It’s always a challenge to find the time to really connect as a family, especially in this modern world where everyone has a million activities and things to do all the time.

Studies show that family time can enhance social development, encourage a healthy self-esteem and create strong bonds, so how do you fit it all in? Luckily, winter is a GREAT time to ‘hibernate’ at home and get back to basics with your family.

We’ve pulled together some great ideas to get the family reconnected this winter:

1. Bake and movie night

Ask everyone in the family to think of a yummy recipe that they’d like, make it together and enjoy whilst watching a movie. There are LOTS of yummy little treats you can make, kids LOVE getting involved and everyone reaps the rewards when it’s movie time.

2. Board game night

What’s more fun than a family board game night? There are some brilliant new games out there, along with some of the classics (Monopoly…. Play at your own risk haha). You could try a new game each week – Jenga, Pictionary, Pie Face (hilarious by the way… when you’re not the one getting hit!), Pictionary, Uno, Beat the Parents OR you could do what my family recently did and make up your own ‘minute to win it’ game where everyone has to prepare a task that needs to be completed in under a minute which makes for a super funny night!

3. Sunday roast

Everything about the Sunday Roast says family. Ask family members (or friends who have become your family) to come round and make it happen every week if you can. The kids get time to connect with everyone and it’s a fun little tradition to start doing – childhood memories are made with family traditions!

4. Christmas in July

Christmas is fun, so why only have it once a year? Set up a Christmas in July theme at your place, make decorations and cook up a feast to share. You don’t have to give presents – draw names out of a hat and ask everyone to make a small gift for the person they drew out. It’s a relatively cost effective fun family celebration that is sure to become a yearly event!

5. Dinner by candlelight

It’s such a novelty to eat by candlelight, many kids haven’t ever experienced the warm and cosy feeling candlelight gives. It’ll be the talk of the table for quite a while!

6. Rug up and go stargazing

Have you ever stood outside and stared at a clear and magical winter sky? It’s amazing. Turn all the lights off around you for maximum effect and spending time just looking up. Your kids will be amazed, and, just quietly, you will as well!

7. Question snake

This is a fun little thing my family like to do together, someone starts the ‘question snake’ (don’t ask me why we call it this….) and asks a family member a question. It has to be an open-ended question and the whole family have to pay respect and listen to the response (Yes, even the two year old whose answers make absolutely no sense and have the whole family in fits of giggles). Then the person who has given their answer gets to choose someone and ask a new question. It’s such a great way to teach listening skills and is fun to ask everyone to think up unique questions – you’ll learn a lot!

8. Firepit, roast marshmallows, rug up

It’s so nice to rug up and sit outside around a fire. Roast those marshmallows, make s’mores, make memories. The kids will LOVE it.

Do you have any great ideas to help reconnect with the family? We would love to hear your ideas. SHARE with us in the comments below.