If you’re like most dads, you might find that sometimes it’s hard to decide on the perfect bonding activity to share with your kids. Whether it’s because you’ve had a long day at work and don’t have the energy to put into playing with them, or because it’s hard to find common ground since you have no idea what Fortnite is, having fun bonding time can be a challenge. We’ve put together a list of 5 easy and fun things you can do with your kids to ensure that you bond and have fun with them in a way that they’ll love!

1.       Go to a local park for a mini field day. If there’s a park in your area with large, grassy fields to play in, you’re in luck. One of the simplest and most fun things you can do to bond with your kids – while also instilling in them the value of outdoor exercise – is take them outside for some classic, all-American outdoor fun.  

Get a baseball and glove, head out to the field, and show your little tykes how a real American pitches the ole fastball. If that’s not your thing, though, don’t worry; you can run relay races, have a fun day of bird-spotting, or teach your kids how to properly utilize a jungle gym! The options are truly endless. If you want to immortalize those childhood memories, try bringing video drones to capture the fun from above!

2.       Run a roleplaying game for the kids! Recently there’s been a resurgence in popularity of tabletop roleplaying games (RPGs) – you know the ones, featuring noble dwarves, stately elves, fearsome dragons, and dark dungeons that players can adventure through. If you and your kids like to geek out on fantasy realms and fanciful lore, starting a tabletop RPG can be a great way to bond over something that’s in-depth and collaborative.

 Plus, you’ll be teaching them a hobby they’ll be able to take with them in life. Imagine the friends they’ll easily make in college when they suggest to their dorm mates that they can run a tabletop RPG game for them if they fancy! Instant friend group. And, as they run their games in the future, they’ll remember fondly the guy who showed them how it’s done: dad.

3.       Take them for a hike. There’s nothing quite like journeying into the great outdoors for some quality father-kid time. It’s important that kids experience nature. In fact, some studies have shown that kids with frequent exposure to nature in childhood grow up to be happier and well-adjusted adults.

 By putting on a hiking backpack, getting a little dirty, working up a sweat, and being rewarded with verdant vistas and scenic scenery, your kids will learn the value of pristine natural environments. Especially with the effects of climate change fast approaching, you better show your kids nature before it’s all burned up in wildfires and turned into lifeless desert!

4.       Try out a novelty restaurant. While not all restaurants are exactly kid-friendly, there are plenty that cater to visitors of all ages. With so many hip, interesting millennial eateries popping up around town, it’s often easy to find a place that serves the succulent craft brews you so desperately crave while also providing corndogs and chicken nuggets for the picky eaters in your family. Some locales even have small play areas for kids, so be sure to research the local favorites in your area to find the perfect spot for Jr. to have a blast!

5.       Teach them a musical instrument. Some parents opt for dropping their kids off at piano lessons after school every day. While this may certainly have its benefits, there’s nothing that quite compares to the bonding time of learning something together with your kids.  

By teaching them a musical instrument, you’ll instill in them the value of patience while also enriching them with the rewarding ability to produce music on their own. They will fondly look back on you every time they play, and you’ll always be able to share a song together during family get-togethers.  

Those are our ideas for fun bonding activities with the kids! Let us know what you and yours do for healthy, fun bonding activities in the comments section below!