So many dads have been fooled by our culture, fooled into believing more money and more things will be better for our kids than more dad. The TV tells us to buy more stuff. The movies make us want things we think we need. The message from american media is clear,  "If you love your kids you will buy them the latest video game, bike, or barbie dreamhouse."  Wrong. 

The truth is our kids are happier experiencing life with us (their family) more than a life filled with video games and action figures.   

Unfortunately, many dads are perfectly happy to fill their lives with work because they are afraid to man up and act like the leader, teacher, and example they are should be. In the ministry, we often let the church take over our lives until our wives and children are so far down the list they end up hating the very community of believers they should love and care about the most!  

Culture has taught men (preachers included) that concepts like playing with our kids, and doing things with our wives or families make us weak. 

 Let's face it,  men are afraid to seem vulnerable, this fear is what keeps modern men locked into work, or sports, or even church rather than seeking the very thing that will make them,their family, and their church stronger--family time.  Remember brothers and sisters, it is time--not toys that will be cherished by your family in the years to come.  It is time--not toys that will make your family strong enough to weather the storms of life.  And for you dads, it is time--not toys that will make the difference between a good dad and a great dad. 

Want to connect with your wife and kids? Spend some time with them. Here are 50 ideas that will help you begin. 

1. Climb a tree.
2. Collect stamps
3. Go on a family mission trip.
4. Play Basketball
5. Go to the rodeo.
6. Sing!
7. Watch clouds.
8. Go to the Museum
9. Take Karate.
10. Pretend to be dinosaurs.
11. Go to the planetarium.
12. Collect coins.
13. Volunteer to help with VBS.
14. Play in the sprinkler.
15. Collect bugs.
16. Make sock puppets.
17. Have a puppet show.
18. Eat Ice Cream.
19. Golf.
20. Play “Trivial Pursuit.”
21. Stargaze.
22. Plant a garden.
23. Visit a Nursing home.
24. Make a Pizza.
25. Exercise together.
26. Go to the fair.
27. Make a tree swing.
28. Collect leaves.
29. Bake bread.
30. Make music.
31. Have a cookout.
32. Jump rope.
33. Go to the Circus.
34. Eat Breakfast in bed.
35. Feed the birds.
36. Have a Backyard Bible Club.
37. Clean house.
38. Play Hide and Seek.
39. Play Ping-Pong.
40. Technofast.
41. Wear hats.
42. Rhyme.
43. Make mud pies.
44. Play “Clue.”
45. Go to a petting Zoo.
46. Bake a cake.
47. Go to church.
48. Sing in the Choir.
49. Roast Hot dogs.
50. Ride a train.

More

Time not Toys

Another 51 fun ways to connect with your spouse, your children, and your church.

1. Go for a walk together.
2. Bake cookies.
3. Read to your children.
4. Play “Monopoly.”
5. Ride Bikes.
6. Rake the yard.
7. Eat dinner together.
8. Volunteer at your child’s school.
9. Blow bubbles.
10. Pray together.
11. Play “Twister.”
12. Have a Tea party.
13. Hunt for treasure.
14. Skip.
15. Cook together.
16. Fly a kite.
17. Skate.
18. Finger paint.
19. Build a fort.
20. Write a letter to the President.
21. Cut the preacher’s grass.
22. Make lemonade.
23. Sell lemonade.
24. Act out a child’s book.
25. Go swimming.
26. Make up a story together.
27. Go to the park.
28. Ride a horse. (or pony)
29. Be clowns.
30. Go camping.
31. Roast marshmallows.
32. Go to the Zoo.
33. Pretend to be monkeys.
34. Go to the Library.
35. Play croquet
36. Visit the state capitol.
37. Have a picnic.
38. Play ball.
39. Go fishing.
40. Study the Bible together.
41. Volunteer.
42. Make homemade holiday cards.
43. Worship together.
44. Take pictures.
45. Watch fireworks.
46. Play “Frisbee.”
47. Go to a ball game.
48. Make a scrapbook.
49. Walk the dog.
50. Make Ice Cream.
51. Smile at each other.

Stronger families mean stronger churches. 

Start spending time with  your family today!