6 Hobbies for the Whole Family

Gardening. A lot of kids love playing with dirt, and there is nothing you can do about it. So why not turn their little obsession into a hobby for the whole family? Gardening will help you teach your kids the importance of taking care of plants. And they will be extremely proud when they manage to grow an adult plant from a seed. You don't have to be seasoned gardeners to enjoy this hobby.

Hiking and camping. No matter where you live, there are at least couple of places in the neighborhood where you can feel closer to nature. While your children are small, you can just take walks in the nearby park or nature preserve. And when they grow older, you can try a camping trip. Nature exploration is a source of thrilling experiences, and these experiences are even better when shared with your family.

Volunteering. It is very important to teach your children abound the significance of contributing to the community. And the best way to do it is teaching through personal experience. Volunteering together at a local animal shelter, nursing home or elsewhere will instill very important values in your kids and bring you closer as a family. Doing good for others and the community provides a sense of accomplishment and makes you a better person.

Sports. Active hobbies are good for your health. They also make you happier because exercise makes you body release chemicals known as endorphins that are great mood-boosters. There are a lot of family-friendly physical activities that your entire family can do together. They include, but are not limited to, biking, bowling, swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing, skating, running. Just make sure to choose the activity that everyone will enjoy.

Reading. You keep telling your kids that reading is important, but when was the last time you read an interesting book yourself? Reading is so much more fun when you have someone to discuss the books with. So we suggest that your start your family's own book club. Make a list of books your want to read, set a (reasonable) deadline, and then discuss the books you've read. Don't worry if your kids are too young. Really good children's books are worth reading as an adult.

Exploring the city. What do you know about the city you live in, its history and landmarks? Sadly, we rarely pay attention to our hometowns and miss a lot of interesting things that tourists enjoy. So dedicate at least one or two days a month to exploring the city with your entire family. Visit all its museums, Google all its landmarks to learn more about them, admire the beauty of its parks. Seeing your hometown through the eyes of a tourist will make you appreciate it even more.