7 Fun & Meaningful Family Traditions That’ll Unify, Encourage, & Teach Both You and Your Child

Do you feel that your connection is stronger with your phone than with the people living in your home?

Even with the extra time that we have had during the Coronavirus Pandemic at home, statistics have shown that we’re spending more time on streaming services, social media, shopping, and everything online overall.

If there’s anything this time should have taught us is that nothing is certain and therefore open our eyes to what, or more specifically who matters most.

There are countless ways that you and your family can reconnect and keep that connection strong and meaningful, now and moving onward.

Here are at least 7 fun and meaningful traditions that you can start doing as a family to help unify, encourage, and teach everyone, not just your kids but also you. 

1) Eat Together

Eating together as a family, at the table not in front of the TV, can encourage increased communication and unity amongst everyone.

Growing up, family meals, specifically dinnertime was a great opportunity to talk about our day, we would discuss at least one good thing that happened, and most times turned into a musical escapade.

There was even one time that a meal ended with my Dad making a Kleenex box banjo, my brother pounding on the table, my sister and I belting our hearts out with, with my Mom shaking her head with a smile on her face. This wasn’t odd but quite normal in our household, and we loved every moment!

You can even go a step further and make it a learning, skill-building opportunity by having everyone involved in meal planning to prepping to cooking to setting the table. 

2) Be Present

Have a designated place that everyone can put away their technology so that all may be present as you spend true quality time together. Yes, that includes YOU!

Whether it’s spending one on one time with one of your kiddos, or when you’re all together as a family, saying vs. showing that you’re spending time are two separate things.

When you’re around your child(ren), aim to show that you are all in and that this time with them means more than the notifications and dings coming from your phone.

Show that the person in front of you is of a higher priority than the little box in your hand or pocket. As you set this example, your kids will be more apt to take part and take time one on one or as a family more seriously and to heart.

3) Person of the Week

Each week, or every other week – whichever works best, pick a different person for your family to learn about together.

So often we are bombarded by people of influence that we don’t often take the time to think of who we want our kids to be influenced by for the better.

Choose people that have made a difference for the better and make sure that you’re intentional about who you choose and that you’re people of choice are diverse.

From background to race to gender to career path to their place in history to when they lived or they’re from. From political or religious individuals, musicians, scientists, authors, activists, the list is endless.

As you choose a different person, don’t just make it a dull history lesson that’ll leave your kids disengaged, bored out of their minds, and dreading this activity.

Read books about your person, based on the age of your child(ren), show visuals like pictures or little videos, watch movies and/or documentaries – and have snacks to go along with the viewing, have a discussion as a family about the person and their positive influence, and even go a step further by setting a goal as a family to implement a characteristic of that individual you learned about.

As they get older, have your child(ren) choose and take the lead in presenting that week’s person of influence too.

4) Spend Time Outdoors

Whether you all go out for an evening walk after dinner, go camping, go on nature walks or hikes, go to the playground, play in your backyard, go to a dog park if you have a family pet that could also use the exercise, or even if you just sit on your back porch and take in the fresh air or lay under the stars, being outdoors as a family has countless positives.

As you take the time together to disconnect from the stresses and speed of life, it can lower said stress levels, boost your immune system, enhance creativity, and the list is endless to the positive perks of being outdoors.

In other words, what’s not to like about taking time outside with your family?

5) Read

Reading as a family and/or one on one with your kids is a fabulous way to not only help them with their reading comprehension and learning skills, but is also a great way for them to build their imagination, enriches their love for learning and the world around them, instills in them greater compassion for others, and strengthens their bond with you as their parent.

When I was in elementary school, my Dad noticed the number of books I read and my ever-increasing love for reading. He took this opportunity to help deepen that love and spend quality time with me in sharing his love for books as well.

As we read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings together, yeah Tolkien can be hard to read at times, but I look back on that time with my Dad with such fondness, and it definitely strengthened our bond and made my love for reading soar. 

6) Volunteer/Acts of Kindness

Encouraging your kids to think outside of themselves through acts of service and random acts of kindness all year round, not just during specific holiday seasons is a great way to:
a) build a good work ethic
b) have increased self-confidence
c) develop leadership skills
d) enhance communication skills
e) transmit positive, life-long values

From the planned to the unplanned, take the time to seek out ways to teach your child(ren) how they can stand up for others, be a loving, active advocate, mindfully serve others, and love one another.

A few ways to do so could be through having some blankets and boxes of granola bars on hand for any homeless citizens you come across, making baked goods for people you know are in need of a pick-me-up, heart-attacking your local fire department, making a thank-you poster for your local hospital, and the ideas are endless. 

7) Personalized Family Activities

Now as much as I can go on on other ideas for family traditions you can do as a family, you would be amazed at what you can come up with yourselves.

Take the time to sit down as a family or discuss over a meal, wink wink, family activities that everyone would enjoy doing together.

Also, take this time to encourage every individual family member’s personal interests and have everyone involved. This can build a greater loving and more mindful family bond with one another.

Whether it’s by playing a sport or board game someone loves, going to see a musical or play, doing a craft or other handmade activity, even playing a video game that someone loves, be sure to collaborate quality time that all can take part in, and again with encouraging everyone’s interests by setting an example of not complaining or moaning but showing a sincere, active interest in everyone’s thoughts and ideas, creating an open environment of acceptance, creativity and increased love for each other. 

Time Well Spent

No matter what you decide to implement, whether it’s one of the ideas listed or something you decide upon as a family, make sure that you personalize it to your family’s needs and interests. Also don’t feel you have to do it all, again, choose what would be best for your family.

Any quality time you have together will always be time well spent, opening doors of understanding, love, and lasting bonds with each other.

Love may be expressed and received differently between each member of your family, however, it requires your time no matter how you show it. As one of my favorite quotes puts it: love is spelled T-I-M-E.


Now I’d like to hear from you, growing up, what was a family tradition that you enjoyed in your home?
Please comment below and share this post if it has been of value to you or could be of value to someone else.


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About the Author 

Hi there! I’m Stephanie Tracy, a freelance writer, and blogger for hire. I specialize in physical and mental health, parenting, and self-development. I create engaging, inspiring, and useful content to help businesses progress in making their viewers into customers. When I’m not writing, you can find me on the floor happily playing with my baby boy, walking in the park with my family, or indulging in a movie marathon with my husband.