The kind of relationship you build with your child affects how they communicate, learn and show emotions as they grow. Bonding activities aren’t just for fun — they teach kids how to be strong enough to take on the world and brave enough to share their emotions. Here are some suggestions to create a warm and stable relationship with your little one.
Build a Fort Little ones who engage in creative activities — specifically during their toddler and preschool years — have greater problem-solving skills and heightened cognitive abilities. They learn how to regulate their emotions in a safe environment through creative exploration.
Imaginative play like building a fort teaches children how to bond socially and develop empathy for others. It allows them to be creative and use their imaginations while learning social cues and healthy communication. Gather a few sheets, pegs and fluffy pillows and build a fort with your kid.
Offer them your guidance and allow them to take the lead, even if you can tell the fort is going to collapse. You can teach them it’s OK to make mistakes by helping them build it up again. This lets them know they have someone to depend on when things come crashing down. It allows them to form a stable bond.
Learn an Instrument Playing a musical instrument may improve working memory and executive function. It’s also a fun way to bond because many children dream of being rockstars. A wooden spoon can act as a microphone, guitar or drumstick and ta-da, you’ve got yourself a makeshift band.
On a serious note, learning to play an instrument comes with countless bonding opportunities. Guitar can be fun to play, but it also has its fair share of frustrations. It’s common for kids starting out to struggle with a lack of motivation or become discouraged by slow progress. As a parent, you can help your little one deal with the stress in a healthy way.
Teach them the importance of consistency, even when it’s challenging. They might throw a fit, cry or show a lack of interest, but pick them up and motivate them to keep going. Show them a video of their favorite musician and explain that even they had to get through the hard stuff to be great. This is your opportunity to teach them it’s OK to feel stressed or sad, but they should believe in themselves and keep going.
Do Chores While this may not sound like a fun bonding activity, it can be. It’s important to teach your child the importance of household chores and create a positive attitude toward work. Chores are life skills, and they teach kids responsibility and the power of teamwork. Getting them involved in may also facilitate executive function development and improve motor skills.
You can make it fun by turning it into a game. Set a timer and have a sweeping race or have a competition for who can get the cleanest plate. Making chores fun helps you bond with your kid while knocking out a few of your daily tasks together. This gives you more time to spend watching movies or playing afterward.
Go on a Camping Trip There’s nothing like the great outdoors to create special memories and unforgettable bonding moments. Nature provides many opportunities for parents to spend quality time with their children and foster an appetite for the beauty of nature.
You can build a tent together and teach your little one how to tie a knot or make a s’more. Going camping provides many teachable moments, like the importance of planning, showing appreciation for nature and not harming the environment.
Building necessary skills during camping will also improve your child’s confidence and physical fitness. These early bonding moments are critical to their long-term well-being and sense of self.
It’s About Your Child’s Well-Being Spending quality time with your kid — whether it’s playing an instrument or washing dishes — is crucial to their healthy development. You have the power to teach them how to handle life’s stresses and find fulfillment. Even at a young age, a strong parental figure can help them take on the world with confidence and kindness.
Jack Shaw is the senior lifestyle writer at Modded with and a single father with a special interest in navigating the ins and outs of being a parent. As fathers, the work we put in isn’t always recognized, but it’s absolutely essential to the health and well-being of our children. You can find more of Jack’s work in publications like Tiny Buddha, Daddy’s Digest, Parent.com and more. Contact him via LinkedIn.
