- Classic board games provide a great excuse for conversations among the members of the family. If you are playing the game Careers, for example, the conversation revolves around everyone's future goals. Monopoly leads to discussions about money, debt and investment strategies. Even simple games like Candy Land and Parcheesi require even the youngest children to take turns, apply basic math and reading readiness skills, and learn about how to win and loose well.
- Baking bread or cookies can make for a family experience that ends with sharing the food steaming hot fresh out of the oven. Get all the ingredients and tools ready ahead of time. Let the youngest children open the butter, pour in the measured ingredients and help stir. Make sure that everyone gets to do something meaningful. Take digital pictures to put on your family's Facebook page. While the goodies are baking, share memories about family heirloom recipes.
- Instead of a movie, read aloud together. Not only does hearing books read aloud improve a child's reading comprehension skills, it is a great family experience. Start with classic fairy tales or Kipling's "Just So Stories" because they are short enough to read in one sitting. Stop reading to talk about the story from time to time. See whether you can predict what will happen next. After the story is over, share whether each person enjoyed it and why. Then discuss what story to read at the next family read aloud night.
