Many of us have been spending more time at home than ever — but are we truly connecting, engaging and sharing with each other, especially our children?

Parents are trying hard to keep up with work amid the distractions at home, but children are also struggling with this new arrangement. They need our attention and time.

Parents are busy, but intentionally carving out quality time together can help.

Quality time doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to cost money. Even small moments can be a source of connection with our children. Check out our ideas below for how we can spend more quality time with our kids while staying safer at home.

Ages 5-7

• Have a dance party
• Color together
• Play Hide and seek
• Play Candyland
• Play tic-tac-toe
• Do arts and crafts
• Decorate your home with pictures you draw together
• Read together
• Make cards for family and friends
• Create a scavenger hunt for things around the house
• Paint with watercolors

Ages 8-11

• Play “Go Fish”
• Play charades
• Play Pictionary
• Watch a movie together
• Play the Guess the Feeling game
• Make pizza or mac and cheese and eat together
• Play video games together (in moderation)
• Bake cookies together
• Make and enjoy smoothies together
• Ride bikes together
• Have a dance or sing-a-long party

Ages 12+

• Watch their favorite show with them
• Play board games
• Cook a recipe and eat together
• Go for a walk together
• Go for a drive to pick up special takeout or a treat
• Give yourselves manicures or pedicures together
• Make tie-dye shirts together
• Listen to each other’s music
• Create a family picture album together
• Do something fun that your teen enjoyed when they were younger, like coloring hard-boiled eggs, cutting out snowflakes or drawing together

As parents, sometimes we get so caught up in being adults or parents that we forget how to get down on the floor and play, or that dance parties and sing-a-longs are fun. When it comes to spending time with our kids, the activity is less important than the quality of the time together! Find your inner child and make the most of being at home with your children. No one is watching, so let yourself have some fun. You deserve it!