There is something magical about spending time with your family. After all, the moments of laughter and joy transform into precious memories that can be reminisced. However, don’t you wish to spend more quality time with your family?

Unfortunately, you might not be dedicating as much time to your loved ones as you should. This decade of technological disruption has resulted in addictive distractions like smartphones. With the average time spent on mobile phones increasing, we’ve been spending less time elsewhere.

 

 

It is in your hands to grow your family bond and create priceless memories.

The Significance of Family Bonding

In the USA, there are more than 83 million families as of 2018. These families should be present for each other in both celebrations and trying times.

Bonding with your family is crucial as it:

1. Helps establish a sense of belonging
2. Increases self-esteem
3. Nurtures positive behaviors
4. Creates a stronger emotional bond
5. Improves the quality of future communication between family members

Did you know that American families spend an average of 37 minutes of quality time together every day?

 If that seems alright to you, think again. Compare the figure to the 3 hours and 43 minutes spent on mobile by the average US adult. In other words, the time spent on our mobile versus time spent with our family is in a ratio of 6 is to 1.

Here is what you can do to spend more quality time with your family.

Play Video Games

Do you love playing games at home?

Well, it can become a household tradition. Research confirms that playing video games with your family can result in better family satisfaction and higher closeness. So all you must do is choose a game, set a time and start having some fun. However, make sure the game is G-rated.

Games can even strengthen your cognition by improving your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. What can be better than bonding over technology instead of letting it take over us? So whenever you get the chance to play a couple of video games with your family, take advantage of the opportunity.

Visit an Indoor Arcade

When life feels monotonous, families can benefit from planning excursions. Perhaps you should consider visiting indoor arcades in CT as they are both entertaining and engaging. If all goes well, you can even decide to go there every month. After all, life can seem very dull when you spend too much time on the premises of your home.

If you’re young at heart and you enjoy playing classic arcade games like Grab-N-Win or Pac Man, arcades are perfect. Do yourself a favor and visit and one soon. Whether it be adults or children, both will feel energized by the stimulating environment.

Travel Abroad For a Family Vacation

Planning a vacation abroad can help you appreciate your home even more. We get to see our lives with a fresh perspective after any trip. After all, when you see new and exotic places, you realize how you value the comfort of your home. Moreover, it will help you form memories that will never be forgotten.

Don’t worry about the details as it is possible to have a family vacation without stress. Whatever you do, don’t overpack for the trip. Moreover, instead of panicking, try to set expectations for your children. When you explain to them how the tour will be and ask them to act responsibly, they will oblige.

Arrange A Family Picnic

A trip to the beach and a game of volleyball is all you need to have a wonderful time.

As soon as you approach a weekend with the perfect weather, take advantage of the opportunity, and arrange a family picnic. If you haven’t been to Greenwich beach and you are from Connecticut, you must go there. However, don’t forget to keep the essentials like sunscreen and water before the picnic.

When children grow up, they look back at picnics with warmth in their hearts. Picnics aren’t a big deal for you as an adult, but don’t forget how incredible it is for a kid. Moreover, exposing yourself to a sunny day will result in a healthy intake of Vitamin D.

Cook A Meal Together

If you wish to encourage teamwork within your family, consider cooking a meal together. After all, it is an engaging task that requires careful attention. Moreover, it can help you encourage hygiene practices like washing fruit and vegetables and using clean cutlery.

When you take this endeavor, delegate tasks appropriately, and supervise the actions of the younger ones.

It is a pleasant surprise to see how involved your children get in this exercise. However, you need to be careful when it comes to safety. Keep sharp objects away from the reach of children and don’t let them get near the stove.

Plan a Dinner at Some Restaurant

Do you and your family have a favorite restaurant? If the answer is yes, you should consider planning a dinner there. This way, whoever usually cooks in your house can have a break, and everyone can enjoy a delicious dinner. After all, you should ensure that your family members can overcome and prevent burnout.

It isn’t compulsory to visit only one restaurant all the time. You can also experiment with different restaurants and try fun, exotic dishes. Exposing yourself to various cuisines with your family can be exciting. You can bond over Turkish delights or Chinese Schezwan rice.

