We all know that family time is essential, but sometimes, it can be challenging. Kids don’t cooperate. Those “easy, fool-proof” Pinterest projects fail miserably. Work can drain us. Life is hard, and sometimes it’s just too much.

If you know family time is important but are feeling beaten-down, exhausted, or overwhelmed, then this list is for you. Be encouraged. You’re doing a great job. It doesn’t have to be expensive, grand, or look Instagram worthy, but every moment you spend with them is priceless even if you can’t see the positive effects you’re having on your kids. This time is not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. It comes in many forms: cuddles, in-depth conversations, game night, doing housework together, and many other things! 

Investing in your family can happen in both the mundane and the special planned events. So whether you’re planning a big family movie night or building forts together to keep them entertained, the quality time you spend with them being emotionally and physically present is invaluable. Here are eight ways you bless your kids through quality time. 

The next time you feel exhausted or defeated with family time, remember these eight ways that you are blessing your family and making them stronger. 

1. Children Perform Better Academically

Children with parents who invest in their academic careers tend to perform better academically. From helping with homework to teaching them how to learn or study, quality time spent in this way can increase your child’s success short and long term. 

2. It Can Lower the Risk of Behavioral Problems

When children feel connected to their parents, they’re more likely to seek advice or bring forward problems that may have otherwise remained unresolved. This is especially important as children enter adolescence. 

3. It Can Improve Relationship Dynamics

Family can be stressful and complex. It can be difficult to navigate, but continually investing in these relationships leads to stronger bonds, deeper connections, and a better understanding of one another. This can drastically improve relationship dynamics in the day-to-day. 

4. Children Learn Parenting Skills

“Little eyes.” “Little ears.” Children imitate us. Family time is a great way to model positive parenting skills that they can use in the future with their children and possibly currently with their siblings. 

5. Fulfills Emotional Needs

It can be hard to verbalize what we need. When the home is a safe and open place for the whole family, everyone can say what they need. Quality time helps meet the emotional needs of both parents and children through being emotionally present in these times. 

6. Promotes Spiritual Vibrancy

In a recent Barna study, one of the key factors researchers discovered for a spiritually vibrant home was whether or not a family spent time together. The more likely a family connected, the greater chances of genuine spiritual conversations and connections occurred. 

7. It Can Help Children Learn Emotional Regulation

How did you handle the last time your Pinterest project failed, or the kids refused to cooperate during family time? While incredibly frustrating, these are valuable teaching moments where children can learn emotional regulation by watching how you handle the situation. 

8. Models the Importance of Community

Family time allows for a genuine connection between everyone. During these times, someone may open up about a struggle or hardship they’re faced with. This can provide an opportunity for kids to learn how to put others first.

Family time may not always be picture-perfect. Things can get messy, thrown together last minute, or spontaneous, and that’s part of family time’s beauty. Family time looks different from family to family but still positively affect everyone. The next time you feel exhausted or defeated with family time, remember these eight ways that you are blessing your family and making them stronger.

If you’re looking for exciting ways to enhance your family time, consider hosting a GameTruck party. Learn more about our unique gaming experience and how it can create unforgettable memories for your family.

For more ideas on family activities, check out our blog post on “Creating Schedules for Children (6 Tips)“.

At GameTruck, we’re all about helping you play and create family memories. From booking video game or laser tag parties to providing fun activity ideas, we’re helping you rock this parenting thing. Thus, this week we’re going to help your kids star in the kitchen with delicious recipes. 

Use this blog as a beginners cookbook for your kids with no add pop-ups or long recipe back stories about great aunt Mildred twice removed and her journeys through Wisconsin. Moreover, this blog delivers recipes, directions, and helpful tips that are straight to the point, and I wish they made these for adults. 

Furthermore, help your kids explore and learn about cooking with these three fun recipes for kids. 

