With busy lives full of activities, school and work, spending time together as a family can sometimes feel like just one more thing to fit in. But there are some very good reasons why making time for each other matters. Child psychotherapist Dr. Colman Noctor shares his 10 simple ways to have time as a family together.
The support of family is one of the most important factors in helping children cope with life’s ups and downs. Engaging meaningfully in close relationships helps nurture a child’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth, and can greatly improve their chances of good mental health down the line. An investment in togetherness is an investment that pays dividends for years to come.
Here are 10 simple ways to spend more family time together.
#1. Be Active Together
Families who describe themselves as close often share physical activity together. It doesn’t need to be organised or expensive — informally kicking a ball around the back garden or walking the dog together works just as well. What matters most is the shared experience, not the activity itself.
#2. Create Sacred Spaces with No Tech
It’s not unusual for families to end up watching TV in separate rooms, or scrolling through devices at the dinner table instead of talking to each other. Creating “sacred spaces” — times or places where technology isn’t allowed to intrude — can help protect family time from getting swallowed up by screens.
You might also enjoy reading 101 Fun Activities For Kids That Don’t Involve Screen Time
#3. Connect and Share
Togetherness is about intimacy and closeness. That sense of closeness sustains a relationship, often more than simply being physically near each other. Parents can build closeness by connecting in meaningful ways and sharing important experiences with their children — not just secrets or struggles, but dreams, hopes and desires too.
“We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.”
#4. Remember Togetherness Is Free
What matters is the time spent together, not what you actually do. When children are asked about their happiest memories, they most often mention simple things — a bedtime story, baking together — rather than expensive outings. Togetherness doesn’t need a big budget.
#5. Do Things the Kids Enjoy
Joining in with something your child loves — playing Lego, building a cushion fort — shows real interest in their world. Closeness grows when parents and children share each other’s interests and experiences, and these small moments of fun together strengthen the bond between you.
You might also enjoy reading 50 Things to Do for Your Children That Cost Nothing But Time
#6. Family Mealtimes and Movie Nights
Family rituals give structure to family life and create built-in opportunities for togetherness. In a busy world, it may help to schedule these moments deliberately — a regular family meal or a weekly movie night — and protect that space in the calendar.
You might also enjoy reading 50 of the Best Family Movies of All Time
#7. Balancing Extra-Curricular Activities
Busy after-school schedules are a reality for many families, but it’s worth building in a balance between activity and downtime. When chatting to your child about their activities, focus on their experience of it rather than their performance — ask how they felt about the game, not just how they played.
You may also enjoy reading Getting the Balance Right on After-School Activities
#8. Be Approachable
One of the most valuable things a parent can offer is an open, honest relationship where a child feels able to come to them with what’s bothering them. This kind of trust isn’t built overnight or in a crisis — it grows through consistent time and attention invested in the relationship over the long term.
#9. Value the Relationship
Family support is one of the biggest factors in helping children cope with adversity. Engaging meaningfully in close relationships nurtures a child’s self-esteem and self-worth, and supports their long-term mental health. An investment in closeness really does pay off.
#10. Relax and Have Fun
When everyone is more relaxed and having a good time, togetherness comes more naturally. Children consistently say they feel most connected when “everyone is happy” — so don’t stress about creating the perfect moment. Being relaxed together matters more than getting it just right.
The Family Togetherness Index
Research commissioned by Center Parcs Ireland, in collaboration with child psychotherapist Dr. Colman Noctor, developed a Family Togetherness Index to explore what brings Irish parents and children together and makes them happy. The first Index scored 65.3 out of a possible 100.
The nationally representative study, carried out among parents of children aged 16 and under, found a direct link between how happy a family feels and how much togetherness they experience. Satisfaction with quality time, physical activities done together, frequency of close moments, and work/life balance were the key factors behind the score.
In that survey, 17% of parents in Ireland said they felt “extremely happy” as a family unit over the previous six months, while 50% said they felt “happy”.
Over to you now — what’s your best tip for spending time together as a family? Tell us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is spending time together as a family so important?
Close family relationships help build a child’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth, and can play a big part in supporting their long-term mental health. Time spent together, especially in small, regular ways, helps children feel secure and valued.
How can busy families find more time together?
Look for small, achievable changes rather than big gestures — a screen-free dinner, a short walk after school, or a regular movie night. Scheduling these moments into the week can help protect them from getting squeezed out by everything else.
Does spending time together as a family have to cost money?
Not at all. Many of the moments families remember most fondly are simple and free — a bedtime story, baking together, or just messing around in the garden. It’s the shared time that counts, not the price tag.
You Might Also Like
- 101 Fun Activities For Kids That Don’t Involve Screen Time
- 50 Things to Do for Your Children That Cost Nothing But Time
- 50 of the Best Family Movies of All Time
- Getting the Balance Right on After-School Activities
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