Family Movie Night

When all else fails, a movie night can be your savior. Enjoying a bowl of popcorn over a movie with your loved ones is fantastic. Regardless of whether you visit a cinema or watch a film over your home entertainment system, you will bond together.

Technology can also act as a medium for your family to bond over. Watching some wholesome content can prove to be fantastic for your family. Regardless of whether you view a Disney movie or a family flick, it will be worth it at the end.

Final Thoughts

Family members are spending more time near each other than they previously did. But unfortunately, most attention is directed towards devices instead of loved ones. Therefore, family members are effectively neglecting those who deserve love and care the most because of technology.

 

 

It has become necessary to spend quality time with your loved ones, especially if you have children. After all, the more time that you spend with your family, the better you will get along. Consider planning trips abroad or a fun movie night, and you will never regret it. You can even visit an arcade or arrange a picnic as they can make your day more delightful

Author Bio
Audrey Throne is the mother of a 3-year old and a professional blogger by choice. Throne is passionate about lifestyle, business, automotive, technology and management and blogs frequently on these topics.

Find her on Twitter: @audrey_throne.

When you think of Africa, you think of the big Five. The beautiful animals that have for a very long time been the biggest attraction on the continent.  They are fairly difficult to hunt and can be found in many parts of East Africa, including Kenya and Tanzania. What animals do the Big Five consist of, you may ask? Needless to say, the elephant is one of the most intriguing of the big Five. Then we have the African leopard, Cape buffalo, black rhino and the most popular one, the African Lion.

During your visit to Africa, seeing the Big Five is a must. Here are a few places you are more likely to spot these magnificent animals:

Maasai Mara

Home to the Maasai people in Kenya, Maasai Mara is one of the most visited National Parks in Africa. More because it is where you will be able to witness the great migration where thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River as part of their journey in search of grasslands.

Visiting the Maasai Mara will give you a chance to meet the Maasai people, learn about them and their deep-rooted culture. There is so much to do here – from game drives to bird watching, to hot air balloon safaris. You can also choose the kind of accommodation you would like here. Luxury, mid-range or budget.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is located in Tanzania. In this very vast landscape, you are bound to spot the Big Five. You should consider yourself very lucky if you happen to spot a Rhino though since the populations have decreased as a result of poaching. You will also most likely see the impala, Thompson’s gazelle, giraffe, warthog, antelope, bushbuck, oryx, eland, wildebeest and many more. Other carnivores over here include the very erratic African wolf, African lion, leopard, hyena, wild dogs, honey badger, and the cheetah. Also popular with many, the park has more than 500 different species of birds, including the ostrich, the Black crake, Ficher’s lovebird, Hartlaub’s turaco, the red and yellow barbet.

Ngorongoro Crater:

Ngorongoro Crater, found in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is famous for its concentration of wildlife and the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, gazelles and other animals. It is by far one of the most unique places in East Africa and also the world – the world’s largest caldera. There has been evidence of human evolution here, with hominid footprints dating back 3.6 million years. You may be lucky enough to spot the black Rhino here (chances of seeing these are more here than any other National Park in Tanzania).

In conclusion, if you are planning your African Safari in Tanzania or Kenya, make sure you do your research well and make your bookings well in advance.

Traveling with children can be fun, but it can also be exhausting and difficult if your destination city is not very kid-friendly. Seattle, Washington is one of the best places to travel as a family, because it is not too big, and it offers so many different activities and cuisines.

 

 

1. Visit the Seattle Aquarium

The aquarium is located right along the water. It has exhibits of the Puget Sound, tropical areas, marine mammals, as well as several others. The underwater dome is also an incredible sight. You can stand inside and look up into the water to see ocean life from below. For younger children, the family activity center offers hands-on activities and videos to teach kids about protecting the orcas in Puget Sound.

2. Discovery Park

For families who like to get outdoors, this is the place. Discovery Park has many hiking trails (all fairly easy) that go through trees or along the beach. It makes for gorgeous views, and if the kids get tired of hiking, they can always visit the playground to run around and have a good time!

