Lesson 10: Encouraging Enjoyable Family Activities

Although our families often work together and each family member has many individual responsibilities, it is important for a family to have fun together.

When planning family activities please keep these points in mind...

1.  Family activities should allow each family member to express special interests and capabilities. Each family member’s tastes and interests are valid, and family members develop greater love and understanding for each other as they accommodate each other’s interests.

2.  It is important to be positive and supportive as you participate in family activities. When we are negative and criticize others during family activities, the activities often cease to be fun. When we praise others and recognize their good qualities, we show love and help others feel good.

3.  Arranging our schedules to allow time for family fun may require sacrifices, planning, and changing priorities. The First Presidency said, "Young men and young women should balance their involvement in school and other social activities by participating in family activities and spending appropriate time in the home"

4. Family fun can be inexpensive. Most of us could easily come up with ideas for family fun that would be expensive. But being more realistic challenges us to stretch our imaginations and be creative.

The First Presidency has given us some specific counsel about the time we spend together as families: "Meet together often, and share the problems and successes of the day. Plan your work and activities together so that each person may do his share and contribute to a happy family. We promise that as you do this and as your family members regularly pray together, sing together, read and discuss the scriptures together, and share their testimonies with each other, love and harmony will increase in your home"