Top 10 Ways to Spend Quality Time with the Kids
Adapted from Wayne Parker
The most precious thing a parent can give his or her kids is time. A personal investment in your children is much more important to them than any toy, video game or electronic gadget. Here are some great, and sometimes creative ways to get together with your kids in a positive way.
Younger children especially love stories. And it is a fun way for you to invest time in their lives. Find out how to become a great storyteller and enjoy making believe with your kids.
2. Plan a picnic
During the spring and summer time, kids love to be outdoors. Plan a family picnic—food, games and fun.
While it is great to hit the big amusement parks during summer vacation, families tend to spend more time apart than together in that kind of setting. Find out how you can plan an effective, positive and rewarding summer vacation and really be together.
It is frightening how important the television has become in some families. Sitting together and watching TV is entertaining, and sometimes educational, but it doesn’t foster quality together time and interaction. Turn off the TV and focus on your family.
5. Spend the evening together
Our family has had a great experience over the years with setting aside one night each week for the family and only the family.
6. Grow a garden
It’s outside and you get your hands dirty! What can be better than that for a great parent-activity? Explore the world of gardening and find ways to involve your children in this interesting and positive activity.
So many families struggle to find time to interact. Many families have found one key to more time together—planning mealtimes for family involvement and commitment. Find ways to make your family mealtime a together time. 
8. Help with homework
It seems like most of the hours after work are consumed with homework. Find some great resources and tips for being a top flight homework helper. Here’s a few to get you started. BJ Pinchbeck's Homework Helper @ www.bjpinchbeck.com ;KidsConnect @ www.ala.org/ICONN/kidsconn.html; KidsClick! @ www.kidsclick.org
Even during the winter months, there are things parents and kids can do together. Snow Painting: A Great Idea. Some of our friends have taken up snow painting as a fun family activity. All you need is a few water bottles with a squirt top, some water and food coloring and some snow. Fill each bottle with water and some food coloring and then head outside. A little imagination and some creativity will result in some great works of art. If your area does not have snow, you can use an old white T-shirt tacked to a piece of cardboard.
10. Hit the road
Consider loading your family up for a road trip. While time cooped up in car is not considered quality time by some, it can create great memories and a chance to talk and interact in a different and enjoyable activity.
