Oct 1st 2019

For many, long working hours or a tiresome commute means they don't get the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a simple dinner with all the members of the family. This is unfortunate, because family dinner is an important habit to create. It’s a great routine to bring the loved ones together and close any distance that family members may be feeling. Now the question is: how to get the family together and improve the quality of family dinner? The answer is simple: make it fun!

Here are several tips to turn a quick and quiet dinner into a happy and exciting discussion where everyone draws closer. The dinner table presents a unique opportunity for bonding, since — let’s face it — food is always a good way to get people together.

Role Playing

Assign each family member a role so they’re all involved in the family dinner. From creating a weekly menu and preparing meals, to shopping for ingredients and cleaning up the kitchen, dinner-time jobs come in many shapes and sizes. Switch up the roles week after week, giving each family member a chance to help with a different area. Even the youngest of family members can play a part too!

A Regular Taste Test

Allow family members to pick out a recipe or a new type of food at the grocery store. Create a schedule for trying out new flavors and foods regularly and have the entire family vote on whether they like it or not. Pairing these new ingredients with something they like is helpful in case the new food doesn't go over so well. Most kids are picky in one way or another, so this is one of the ways to introduce new foods and encourage them to keep an open mind and try different cuisines.

Table Talk

Got a mason jar full of popsicle sticks and ask family members to write a question on each stick. At family dinner, take turns pulling out a stick and asking someone at the table a question. It could be super silly or really intense, but it's always a pleasure! It’ll serve as a great conversation starter and also teaches the kids how to ask open-ended questions and be good listeners.

The table talk can also be held as an after-dinner routine. Serve a hot steaming pot of the family's favorite tea and a couple of treats. One traditional treat that's a must try is Denmark’s well-loved traditional butter cookies. Small but flavourful, Danisa Butter Cookies are absolutely delicious, made with high standards and unparalleled craftsmanship, every single tin of cookies is an absolute delicacy.

Avoid Distractions

Make sure family dinner belongs only to the family by putting away distractions from the table. "No electronic devices allowed at the table" will allow everyone to take part in conversations at the family dinner.

Regardless of how long a family dines together, make it a memorable experience by trying one (or all four!) of those tips above. Family dinner creates an opportunity to show love, approval, and forgiveness. Additionally, it gives a chance to improve communication among family members!