Recipe 1: Homemade Lemonade

• Ingredients 
  • 1 ¾ cups white sugar 
  • 1 cup water
  • 9 medium lemons, or more as needed
  • 7 cups ice-cold water
  • ice as needed
• Directions
  • Step 1: Combine sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Also, stir to dissolve sugar while mixture comes to a boil. Set aside to cool slightly.
  • Step 2: Do you feel how firm the lemons are? Roll them around on the counter to make them soft. Also, cut in half lengthwise. Ultimately, squeeze into a measuring cup.  
  • Step 3: However, Watch out for any seeds!
  • Step 4: Nonetheless, continue juicing until you have 1 1/2 cups fresh juice and pulp. 
  • Step 5: Also, add 7 cups of ice-cold water into a pitcher. Stir in lemon juice, pulp, and simple syrup till it tastes yummy.  
  • Step 6: Don’t forget the ice!
• Helpful Notes
  • Nine medium lemons should yield about 1 1/2 cups juice and pulp, but the number required will depend on the size you use.
    
    

Recipe 2: Strawberry Banana Smoothie

• Ingredients
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries or berry mix
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1 banana, cut in pieces
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
• Directions
  • Step 1: Wash fruit if needed.
  • Step 2: Add to blender.
  • Step 3: Mix until desired consistency.
• Helpful Notes
  • To make any simple smoothie recipe thinner add more juice or milk. On the other hand, to make any simple smoothie recipe thicker add more fruit.
  • In addition, if using canned fruit, include the juice for extra flavor.
    
    

Recipe 3: Five Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites

• Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Directions
  • Step 1: Add all ingredients into a bowl. 
  • Step 2: Mix well.
  • Step 3: Additionally, roll them into balls and store in an airtight container. 
• Helpful Notes:
  • Instead of peanut butter, try almond or sunflower butter!

Nevertheless, cooking with your kids is a great way to build new memories and teach them life skills. Additionally, feel free to save this blog in your cookbook or help your kids craft their own to store these for later!

Additionally, you can find more recipes here!

On the other hand, if you’re looking for more fun activities to enjoy with your family, be sure to check out GameTruck’s website for exciting gaming and party options.

I’m so glad that I live in the digital age. It might sound odd, but with my mom brain, I struggle to remember all of the small details. I don’t want to forget the memories I made with my family. I want to cherish them forever. From family vacations to GameTruck birthday parties, I don’t want to lose a single memory. This is one of the biggest reasons why I’m so thankful for my phone. 

Pictures help us relive memories and reignite our emotions. (This is why I can’t bring myself to delete a single picture of my kids 🙂 While photography seems to come naturally for some people, it doesn’t for me. It’s been a creative journey for me, but here are four tips that made the difference for me that you can try to take your photography to the next level!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

• Rule of Thirds
  • In this photography rule, an image is broken up into nine squares. This can also be called “framing”. In this approach, try to get the best parts of your image where these lines intersect. This will give your photo a natural feel and gently guide the eyes to where you want them to go. Try lining your subject up on these lines to achieve this effect. 
  • To set this up on your iPhone, go to your settings, select apps – choose camera, and then select “grid lines”. This will allow you to use the Rule of Thirds with every picture you take to help you get awesome photos! 
    
    
    
• Natural Light
  • Lighting can make all the difference in a picture, and Natural is best. A flash rarely looks good on anyone. Natural lighting compliments most people and subjects. It is also the best option if you’d like to edit the photo later. 
  • Being mindful of the lighting also allows you to be creative. It can help convey the mood and the overall tone of the picture. You can try different angles in natural light, candles, sunsets, and so much more! 
    
    
    
• Avoid Digital Zoom
  • Avoided at all costs on a smartphone! By using digital zoom, you’ll get a grainy, poor resolution image. Digital zoom also magnifies any shaking or movement in the hands. 
  • If you need to zoom, move closer to get that awesome picture of your kid in their little league uniform or blasting away opponents at a GameTruck laser tag party!
    
    
    
• Use HDR
  • Many smartphones are now equipped with High Dynamic Range or HDR. It adds detail from both dark and light areas of the picture for a balanced exposure. This is a great option to use if your picture has a dark ground and a bright sky. Turning this feature on in your settings will help balance your pictures out. 

Summer, to me, has always been a season of new adventures and journeys. Taking nice pictures and videos will help you and your family always remember the memories you’ve made over the years together.

So, at your next GameTruck event, try one or all of these tips to take your photography skills to the next level!

Check out more of our blogs here!