How to Spend Time with Kids: Activities to Enjoy with Your Child Today. Make Time for Kids!
For many modern parents, long weekends or holidays can feel more challenging than weekdays: children and parents, who typically have structured schedules, may not know how to fill their free time and may even get tired of each other's company. What can you do to prevent this?Time spent with children is precious and can seem to go on forever. You might repeat "no" to your toddler for the hundredth time, put toys away in an endless loop, wipe down the kitchen after breakfast yet again, feel exhausted from helping with homework, or driving your child to and from extracurricular activities.
Yet, we all know that time flies. In the blink of an eye, a six-month-old becomes a six-year-old; kindergarten turns into school, and then adulthood with new adventures begins. Even though we are constantly caring for our kids, daily routines and busy schedules mean we often spend less real quality time together. These moments are when we get to know our children better—and when they get to know us—building stronger bonds and deeper understanding.
Time is our most valuable resource, and it can be especially hard for working moms and dads to find enough of it. Many working parents only get substantial time with their children on weekends. That's why it's so important to plan your schedule in a way that gives your loved ones the most attention possible.
Plan Family Weekends
Planning is key to organizing your time—including your free time. Don't make weekends an exception; plan ahead so that everyone can enjoy themselves and feel comfortable.
- Daily Routine. No matter your child’s age, try to maintain a consistent routine both on weekdays and weekends. If your family wakes at 7 am on weekdays, sleeping until 10 or 11 on weekends will not benefit anyone’s health—children or adults. Instead, compromise; for example, wake up at 9 am. Plus, early risers have more time for fun!
- Nutrition. If you’re planning a trip far from home, check if there’s a child-friendly café or restaurant at your destination. If you’re heading somewhere remote, plan ahead for meals and make sure to stock up on food and supplies in advance.
- Rest for Everyone. Make weekends fun and interesting, not just for the kids or just for adults. If you go to an amusement park on Saturday, perhaps visit friends on Sunday, where your child can play with peers and you can relax with a cup of tea.
Advice:
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Spend the Weekend Outdoors with Your Child
What could be better than spending family time outdoors? Of course, weather doesn't always cooperate, but if it isn’t raining or too windy, take the opportunity to go outside! There are countless ways to enjoy weekends outdoors:
A walk in the park, woods, or by the waterfront is enjoyable for both children and adults. Young children will love exploring unique stones, sticks, and plants, and will listen to your stories with delight. Older kids will enjoy collecting leaves or cones for crafts and, of course, playing active games outside—like tag, hide and seek, or soccer. If you’re planning a picnic, think about fun activities as well as food; bring a ball, badminton set, or boomerang. Every season brings its own outdoor adventures.
- In the summer, gather flowers and berries in the woods.
- In the autumn, search for mushrooms—and maybe start a contest to see who can fill their basket fastest.
- In the winter, go skiing, ice skating, or sledding; in early spring, build snowmen or have snowball fights.
- In the spring, plan a real campout with your family. Try fishing with Dad, cooking on a campfire with Mom, and sharing stories around the bonfire for unforgettable memories.
If your children are school-aged, you might play volleyball or basketball at the local sports court, rollerblade, or cycle together. Family bike rides can even become a cherished tradition. Don’t forget to snap photos and take selfies—these will keep the memories alive and make outings more fun.
Visit Places and Attend Events Together
Most cities offer a variety of options for family weekends. Your choices will depend on interests and budget: children's cafés, amusement parks, entertainment centers, recreational areas with swings and slides, swimming pools, sports centers, even ice rinks or horseback rides. Boys may love visiting the gym with Dad, while girls might enjoy a dance or fitness class. Consider trips to museums, exhibitions, or fairs—any shared activity can bring joy, bring you closer, and provide opportunities to experience new things together.
Visit Friends or Relatives with Your Child
Visiting friends or family, especially those with children around the same age, can be a great way to spend the day. The children can play while adults relax and chat. If the kids are young, bring some paper or a roll of wallpaper for a giant drawing session. For older children, bring a building set or board games. And if they’re happily playing on their own, let them enjoy their time independently.
Do Household Chores Together
Children learn valuable life skills by spending time with you and helping with daily tasks. If something needs fixing at home, involve your child by asking them to hold a flashlight or pass tools, and explain what you’re doing. What may be ordinary for you can feel like an exciting activity for them—so let them join in more often.
How to Spend Time with Your Child at Home?
If work keeps you at home, try including your child in your activities. Let them "assist" you or simply keep you company. Even when home-based, there are plenty of creative ways to have fun together.
Here are some ideas for entertaining your child at home:
- Have a pajama party together.
- Include your child in simple household chores—share your experiences and tips.
- Take your child along for work-related visits; show them your workplace and what you do.
- Play your child’s favorite games.
- Make holiday crafts together.
- Organize family meals—lunches or dinners where everyone helps.
- Build a blanket fort using chairs and available materials.
- Throw a dance party and put on your favorite songs.
- Look through old photo albums and reminisce about past memories.
- If you have a video camera, make a movie about your family.
- Play board games like “Dixit” or “Munchkin.”
- Hide “treasures” and organize a treasure hunt.
- Play dress-up, trying on costumes of famous people or friends.
- Have a themed at-home photo session with topics your child enjoys.
- Learn and practice origami together.
- Build a toy fortress from cardboard boxes and tape.
- Play “snowball” fights indoors using rolled-up socks.
- Arrange a movie night with popcorn and a movie you’ll both enjoy.
Parenting Tips:
- Be spontaneous.
- Avoid strict control—fun comes from freedom, not rules.
- Use your imagination.
- Give your child autonomy—this helps you both.
- Don’t get discouraged.
- Get creative and look for new activities with everyday items.
- Try to end the day calmly, discussing what your child enjoyed or found interesting. Encourage them to draw or reflect on the day before bedtime.