We all know how hard it can be to find time for parent-child bonding activities in the hustle and bustle of daily life. That’s why creating opportunities for connection is so important, especially when you have an au pair in your home. An au pair offers practical childcare and household support, as well as a unique chance for cultural exchange.
It’s important to prioritize intentional family-building activities amidst everyone’s busy schedules and daily routines to ensure that both your family and your au pair have a fulfilling experience. From playing games at home to cooking something together or exploring your local community, these shared experiences can help build a strong, supportive, and inclusive family environment. Here’s a list of 16 activities for family bonding to strengthen those ties while including your au pair in the fun:
16 Creative Bonding Activities for Families to Enjoy with Their Au Pair
1. Host a Family Game Night
Gather around the table for a fun night with classic board games or family-friendly video games. Game nights are fantastic family team-building activities that foster collaboration, laughter, and a bit of healthy competition.
2. Organize a Picnic in the Park
Pack a basket full of your family’s favorite treats, grab a blanket, and head to the nearest park for a picnic. This could also be a great opportunity to encourage your au pair to share dishes from their native country and learn about other cultures as a family.
3. Lead a Hike on Local Trails
3. Lead a Hike on Local TrailsOne of the best bonding activities for parents and children is exploring the great outdoors by going on a hike through nearby trails. Invite your au pair to join and take in the sights, discover hidden gems, and bond over shared experiences.
4. Start a Crafting Project
Encourage creativity and collaboration by starting a crafting project with your au pair and the rest of the family. Search tutorials online for DIY decorations, handmade gifts, or other crafts, and use these family bonding activities to learn from each other and create keepsakes that your family and au pair can cherish forever.
5. Plan a Visit to a Museum
Invite your au pair to join the family for a visit to a museum. Explore exhibits, learn something new, and engage in meaningful discussions about art, science, or history together.
6. Arrange a Camping Trip
So, what do families do together that offer a break from electronics? Consider a camping trip! Go off the grid for a weekend and reconnect with nature and your family while you enjoy roasting marshmallows, sharing stories around the campfire, and creating lasting memories with your kids and au pair.
7. Take a Bike Ride
Hit the bike trails as a family and enjoy the fun of cycling together. From an easy ride through the neighborhood to a more adventurous journey across scenic routes, biking is a fantastic way to connect while staying active.
8. Set Up a Movie Marathon
8. Set Up a Movie MarathonCreate a cozy atmosphere at home by hosting a movie marathon night, and extend the invitation to your au pair. Try trading off between your usual family-favorite movies and your au pair’s choices for a more interesting experience.
9. Go to a Sports Event
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or not, attending sporting events together is one of the most fun parent-child activities you can do as a family. The energy of the crowd, the thrill of the game, and the shared excitement make it an unforgettable experience.
10. Spend a Day at the Beach
If you live near a beach or a lake, why not make the most of it and invite your au pair to join the family for a day of summertime fun? You could build sandcastles, splash in the waves, and soak up the sun together for a memorable adventure everyone will love.
11. Work on a Garden Together
Get your hands dirty and plant something together as a family. Whether it’s flowers, herbs, or vegetables, family group activities that involve gardening or caring for a living thing together help teach responsibility and cultivate a greater appreciation for nature and the environment.
12. Throw a Family Dance Party
12. Throw a Family Dance PartyClear some space in your living room, turn up the music, and host a family dance party! Invite your au pair to join in on the fun as everyone takes turns playing their favorite songs and showing off their best moves. It’s a fantastic way to decompress, let loose, bond over shared musical tastes, and create unforgettable memories together.
13. Coordinate a Family Volunteering Day
Give back to your community by volunteering together as a family. Research opportunities for lending a hand in your local soup kitchen, nursing home, or animal shelter. Being of service together can help strengthen family bonds while making a positive impact.
14. Create a Family Scrapbook
Preserve precious memories by creating a family scrapbook and inviting your au pair to participate. Gather photos of your time together, ticket stubs, and mementos to document special moments and milestones.
15. Play Mini-Golf
Invite your au pair to join the family for a mini-golf game. Putt through thematic courses, enjoy some friendly competition and celebrate victories as a group for a fun-filled weekend activity.
16. Make Homemade Pizzas
Get creative in the kitchen by making homemade pizzas together. From kneading the dough to adding toppings, making homemade pizzas as a family is a fun, hands-on activity everyone can enjoy.
Find an Au Pair with Go Au Pair
You don’t need fancy vacations or expensive gadgets to spend quality time with your family. All it takes is some creativity and the motivation to make them happen. There are countless family bonding activities that can help build stronger relationships with your family members without a ton of preparation or a big budget. Bonding as a family can be simple and stress-free, and sometimes, you don’t even have to leave the house to do it.
Explore how having an au pair can help strengthen your family bonds by bringing a new member into the family fold. By welcoming an au pair into your home, you introduce a new dynamic that encourages inclusivity, open-mindedness, and mutual respect. Visit Go Au Pair today to find the perfect au pair for your family and read more about our host family requirements.
