Recreational activities do not have to be extravagant, and although they are meant to be fun, it is important that they are also a way in which we can bond with our family members. Research studies regarding family recreation have provided evidence in how to make "wise recreational choices" (Hawkins, pg. 230).
In studies of married couples, participating in activities both partners enjoy was not necessarily as important/effective as participating in a joint- recreational activity, meaning that there are high levels of communication and interdependence. This could include something as simple as playing a game like checkers, or going on a hike.
When a couple has children however, it is important to also choose activities that help children become flexible and curious (Hawkins, pg. 231). I can think of many great examples of what this means from my own childhood. My parents had my siblings and I involved in many sports, including soccer, basketball, and baseball. As a young child, my mom was my soccer coach for a season, and my dad was my, as well as my other siblings, basketball and baseball coach for many years. Each of my parents were actively involved, and through coaching us in various sports and having my siblings and I play on teams together, we were able to bond. Our parents taught us kindness, sportsmanship, and helped us gain confidence and security.
That was not all we gained though. Research also shows that recreational activities promotes healthy adolescent identity development (Hawkins 231), and as my siblings and I got older, my father no longer coached us, but that did not keep us from spending time together in other ways. Whether it was playing a board-game, or going camping, we made sure to make recreational activities a part of our family life, and I can personally say from experience that it definitely helped me in my identity development. I did not suffer from very many problematic behaviors, had greater confidence in myself, and was a pretty good/well-behaved teenager; I know much of that can be attributed to my family life. Of course, we were not perfect, but our time spent together made a significant difference.
There are so many different options of things our families can do when it comes to wholesome recreation. I'm not going to tell anyone what they should specifically do, but I will say that it is important to make sure that many of the activities you do with your spouse and family are interactive, and positively contribute to the family. Do things that are fun, communicative, challenging, and/or memorable.
"Just as honest toil gives rest its sweetness, wholesome recreation is the friend and steadying companion of work." -Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Wholesome recreation has taught me not only how to have fun, but how to work hard, and work well with others. I am so grateful that my parents taught me the importance of family recreation at a young age, and my hope is to carry that on in my own family one day.
Going on an ATV ride with a some of my siblings as part of one of our family recreation activities:
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