Updated March, 2023
Children grow out of toys. And they do so quickly. They rarely remember the toys you buy them when they get older. They don’t forget time you spent with them though. The importance of spending time together is immeasurable. So let’s focus on quality time and experiences instead of toys.
Unplug
To start, it’s time to unplug. Your 6-year-old does not need an IPad. Your children should spend more time in meaningful play and experiences than plugged into whatever gadget is available. In fact, electronics can overwhelm the brain. So no more dinner in front of TVs or with phones on the table. Set aside the digital stuff and be sure to really show up for each other.
Get Out
More than toys and electronic entertainment, find ways to do things together. It’s the quality time that is going to count more.
My favorite part about these ideas is that they aren’t just limited to parents. All adults can get in on quality time with the kids. This can be grandparents, uncles, aunts, family, and friends. Children will build long lasting memories and relationships. Often your child isn’t going to remember the toys you get, but they will often remember the places you go and the things you do together.
Gift Ideas
Instead of presents for your child’s next holiday or birthday, give them the gift of experiences. Here are just a few suggestions of fun ways you can get out with your kids. When my nephew was 8, I wrote 12 riddles for Christmas. There was one riddle for each month of the year. He would solve the riddle and then we would go do the fun thing we had discussed. Here are some ideas you might be able to offer your own children.
- Go to the zoo
- Play basketball
- Run at the park
- Visit an aquarium
- Membership to a place they love to go
- Sign up for a sports team
- Go to a jump house
- Watch a baseball game together
- Take a hike
- Go for a swim
- Get a pass to a local recreation center
- Go out to mini golf
- Go-cart racing
- Movie night
Next Holiday
This advice is especially true when it comes to holidays. Instead of filling your house with toys and junk that your child will play with for a month and then toss to the side, have people get memberships to places you frequent. Get a pool or recreation center pass. Sign them up for a sport for a few months, or just have people commit to taking them somewhere.
At the end of the day, just know that your child is going to learn a lot more from you and probably have more fun too. You don’t have to spend all your money on stuff. Your time is going to be far more valuable to them in both the long and the short run.
