Make weekends a part of your parenting gameplan

My son, a toy reviewer, is a fan of tabletop games that you can play with friends and families. As much as possible, we are trying to play these things every weekend to bond.

Do you know that there’s actually a wealth of benefits that come from spending fun weekends with the kids?

Weekend play is healthy. And it’s easy to understand why, with all the movement and horseplay involved. It doesn’t even have to be very active. Regardless of the activity, just having fun reduces stress and helps the immune system¹—for both kid and parent! Use the time to make up for weekdays spent at work.

It helps with school. Who knew that weekend fun actually helps with school? Playing games with your kids develops communication and problem-solving skills², which they’ll use a lot in the classroom. On top of that, research also shows that kids who bonded with parents were more likely to aspire for further studies, compared to those who do not have such a bond³.

It teaches them how to deal with others. Move two spaces forward! Skip one turn! Playing fun games teaches kids about rules. More importantly, it also teaches them about acting appropriately in a social environment. These interpersonal skills have benefits² later on in life, where there’s more interaction with other people.

It gives them the best role model. When you play with the kids, you can be sure of one thing: your kids are watching you. And they will imitate what they see. Have fun, but remember to give them something good to grow up too!

The fun lasts way beyond the weekend. If you’re the type that loves to bond with the kids over some food, keep it up! Studies show that kids who share meals with their parents develop positive moods well into the crucial stage of adolescence.  This also helps them to have a more positive view of the future.

The small breaks in between playtime do more than just let you catch your breath—use it to catch up on precious time spent apart. Make it count by bonding over games and something equally fun to snack on, such as Lemon Square Fun Square. It’s made with fresh ingredients and can be enjoyed in many fun ways—warmed in the oven, drizzled with toppings, or just eaten straight out of the pack. It’s an easy way to make weekends more fun! After all, real bonding moments go well with snacks made from real goodness.