5 Tips for Quality Family Time with Mattel #playadvocates

I’ve come to realize that my kids will not stay young forever. In fact, in a blink of an eye, my first baby is already 9 years old and in grade 4. Next year she heads to middle school. What?! How did that happen? While we have always valued family time, now than ever it is more important to embrace quality family time whenever we can. Here are 5 Tips for Quality Family Time:

#1) Start Traditions. Growing up we had a weekly tradition every Saturday night. After supper and baths, we would sit down in the living room, pop some popcorn or pop open a bag of chips and watch Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (I hope I’m not dating myself, LOL). I still remember these evenings as being one of my favorite times of the week. We have started traditions with our children too.

Playing games together as a family has gotten easier as our kids have gotten older. No longer are we stuck playing simple preschool games, we have now graduated to being able to play simple games geared towards teens or adults.

Two games that work great for families with children of all ages are Card N Go Seek and Bounce-Off.

Card N Go Seek – At the count of three, everyone dashes off to retrieve an item revealed on one of the cards. The first player to get back with the correct type of item wins the matching card! Players have fun deciding for themselves what the cards mean. For example, finding something SWEET could be a lollipop or a picture of your great aunt Helen! Interpreting the cards really lets your personality shine.

Bounce-Off – This game is simple for everyone to understand and play, but the competition is fierce! Whether you’re playing against others by bouncing balls in a frenzied race to match the card or the (slightly) more civilized turn-based play, Bounce-Off™ game brings the action and the results are wild!

#2) Take Photos. I have never liked to see myself in pictures, so I always tried to avoid being in a picture by taking pictures. But I’ve come to realize that my kids love being in pictures with me and taking pictures of me. Without these pictures, my children will not have memories of me to look back on when the day comes that I am no longer with them. Women, DON’T be afraid to put yourself IN FRONT of the camera. Your kids will love you for it!

#3) Plan Ahead. Planning a regular weekly night to play games, watch a movie or go out together as a family shows your children that you are serious about spending time together with them.

#4) One to One. While spending time as a family is important to build memories, one to one time is equally important. Make sure you take time to bond with your little ones individually. From baking a pie for Thankgiving dinner, to throwing the ball in the backyard your little ones (and you!) will have precious memories of the quality time spent together.

And last but not least,

#5) Keep it Manageable. While it can be tempting to overload yourself with activities, remember your limitations. If you and your children are too tired to make quality family time work, scale it back and spend time watching a show together or reading.

No matter how you spend time together as a family this fall, you can start a new tradition with a Mattel games prize pack valued at $39.98!!