School, activities, birthdays, playdates, housework, yardwork, work… If your family life is anything like ours, it can be challenging to find a moment to just enjoy being a family. Gretchen Rubin wrote: “The days are long, but the years are short.” In 2026, this single sentence is perhaps especially relevant to our go-go-go North American society. How do we combat this? By giving one another the gift of time.
Consider scheduling a weekly family night to slow down, chill out, and reconnect. A happy family night often results in positive side effects. Your child might show signs of increased self-esteem and self-confidence, while you might feel less stressed and more centred. Don’t worry if you don’t have much time to spare, even an hour or two each week can make a world of difference. Here’s how to start:
Now, what should you do? Why not:
Cook a meal together. Use this time not only to teach your kids the basics of cooking, but to also introduce them to different cuisines like Mexican, Chinese, or Italian. This could also be paired with a movie night.
Movie night. Cuddle on the couch with popcorn and snacks to watch a family-favorite or something new. This is a great time to work your way through series such as Harry Potter®, Star Wars®, or Disney® and Pixar® classics. For an extra-special treat, hit the theatre.
Game night. There’s a lot to choose from for this one: Board games (ie: Monopoly®), card games (ie: Taco vs Burrito®), party games (ie: charades), video games (ie: Mario Kart®), conversation games (ie: Do You Really Know Your Family), children’s games (ie: hide-and-seek) – let’s just say, the options are endless! “Minute to Win It” games can also make for a hilarious and memorable night.
Sports night. Does everyone in your household love sports? Find a field and play a game of football, soccer, or ultimate frisbee. Other sports to consider for a family-friendly battle are basketball, pickle ball, ping-pong, and ball or ice hockey.
Artsy family night. Paint rocks, make mood boards, build and/or decorate bird houses, or tie-dye t-shirts. Think outside the box and get creative.
Just play family night. Get silly together. Play school or restaurant, build LEGO® structures and creatures, or entertain one another with a talent night. What skills do you all have? Is there a dancer, gymnast, comedian or magician in your house? If all else fails, turn up the music and sing your hearts out with a good old-fashioned karaoke night.
Holiday family nights. When a holiday swings around – such as Easter, Valentine’s Day, St Patrick’s Day, Eid, Diwali, Christmas, Chinese New Year – focus on that theme for one magical night. Make cards, decorate cupcakes, or craft ornaments.
Family essentials family night. Put together a time capsule, create family goals, or make a family bucket list. Select a charity that’s meaningful to your family, and fundraise or volunteer as a group.
Family night out. You don’t have to break the bank every week supporting your family gatherings, but every once in a while, spoil yourselves. Go bowling, play laser tag, or hit a round of virtual or miniature golf. Visit favorite Calgary attractions like Telus Spark, Calaway Park, or the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. Our family particularly loves playing the games at Activate.
Winter family night. Pick from one of the four winter S’s: skating, skiing, snowshoeing or sledding. Find a local cafe for a fancy hot chocolate or splurge on a holiday play. At home, spend a night decorating for the holidays and dressing up gingerbread houses. Build the coolest snowman – one all the other snowmen will be jealous of!
Summer family night. Now’s the perfect time for bike rides, river walks, geocaching, and backyard water fights. Enjoy ice cream from a trendy parlor somewhere new in the city or have a family BBQ, make s’mores, and play outdoor games like bocce ball.
Keep in mind that while it might be exciting to do something different each family night, making things more complicated isn’t always the best idea. Family night should be something to look forward to, not another bullet point on your to-do list. Sometimes, simple is best, and if your crew wants movie night every week, go for it! The point is to be together no matter what you do, fostering a sense of belonging and family unity.
Born in the prairies, Stephanie is a mother, cancer-survivor, cat lover, and avid traveler. Stephanie is also the creator of the family travel blog Next Family Getaway, nextfamilygetaway.com, where she shares trip ideas and travel advice for those traveling with kids.
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