The teen years can make it more difficult to spend meaningful time together as a family. Teens generally want to spend more time with their peers during these years and even when they are home, they tend to retreat to their bedrooms and scroll social media or play video games. And yet, quality family time remains essential for healthy development, as teens who spend time with their parents experience fewer depressive symptoms, stronger stress resilience, and greater coping skills.
Quality time helps create strong bonds with trust and open communication, which are critical safety nets for teenagers as they navigate many challenges during this period. Here are 6 exciting ways to spend meaningful time with your teenager and make memories together.
Plan a movie night
Teenagers love a good movie, so why not plan a movie night as a way to spend quality time with them? Get cozy on the couch, grab some popcorn, and get immersed in a different world for a few hours. It’s a good idea to ask them what they would like to watch, to make sure that they won’t get bored with the movie.
Also, to make things more interesting, consider coming up with some conversation starters that will allow you to connect with your teen as you share your ideas. For instance, you can ask them which character they found most interesting, as well as which character they liked the least, and so on.
Share a hobby
Choose a hobby that you and your teenager enjoy and do it together. It could be cooking, hiking, playing sports, or reading – any kind of activity you feel passionate about. This is an excellent way to bond and gives you something fun to look forward to.
It’s a good idea to pursue a mutual hobby at least once a week: for instance, you could plan on taking a hike every Sunday morning or going to yoga classes together. Also, don’t be afraid to try new learning experiences, such as photography and mountain biking—trying new adventures is a great way to make long-lasting memories together!
Attend a concert with them
Going to a live concert with your teenager can be an exhilarating experience! Besides, taking them to see their favorite bands or artists perform live is a thoughtful gesture that lets them know you respect their musical preferences.
Just remember to do some research before you attend the concert to get an idea of what to expect. You will have to arrive there on time as it will allow you to find a parking spot, check out the merch booth, and grab refreshments before the beginning of the show. And once the concert begins, be sure to have fun! Sing and dance along, as stepping out of your comfort zone will matter and this time spent together will become a moment that you treasure forever.
Take a day trip
Choose a town where you can go on a day trip and spend time exploring the attractions together. You can check out restaurants, parks, museums, and shops – anything outside of your normal routine will be just great. If your teenager grew up with Miffy’s stories, you could also visit Miffytown together to experience the world of the cute bunny. It’s a fun and interactive experience, where all sorts of activities take place, and at the end, you can shop for some merchandise at the miffy gift shop.
Your teen will likely be delighted to spend time there and will treasure the memory forever. Check out https://miffytown.com/ to learn more about how to plan your visit and what to expect from your experience.
Host a family game night
Unplug from devices and electronics for an evening and spend time bonding as a family by playing board games. From Charades to Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly, there are plenty of options to choose from, allowing you to have lots of fun together. Or, if you prefer something simpler, you can always go for classic card games such as Crazy Eights or Rummy.
Playing games together is an exciting way to build memories and at the same time, create friendly competition. It is a good idea to establish a routine to get everyone accustomed to the game-night routine, so consider choosing a day of the week, such as Friday or Saturday night – and mark the day on the calendar so that everyone knows they shouldn’t make any plans for that specific time. Remember to keep the focus on joy and connection rather than winning or losing – after all, it’s all supposed to be fun!
Volunteer together
Giving back to the community is an incredibly rewarding experience, so consider looking for volunteering opportunities in your area and asking your teenager to join you. This can be walking dogs at an animal rescue or serving meals at a homeless shelter.
Volunteering is a great way to spend time together but at the same time, it can be an opportunity for your teenager to learn about the value of helping others, and to explore interests and gain new skills and real-world experience.
The bottom line
Teen years fly by rapidly, and before you even realize it, your child will become an independent adult. This is why investing time in building your relationship now is so important, so make sure to seek opportunities to bond with them as much as you can. Quality time together strengthens your connection, trust, and empathy, and it can even give you the chance to talk about difficult subjects that you wouldn’t talk about otherwise. Besides, it is a great way to model healthy behaviors through guidance and encouragement. When you practice positive parenting by being involved in the life of your teenager, you instill values like empathy, kindness, patience, teamwork, and perseverance.
Remember, even the smallest gestures, such as cooking together or taking a trip, can make a major difference. By making time spent with your teenager a priority, you can build a love foundation that lasts a lifetime.