30 ways to connect with your child

As parents, we feel like there is no extra time in our days. There is so much to be done between work, school, sports, and other activities... We, sometimes, struggle to find ways to connect with our children and make them feel appreciated. So, before school starts, we thought we could share some ideas to connect with your children.

1- Go on a hike or bike ride. Enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise together.

2- Visit a local historical site. Learn about the history of your community.

3- Visit a museum. Museums offer a variety of exhibits that can be educational and entertaining for the whole family. Many museums offer free or discounted admission on certain days, so be sure to check before you go.

4- Volunteer together. Help out at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or other organization.

5- Have a picnic. Bring the Taco Tuesday dinner outside.

6- Go star gazing. Stay up late one night, go outside, and watch the moon and the stars.

7- Ask your child to teach you how to do something. Whether your children like to draw, perform cool moves on the trampoline (or the pool), or play a sport, ask them to teach you! Once you get the hang of it, be sure to tell him what a good teacher he is.

8- Cook or bake together. This is a fun way to spend time together and learn new skills.

9- Have breakfast for dinner. Let the kids help to make their favorite breakfast dish for dinner.

10- Learn a new language together. Click here for a fun challenge you can do for free.

11- Play games. Board games, card games, or even just a game of catch can be a great way to bond and help your child feel appreciated.

12- Read together. This is a great way to relax and unwind.

13- Build something together. This could be anything from a birdhouse to a piece of furniture. We learned a fun and easy-to-make bird feeder during Family VBX, we will share the directions at the end of this post.

14- Spend time in nature. Go for a walk in the woods or hike in the mountains. Or a quick trip to Pedernales State Park or Hamilton Reimer’s Ranch down the road.

15- Visit a petting zoo. See some animals up close and personal.

16- Have a slumber party. Stay up late talking and watching movies.

17- Make a craft project. This could be anything from painting to sewing to woodworking.

18- Have a talent show. Show off your skills and share some laughter.

19- Write a letter to your future selves. Open them up in a few years and see how much you've changed.

20- Write a letter to a family member or a dear friend. Work together to help someone else smile and feel loved.

21- Reserve 15-30 minutes to play with your child. Let her choose the game, tell you the rules, and lead the way. It’s your turn to follow her directions.

22- Pray together. This is a great way to connect with God and with each other.

23- Go on a road trip. There are so many beautiful places to see, National and State parks, you could also take a trip to visit the Space Center or the Beach.

24- Host a Lemonade Stand - work with your kids to have a lemonade stand and offer refreshments to the neighbors. Work together to make the lemonade and other treats, you can even work on a business plan and help your kids come up with pricing.

25- Have a scavenger hunt: This is a great way to get kids moving and using their minds. Hide some clues around the house or yard, and let them loose to find them.

26- Go camping. There are many great camping spots in Texas. Too hot to camp outside? Set the tent in the living room!

27- Attend a church or community event. This is a great way to meet other families and get involved in your community.

28- Make a list of your goals for the new school year. Help your kids set goals and stay motivated.

29- Talk about their worries and fears. Be a listening ear and offer support. The start of a new school year can be scary, but it can also be exciting.

30- Tell them how much you love them. Let them know that they are loved and supported.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. The most important thing is finding activities you and your kids enjoy. By spending time together, you will strengthen your relationship and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are some additional ideas that are specific to the Dripping Springs and Austin area:

• Sauer-Beckmann Farm. This is a great place to learn about the history of the area and see some farm animals.

• The Pound House Farmstead. Take a step back in time and into the rich history of Dripping Springs at the Pound House Farmstead Museum.

• Natural Bridge Caverns. This is a popular tourist destination that offers tours of the caves and so much more.

• Dripping Springs Farmers Market. This is a great place to buy fresh produce and other local goods.

• Dripping Springs Library. This is a great place to check out books, movies, and other materials. Check out their summer activities calendar.

• Old Tunnel State Park. See 3 million bats leave on their nightly excursion just down the road in Fredericksburg.

• Science Mill. Check out the amazing children’s museum in Johnson City.

• Almost Grown Cafe. A fun indoor play place for the littles right here in Dripping Springs.

• Reimer’s Ranch. Go hiking, take a dip in the Pedernales River, and just explore this natural park that’s right here in Dripping Springs.

Bird Feeder

• To make an easy bird feeder you will need:

  • Ice Cream Cone

  • Nut Butter

  • Bird seeds

  • Pipe cleaner

  • Scissors

• How to make it:

  • Cut a hole on the bottom of the ice cream cone. Just big enough to let the pipe cleaner pass through.

  • Roll one end of the pipe cleaner and pass it through the whole you made on the cone. The rolled-up end will be what holds your feeder and the other end will be used to hang it.

  • Spread the butter on the ice cream cone. Make sure there is enough butter to hold the seeds

  • Pour the bird seeds over the cone (you could also pour the seeds on a paper plate and roll the cone on it)

  • That’s it! Now you just have to hand it outside and watch the birds.