Our family, like yours, is busy. Once the school year starts, everyone begins their activities, homework, school play practice, you get the idea. One of the things that my husband and I regularly do with our girls is an on purpose “Family Time.” Each Family Time is themed a different way, and each child has a part in it. Everyone is included, no one is left out.

Our Family Time is usually based on Bible stories like the Creation story, Noah and the Ark, or David and Goliath. We focus on lessons we can learn from those stories. You can also choose a favorite story that highlights character, morals, or a family value you are working on together. Here is how you can get started:

• Pick a theme
• Choose a family song to play at the beginning of each Family Time. It can be silly, fun, dramatic, whatever!
• Pick a favorite Bible verse or saying that goes along with the theme
• Let the smallest children be the ones who get to be the “Bible carriers” or “page turners”
• Grab every dress up outfit you can find and let the children act out the story as you read it, or if you think they can stay focused, let them make up their own skit based on the story.
• Make up some easy discussion questions about the theme, for example, “Why do you think God created so many animals? Or, “How can we do a better job as a family taking care of the world God made for us?
• Pick a slogan that the children will remember. Some slogans we have used include, “Choose today, the narrow way!” or “Goliath was wrong! God made David strong!”

Our girls love Family Time. They beg us to do it, and as they have gotten older, we have allowed them to take turns helping us plan out a fun night together.

The key to a successful family time is to have as much fun as possible as a family, and not take it too seriously when things don’t go as planned. I am sure when our kids are grown up Family time will be one of their best memories of growing up.

How do you spend family time in your house? Visit our BD Forum and share your strategies for a fun family night!

Michelle is a full time stay at home Mom of three spirited little girls 9,8, and 4.  Her husband is a pastor, and their lives are anything but normal.  Follow thier adventures at Dawning Light www.michellewegner.typepad.com