Whether your family is large or small, getting everyone together for a family project can seem daunting. However, it is important to try. Learning to work together as a team is a skill that children should learn early on, in order to prepare them for later in life. Projects that give the sense that each family member’s contribution is equally important to get the job done will be the most successful. Here are some family projects you can try that will bring everyone together.
Prepare Family Meals
Decide on a dish that everyone will enjoy making. This does not have to be a seven-course meal for everyone to participate. But, each member must do their part in order for the family to be able to sit down and eat. If your children are too young to slice vegetables or handle hot dishes, have them set the table or fill water glasses. Encourage older siblings to help out the younger ones. Make a game of it by setting a timer to race against. If the meal is finished before the timer goes off, everyone wins and gets dessert.
Perform Charity Work Together
You can find countless volunteer opportunities through your church or a local non-profit group. For instance, serve meals at a soup kitchen or donate your time during a charity event. This is a way to begin a dialogue about social issues that many people may face. It is also an opportunity to show your children that not every person is as fortunate as they are. They can learn to appreciate all that they have. The giving spirit can be infectious. Do not be surprised if your children come to you with an idea to start their own giving project.
Remodel a Room
Leave the electrical or plumbing work to the experts, but you can remodel on a smaller scale, such as a family room or a child’s bedroom. Get everyone involved in organizing the space. If it is a large room, you could always find storage units in your area to hold items during the remodel. Get input from each member in what they would like to have in the room. Provide secret ballots for everyone to vote for their favorite fabrics or colors. This will help narrow down the choices and avoid anyone feeling that their idea was openly discarded. Split the jobs up and praise each member for their contribution. When the remodel is finished, each member will have a feeling of accomplishment and feel good when they are in the space.
Create a Family Scrapbook
Include the youngest children and the grandparents in creating a memory scrapbook. Allow each member to choose their favorite photos and decorate a page. This is a great time to share old stories and be reminded of cherished memories. Children are often amazed at the stories they hear from parents or grandparents. They often forget that they were young once, too. A scrapbook gives the family a history of memorable moments to look through time and again.
Taking the time to complete a family project together will leave each member feeling a sense of pride. Children learn from example. If we teach them that their contribution to the family is just as important as anyone else, they will begin to enjoy helping and working together as a team to accomplish a goal. Choose a project that everyone can take part in. Remember to praise each member for a job well done. Soon you will be looking for new projects to do together.