Ozarks. 

7. Adopt Healthy Habits as a Family

Healthy habits, like clean eating, regular exercise, and taking time out for mental health has benefits far beyond personal health. These habits can also improve your interpersonal relationships, making your family healthier and happier together. 

Here are a few easy-to-change habits to try:

• Take a walk around town as a family after dinner
• Shift family meal options to lean proteins with lots of vegetables
• Limit screen time (use family contracts and parental controls as necessary)
• Eliminate soda and sugary drinks from your home
• Institute Mental Health Check-Ins for the Whole Family
• Spend More Time Outdoors

8. Adopt a Screen-Free Day on the Weekends

In addition to the physical and mental health benefits of unplugging, less time on devices means more time communicating with each other. Choose a day and make it a screen-free day for the whole family. This means no texting, no social media, and no endless scrolling. 

The key to making screen-free days enjoyable for everyone is to pick activities that will occupy the time. Here are a few ideas:

• Go for a Bike Ride
• Put a Puzzle Together
• Have a Bake Off
• Do a Group Craft Project
• Go to the Library and Spend Time Reading Together
• Plant a Garden (and Keep it Up)
• Visit a Local Attraction Like a Zoo or Aquarium
• Head Outdoors for a Picnic
• Tackle a Big Project Around the House

We’ll be spending our screen-free Saturdays riding bikes on the All-American MTB Trail, at Devil’s Den State Park, and at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve.

9. Get Everyone Involved in Preparing for the Unexpected

Make your goal more purposeful by taking time out of the daily grind to plan and prepare for unexpected situations. In the aftermath of an earthquake, tornado, or other natural disaster, you want to have a plan, and you want everyone to know what that plan is.

So, maybe next Saturday is the perfect time to get everyone on the same page. 👍

Here are some ideas:

• Practice Emergency Drills at Home
• Take a First Aid Training Course
• Put Together a Household Emergency Kit
• Complete Household Safety Checks
• Learn About Budgeting and Financial Preparedness
• Create a Communication Plan
• Learn Navigation and Orienteering Skills
• Take a Self-Defense Class
• Make a Pet Preparedness Plan

10. Tackle a Big Project–Together

The typical American family has a never-ending to-do list of projects for which there never seems to be enough time or money to complete. If you’re looking for meaningful ways to spend more time together as a family, pick one project per month and take it on as a family.

Here are some ideas:

• Clean Out and Organize the Garage
• Remodel a Room (If Skills Allow)
• Improve the Landscaping (and Curb Appeal)
• Plant Trees
• Create a DIY Home Decor Project
• Create a Home Gym
• Redecorate a Bedroom
• Make a Family Recipe Book

Build Happier, Healthier, Stronger Family Bonds

There are thousands of ideas for ways to spend your time. Resist the urge to phub your family as you get sucked into hours, days, or weeks of screen time and spend those hours bonding with your family instead.