| It is so easy these days to let work, school, and | | | | Games like Life, or Candy Land, dominoes, and card |
| business rule our lives, and it is easy to lose touch with | | | | games like Uno can all be very popular. You need to |
| the other members of our family. A great way to | | | | be considerate about the choice of game - would |
| counteract this and build family communication and | | | | every family member, for instance, enjoy Scrabble? Or |
| togetherness is to hold a weekly toy game hobby | | | | would the thinking and spelling seem like work to some |
| night. If you have a family get-together one night each | | | | of the kids? Some games, too, might take too long, so |
| week where everyone plays with the kids, with the | | | | the youngsters' attention span plays out. Some games, |
| kids' toys, this is great for parent-child bonding and will | | | | like Monopoly, encourage merciless competition, so the |
| quickly rekindle those family ties. | | | | losers can feel left out. Having said that, an important |
| Families with small children will probably focus more on | | | | aspect of family game evenings is that the kids learn |
| the toy aspect of the gathering. To get the most | | | | how to lose and still have fun. It's all about getting the |
| benefit, take the time to get down on the floor and | | | | right balance - don't lose too easily and obviously to |
| play with those youngsters. Push those trucks around | | | | the kids all the time, but don't mercilessly win every |
| and make engine noises along with the kids. Cuddle | | | | time, either. If some of the kids have a real problem |
| those dolls and call yourself "grandma" or "grandpa." If | | | | with losing, there are co-operative games available |
| your back can take it, let the kids take turns riding on | | | | where the whole family can be on the same team |
| your back while you crawl around the floor neighing like | | | | together. |
| a horse. Every kid loves that! | | | | It can also be really rewarding and fun to share |
| On summer evenings, the sand box at the local park | | | | hobbies as a family. Music-making can be particularly |
| can be a great place for bonding with your kids. Take | | | | rewarding. Remember the old Victorian tradition of the |
| along a variety of suitable sand toys - including a few | | | | family sharing parlour songs around the piano, in those |
| wheeled vehicles, various containers, toy garden tools, | | | | long-distant pre-TV days? Well, singing together can |
| and old kitchen utensils. In the sandbox with your kids, | | | | be a great family activity, not least because family |
| let your imagination run wild - you can create anything | | | | voices tend to be similar and blend well together. If |
| from castles to entire towns. | | | | singing isn't your cup of tea, how about square dancing, |
| Another great idea for a toy hobby night is modeling | | | | or some outdoor activity where the whole family can |
| dough. Old jar lids can be pressed into service as pans. | | | | participate - fishing, for instance. Or a sport like |
| With some small cookie cutters, let your kids enjoy | | | | badminton. There are endless fun night ideas - the |
| preparing a variety of delicious cookies and desserts. | | | | important thing is for the whole family to enjoy being |
| Turn a large box on its side - hey presto! - you have a | | | | together. |
| magic counter where the kids can proudly present | | | | Having a family fun night one evening each week will |
| their confectionaries. Don't forget to pretend to buy | | | | help you stay close to your kids as they grow up. It |
| and eat - and show your appreciation! | | | | keeps the bond of love fresh and the lines of |
| Slightly older kids might enjoy some fun board games. | | | | communication open. Plan a family fun night this week! |