Connecting with the kids in our lives is so important. Whether you are a parent or a teacher, bonding with your kids takes time, planning, and effort, but there are activities you can do easily to create a strong connection that will last a lifetime.
The ideas below are for both parents and teachers to bond with kids in a meaningful way. These 25 connecting with kids ideas are the perfect way to start developing those meaningful connections.
1. Make a Playlist
Whether you are at home or in a classroom, making a group playlist is a perfect way to connect with kids. You can start by having your children or kids pick the perfect songs, then play the playlist on shuffle each day. We play ours at breakfast every morning, and our daughter loves it!
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2. Take a Nightly Walk
Plan to take a walk at the same time each night for the perfect amount of quiet, screen-free family time. Let each family member choose the route on different nights. You can connect to each other even more by playing “I Spy” or having deep conversations on your stroll.
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3. Playing Puppets
Whether in a classroom or at home, playing with puppets is the perfect creative outlet to foster positive experiences between children and adults. Let children choose their puppets and help them make creative storylines. Kids will practice using their imagination in their everyday lives.
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4. Let Them Help!
Encourage kids to take ownership of the daily tasks around the house and/or classroom. Assign tasks where children will enjoy “taking the lead”, like helping put the dishes away or passing out daily papers. Even better, show the kids how you complete the task or what you do to make the task more fun.
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5. Pick Family Photos For Their Room Together
Letting your children pick meaningful photos takes 10-15 minutes but provides infinite opportunities for kids to show off their happy families. This sweet idea gives parents a perfect chance to connect with their kids during the entire process.
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6. Dance Party
Have a dance party with kids at home or in the classroom (this activity pairs perfectly with making a group playlist!). This is a fun activity for the entire family or class to get moving and have fun together.
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7. Plant a Garden
Planting a garden is the perfect activity to bond and teach your kids about sustaining life. Additionally, this is a great activity that requires attention on a regular basis, creating even more bonding time for the entire family.
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8. Volunteer Together
Volunteering and doing good together is the ultimate family bonding time. There is nothing more rewarding than working together to help others. This activity also is a great chance to explain compassion and empathy for all people.
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9. Get Active!
Get kids involved in physical fitness. Take a class together, go swimming together, or go for a run together. Even better, let kids pick an activity or class for the whole family to take. A weekly or monthly class can become a favorite family event to look forward to and it teaches healthy habits.
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10. Create a Secret Handshake
Creating a secret handshake with your little one is a fun way to share a moment anytime with your little one. Whether it’s before a game or on the way to school, doing the secret handshake will make your child feel special, and creating the handshake is a fun opportunity for kids to use their creativity.
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11. Create an Imaginary Town
This is a day kids activity for families or classes. Use sidewalk chalk (or building blocks! or crayons! etc.) to draw an imaginary town. Let each kid draw their own house and each parent or adult can draw their own as well. Then, show and tell and make the parent-child relationship stronger.
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12. Let Them Make the Rules
Give children ownership over the rules they have to follow at home or in the classroom. In a classroom, let the kids collectively develop the classroom rules they will follow, and at home, host family meetings to establish the rules of the house together.
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13. Spirit Days
Host family or classroom spirit days. Crazy hair day or sill sock day can go a long way for families and classes alike to bond and share in a fun activity. Kids will also love helping to come up with the spirit day themes.
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14. Become Journal Buddies
Journaling with each other is a brilliant way for parents and kids to spend a couple of minutes each day. Kids and parents will love reading personalized notes to each other. These connection moments will be remembered forever.
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15. Redecorate
As your kids get older and go through different stages in life, let them have a voice in redecorating their room. You can brainstorm fresh ideas together and go shopping together before decorating together. Furthermore, this is a brilliant idea to teach kids how to budget and learn about money.
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16. Plan a Getaway
Let your kids help you plan a family vacation. Kids will love researching and coming up with new ideas for where to go, what to do, and places to visit. Kids will be invested in the trip and look forward to bonding with their families.
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17. Family Talent Show
Host a family talent show where the entire family can showcase their skills. Give kids time to prepare and help them brainstorm their talent and act. Practice together for added fun, then put on a show that the whole family can enjoy.
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18. Create Decorations Together
This fantastic idea is the best opportunity for parents and adults to connect with kids through art. Whether it’s a dream catcher or a painting of the family dog, enlist the kids to help create decorations to display in the house.
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19. Create a Flag
Host a Family Meeting to create a flag that represents the whole family. Want even more fun and family time? Actually, make the flag and display the family flag in the house or in front of the house. This is also a fun classroom activity that kids will love.
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20. Create a Time Capsule
This is a fun activity for the whole family that can last decades (literally!). Create a family time capsule. Let kids contribute meaningful objects, artwork, etc. that they want to remember years down the road. Decorate the capsule box and bury it together. Then pick an agreed-upon date to open the box and enjoy the memories!
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21. Build a Website
Building a family or class website is a wonderful way to share cherished memories with your kiddos’ friends and family. Get them involved by inviting them to contribute to the website’s design and content before engaging them in a lesson on internet security and web development.
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22. Share Old Movies or Music
Sharing your old favorite movies or music is the perfect opportunity for parents to share their childhood and young adult memories with their kids. Enjoy a movie night while watching a classic or listen to old playlists together.
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23. Have a Cook-Off
Have a family cook-off where each child makes a recipe, with or without parental help depending on age. Each member of the family can cook part of a meal or a dish that follows a theme (cookie cookoff, anyone?!!).
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24. Create a Vision Board
Host a Family Meeting to create a vision board as a family. Let the kids contribute their ideas. Parents can provide examples and their own ideas as well. Make the board colorful and display it with pride. Use the board as a talking point throughout the week.
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25. Work on a Puzzle
Let the kids pick a puzzle to work on. Put the puzzle in a public area of the house and work on the puzzle together. Pick specific times to work on the puzzle or spontaneously work on it throughout the week. Display the finished product with pride!
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