Throughout my life, my mom’s side of the family has had several family reunions, which I have always enjoyed. One of my favorite memories from our family reunions is tubing down a river together. Of course, not everyone participated, but there are always around a dozen of us.
In the groups we split off into, we had to work together and communicate to maneuver around trees, rocks, and rapids. We were not always successful, but we had good laughs when we ran into things or got soaking wet in the freezing water.
Tubing down a river of freezing cold water may not be your idea of a fun family activity, but that’s ok. There are a wide variety of activities to choose from.
Variety of Options
From playing card games at home, to going out and serving your community, to playing a sport in your backyard, to working on a project at home together, to cleaning the house, to going on vacation, your options are limitless.
Share in the comments your favorite memory of a family activity you participated in.
“Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”
-The Family: A Proclamation to the World1
Benefits of Family Activities
Resilience, cooperation, happiness, stronger family bonds, friendship, loyalty, and trust, are some of the benefits of participating in family activities together. A research study by Cho (2014), found that resilience is developed through working together, cooperating, and engaging in the activities with a positive attitude.2
There are also general physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional benefits of family activities. Sports and outdoor activities are fun ways to exercise as a family. Studying the gospel and singing hymns together provide spiritual boosts. Intellectual improvement can result from reading or learning a new skill as a family. Time together having fun and laughing provide emotional benefits.
Laughing Together
In a 2019 study, Zhoa, et. al stated, “This meta-analysis revealed that laughter and humour interventions are effective in relieving depression, anxiety, and improve sleep quality in adults.”3
My dad always keeps our family laughing with his quick-witted jokes. Laughing and joking lightens the mood, makes cleaning more fun, and strengthens our family bond.
The Importance of Serving Each Other
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I believe there are prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ here on the earth today. Spencer W. Kimball, the prophet from 1973-1985, said,
“Happiness comes from unselfish service. And happy homes are only those where there is a daily striving to make sacrifices for each other’s happiness.”4
Serving each other is one of the most important activities we can participate in together. It is a lot more fun to clean the house together as a family than for each of us to clean by ourselves (especially when we turn on some music and sing while we’re cleaning).
As we work together, we lighten the load we all must carry. Working as a family can lessen the stress felt by parents. You all know the saying, “Many hands make light work.”
Family Activities
I love spending time with my family. Our time together strengthens me and my relationships with them. I have grown as a person as I have spent time with them.
Check out my Family Activity Binder for activity ideas to strengthen your family.