Monthly contributor post from Kristen at Celebrate Every Day with Me:

It’s so easy in these technology-driven days to hand your kids a tablet and let them get lost in a game while you catch up on your phone or knock something off your list.  And while tech does have its place, it’s not going to help you build your relationship with your child when you’re both doing your own separate things.  So here are five unplugged ways to have fun with your kids tonight.  The ideas may sound a little elementary, but let’s get back to basics and create some family fun!

1.  Sing

Pick a silly song, a favorite hymn or make up a tune line by line.  Sing something together.  One night last week, we took a silly (and somewhat annoying) song and each of us had to sing one line and see how fast we could go through the song . . . repeatedly.  The result?  We all had a good laugh.

2.  Dance

Declare a family dance time.  Put on some tunes (ok, technically we’re plugging something in . . . ) and start grooving.  You’ll get a little exercise and smile.  When our kids were younger, we loved, “I’m Gonna Catch You” which is free for Amazon Prime.  Lately, we’ve been moving to the songs from Moose Tube on Go Noodle.  We know them so well, we can do it without the computer.

3.  Play a Game

Our kids are 7 and 9 and we love teaching them a new game.  Our latest game is CLUE and it has been such fun exposing them to a game that my husband and I enjoyed as kids.  Our other favorites are currently Sequence, Skip Bo, and Mancala.  What does your family like to play?

4.  Teach a Skill

Last week, my son learned how to make Ramen Noodle Soup (I know, Mother of the Year for healthy dinners . . . but it was a last minute option.)  He loved learning how to do it.  The week before, he and my husband worked on drilling a backdrop board for me.  My daughter was even excited to learn how to change the filter in the furnace.  It’s the simple things, right?  Do something together that in some way empowers your kids with a new skill.

5.  Do a Scavenger Hunt

My kids love following clues and running all over the house.  Here is a Rhyming Riddle Scavenger Hunt you can print out and try.  But don’t forget that you can also reverse the scavenger hunt and let the kids write for the parents.  One day, the kids and I wrote clues and left them for Dan to find when he got home from work.  The clues led him to his best prize . . . the kids!  Use a pre-written set of clues or write your own based on things your kids like or do.  Be sure to put a little treat or treasure at the end.

Laughing and having fun together as a family strengthens relationship and creates lasting memories.  Try one of these easy ideas tonight with your kids!

In what simple ways does your family like to unplug and have fun together?  

Kristen of Celebrate Every Day With Me is a fun-loving mom to two kids who keep her busy and laughing. Add her great husband and the Lord to the mix and her life is one fantastic (and sometimes crazy) adventure. She is a former youth leader, professional wedding and event planner and has a degree in Christian Thought/Christian Ministry. She loves long lists, diet soda and playing jokes on her husband.

Kristen is the author of Teach Me To Serve:  99 Ways Preschoolers Can Learn To Serve & Bless Others.  On her blog, you’ll find fun ideas for children’s activities, creating memorable moments and party planning.