8 Ways to Create More Quality Family Time (Even When Busy)

We all know the phrase..the days are long and the years are short; and if you’re in the thick of parenthood right now, you feel that in your bones. Life moves fast and quality family time can easily get pushed to the bottom of the list behind school schedules, work deadlines and the general chaos of everyday life.

I think a lot about what I call family health — the emotional connection, the shared laughs, the traditions, the simple moments that hold a family together. It looks different for everyone but the need for it is universal. And in our busy, over-scheduled world it takes real intentionality to protect it.

If you are feeling the crush of a busy season with kids and looking for simple, doable ways to create more quality family time without overhauling your whole life — you’re in the right place.

8 Ways to Make Quality Family Time Actually Happen

None of these ideas require a major life adjustment or a packed weekend itinerary. Small, consistent efforts add up and your family will feel the difference.

1. Make Family Meals a Habit

Research shows that children who grow up in families that eat meals together thrive.  They are healthier overall, perform better academically, and are even less likely to engage in risky behaviors when older (i.e., drugs, alcohol, unhealthy relationships). 

A family meal does not have to be everyone sitting around the table ready to eat a homemade dinner. A family meal can be accomplished in a variety of ways.

Simple family dinner ideas for connection

• A traditional, around-the-dinner table, evening meal
• Carryout pizza on the living room sofa with a Friday night movie
• Brunch at your family’s favorite breakfast spot
• Saturday morning coffee and donuts at the local park

We are currently in a season of life where my three kids are teens and pre-teens going in a dozen different directions. Getting everyone to the table at the same time every night? Not realistic. But having our family come together for a meal 2-3 times a week is really important to me — even if that means dinner happens at 8pm on a Tuesday or we make Sunday evening our reset before the week begins. Being flexible with when and how it happens is honestly what makes it doable.

2. Limit Scheduled Extracurriculars for Kids 

This is tough as I know many kids love playing sports and doing different activities (my own included) but chances are one or two recreational sports per season is all he/she really needs. 

Practices, games, and team requirements take up a lot of time.  More than one child?  Then the driving around and added responsibilities really get crazy. Extracurriculars are great for a child’s development but an overplanned, rushed schedule that has them hopping from one thing to another is not.

Consider how much you and your child can take on each season. Talk to your children about what they truly enjoy so you know what activities to prioritize. Be honest with yourself too!

3. Set Device-Free Time at Home 

Regarding devices such as iPads and phones, out of sight, out of mind.  It is less tempting to be on a device when it is not readily accessible. 

Keep iPads, phone or other devices hidden or in a “no-use space” making them a non-option (having a drop zone for this can be helpful). This allows more opportunity for interactive family time such as playing a board game, doing an art project or watching a family movie together on the living room TV (yes, a screen, but better than everyone hiding on their personal devices).

This is especially important for nighttime – to keep devices out of bedrooms (especially teenagers). This encourages quality sleep and better mental health overall.

4. Go Outside

Getting outside is vital to everyone’s wellbeing and can be an easy way to fit in some simple quality family time. It doesn’t have to be a major outing, any way to get outside together can provide an excellent opportunity to get away from screens and take a breather from home responsibilities.

Outdoor activities for quality family time

• Playground or park with areas for ball play, bike riding, etc.
• Take a family bike ride
• Skatepark
• Short local hikes
• Walk around the neighborhood
• Take all kids to a sibling’s outdoor sports practice where they can play on the sidelines or at nearby play area
• An evening stroll with flashlight
• Take the family dog for a walk together
• The beach, local pool, or waterpark (many cities have city-owned pools or parks for low cost or free entry)
• Spend 20 minutes in the backyard after dinner

5. Give Yourself Permission to Say No

Be willing to miss social or voluntary activities and try to withstand the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). I experience this myself, and especially in today’s social media world, FOMO can be an ongoing issue. We see everyone doing all these amazing things and think “we should be doing that or why weren’t we invited?” I am guilty of this too!

But it is okay to miss out. You and your family don’t have to be at every social event. Lower the FOMO and increase quality family time by being confident in these two thoughts:

1. White space on the calendar is okay. 
2. Being alone as a family is okay.

Every minute of every day does not need to be booked.  Be willing to say no to social requests sometimes so your family can focus on quality time together.

6. Spend One-on-One Time With Each Child

Perhaps your quality family time means just being with your spouse or only one child – not everyone at once. Your family health may depend at times on the parents spending time together or with individual children.  

Consider hiring a sitter for one child so you can spend time with the other(s).  This one-on-one time is beneficial to overall family health as long as you take turns with each child (no picking favorites :).   An ice cream date or even a grocery store run with one of your kids could be just the family time he/she needs to be reminded of how important they are to you.

7. Communicate 

You and your parenting partner must communicate about all things family: goals, priorities, and ways they can be accomplished. With everyone on the same page, you can more easily find and agree on ways to honor quality family time.

Shared communication ideas for a family

• Share a calendar (digital or paper)
• Write down important messages on a whiteboard in central area of the house
• Send weekly texts for reminders
• If a long-term calendar is overwhelming, only post the family weekly schedule in a place where everyone can see. Be sure to note a family dinner, walk or activity together!
• Hold a (short) monthly family meeting — even by group chat or FaceTime — to check in with each other

8. Establish a Weekly Commitment

Blocking time into the calendar every week for the same time, day and location helps set the habit and becomes a commitment that you aren’t as likely to break.

This could be weekly activities such as Saturday pancake breakfast, Sunday morning church, Friday pizza and a movie, Tuesday night bowling. Whatever your family loves!

Life is busy and you want to keep your family active; however, slowing down and simply being together is just as important.  This balance is hard in today’s world, but keeping it in place will greatly benefit your family health. 

Ways to Connect As a Family

Simple picks that our family enjoys to make quality time even better.

• Ticket To Ride board game – easy for all ages, doesn’t take long to learn or play
• Ravensburger puzzle – high quality puzzles with 500-1000 piece options for small groups
• Uno – classic card game that is quick to play and gets everyone involved easily
• Cozy throw blanket – encourage a family movie night with comfy blankets on the sofa for hanging out and being together (my favorite dupe for a popular brand!)

Simple Moments Are the Ones That Matter Most

Life is full and busy and that’s not going to change anytime soon. But slowing down and simply being together without an agenda, without a screen, without somewhere to be, is one of the most valuable things you can do for your family. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive or perfectly planned.

Pizza on the sofa, an evening walk, the late dinner that finally gets everyone around the table — that’s the stuff your kids will remember. Protect that time and your family health will thrive.