7 Fun and Simple Family Traditions to Start This Year
If you are looking for some new ways to start making memories with your family this year, and for years to come, look no further! I have a list of family traditions and rituals that will spark some creativity when it comes to bonding as a family.
I think family traditions are not only fun, but an important and super easy way to create strong bonds within your family.
Each family has such a unique and special story to tell. Between living in different places, having different experiences, both good and bad, it is important to commemorate the things that make your family so special.
These traditions do not have to be elaborate, or expensive, or even take up much time. You do not have to necessarily stick to holidays, though holiday traditions make them extra special as well!
These family traditions are great ways to make lasting memories, and are easy to implement and stick to year after year.
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1. Friday Family Pizza and Movie Night
This is one we personally do as a family! We do individual pizzas. We either make pizza dough or pick some up, the kids love to put the sauce and cheese on it.
Then we pick a movie and watch it as a family while we eat our pizza, every Friday evening! The kids love it and even remind us if they think we are going to forget! This is a super simple and memorable family tradition.
2. Family Game Night
This could even be on the same night as pizza night if you wanted! Pick a different (or the same one) game on whichever night you pick, and play together!
It does not even have to be the same night every week. It could be a sporadic surprise for the kids, whenever everyone is free of activities.
3. Christmas Cookie Baking
This one is obviously a holiday tradition, but we love to bake cookies with the kids at Christmas time.
Then, we often put them into little packages and give them out to friends and family. Of course, we have to bake some for Santa as well!
4. Parent and Child Dates
I have always loved taking my son or daughter (or both) out on little dates, but particularly when they started school.
I don’t get to see them as often, so I will sometimes take one or the other out of school early, or even keep them home, just to have a special day with them. If that is not possible, you can also take each child out whenever the other(s) are being watched by another parent, grand parent or guardian.
Whatever works for you, giving your children special one on one time is important and makes a significant impact! Plus it’s so much fun!
5. Dance Parties
We often have dance parties in our house! It is also a memory I have from my childhood that has stuck with me, so I want that for my own kids as well.
It is especially good to do when everyone is in a grumpy mood, or you are hitting that afternoon slump. There’s nothing like a dance party to raise everyone’s mood and get the energy flowing!
6. Family Trips to a Special Spot
We live very close to an ocean, so we have a few special spots near the water that we love to take the kids. They throw rocks, and we enjoy the peace of the water flowing and happy kids playing.
7. Bigger Family Trips, and Camping Trips
Big family trips are not always a possibility for all families, but I think if they are possible they are beneficial! I love the idea of a family trip for birthdays, even if it is not a huge across the world trips. A road trip for a few nights is just as special!
If your family loves to camp, that’s also a great idea as well. We are not personally a camping family, but a few nights in nature, surrounding a campfire, roasting marshmallows and enjoying nature and each other’s company – what could be better than that!?
These are just a few simple traditions and rituals to get your family bonding. If you don’t like any of these, maybe they sparked some of your own ideas special to your family! What other family traditions or rituals would you add?