3. Gas Works Park

This park was formerly the Seattle Gas Light Company. It is no longer in use, so kids can run around and even climb on some of the old equipment. It is located right on the water, which makes it perfect for parents to walk around and enjoy gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean while the kids run off some steam.

4. Pike Place Fish Market

Although the smell might be a little off-putting at first, the fish market can actually be a ton of fun! Fish freshly caught from the ocean comes in at all times of the day. Workers will yell out to each other, and then toss whole fish around the shops. Huge fish and crabs rest on ice out in the open, so families can walk by and just observe, or they can purchase some fresh seafood for dinner.

5. Fremont Troll

On Aurora Ave, a giant troll sculpture hides underneath a bridge. It’s holding an old Volkswagen Beetle like it just snatched the little car off the road. Kids can climb on the troll and take pictures, although it may be a little scary for very young children. It makes for a good fall time/ Halloween activity.

6. The Great Wheel

This Ferris wheel is the tallest on the West Coast. It is 53 meters high and offers incredible views of the water, all from inside a fully enclosed car. On Fridays and Saturdays, the wheel stays open until midnight year-round. Although the lines may be long, it will be well worth the wait.

7. T-Mobile Park

The home of the Seattle Mariners was named Safeco Field until 2019. Although it has a new name, the stadium still offers incredible baseball games. For kids who love the sport, T-Mobile Park is a great place to watch. The food is also incredible, with many options to choose from- the Mariners even have their own famous garlic fries! Baseball is a classic family activity and is perfect for even the youngest members.

8. Starbucks

The first Starbucks was opened in Seattle in 1971, and has grown into a massive business since then. Although the coffeeshops can be found nation-wide, it’s always fun to stop by the original one. Kids will love getting a drink or a snack because it will make them feel very grown-up. The actual adults can take a quick break too, drink a little coffee or tea, and relax for a few minutes while the kids are busy eating.

9. Gum Wall

A classic Seattle stop is the gum wall, which is exactly what it sounds like. Over the years, people have stuck their gum to this concrete wall. A little gross? Maybe. But it also makes for an adorable, colorful background for a family photo. (And kids can make their own contribution to the artwork). Of course, just ensure that your babies or small children aren’t getting close enough to put any of it in their own mouths!

10. Dick’s Restaurant

Dick’s is an original Seattle drive-in. They offer juicy hamburgers, fresh-cut french fries, and shakes. Since they never expanded beyond the Seattle region, they like to keep things simple. After a long day of sightseeing, Dick’s is the perfect family spot to eat some good, old-fashioned comfort food.

11. Pike Place Market

This market place is always bustling and offers many different things to do. Flower and candy shops, magic stores, fresh seafood, you name it. Pike Place is a great spot to walk around and find places to eat, so you can make a whole day of it, even with kids.

12. Pinball Museum

After paying for your tickets, you and your kids can enjoy playing dozens of vintage pinball machines for free. Snacks and drinks are available, so if the rainy Seattle weather forces you indoors, this is your best bet for a fun afternoon.

13. Explore the Tidepools

You and your family won’t even have to leave the city to find plenty of sea creatures. At low tide (make sure to check tide schedules), you can find sea stars and anemones nestled among the rocks. If you have very small children, it is best to keep an eye out for both their safety and the safety of the wildlife.

14. Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park

Seattle has plenty of history around the gold rush of the 1800s, so this park is a great way to both learn a little, and have fun. In the summer months, kids can try “panning for gold.” The best part is, it’s all free!

15. Ice Cream Ferry

On Sundays throughout the year, a boat leaves from Lake Union Park on a quick, 45-minute tour. Kids can watch seaplanes take off and land and observe a few homes that float on the water, all while enjoying hot chocolate or ice cream on board.

16. Indoor Rock Climbing

Another great activity for a rainy day is rock climbing. There are tons of indoor locations all across Seattle, and it’s perfect for kids who love to climb and play (and need to get some energy out!).

For even more ideas, visit these websites:

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/25-best-things-seattle-washington/

https://santorinidave.com/seattle-with-kids