When life gets too busy, it may seem difficult to find fun activities to enjoy as a family. Different schedules and family members responsibilities pull each of us in different directions. We all know how this feels. It is important to spend quality time together as a family. Swimming is a great activity that the entire family can enjoy. It is a fun way for families to spend time together and bond while doing something healthy and meaningful.

Bond and Connect

Spending time together in the pool allows families to bond and connect. Research shows that playing games can grow interpersonal (bonding) connections; and, games also give people the opportunity for hands on fun. Playing games in the water is a great way to connect with your child and family. Parents can turn games into learning as well. It is a great time to reinforce what kids are learning in swim lessons, and also work on floating, rolling, jumping in, breath control, and kicking in the pool. Parents can play games with more skilled swimmers and engage in fun competitions.

We have all heard of the importance of skin-to-skin contact with our infants. Play time in the pool encourages close contact and skin-to-skin time, which encourages strong bonds. Many places offer parent participation classes, like the Aqua Babies-Tots class, which enable parents or any adult caregiver to get in the water and spend some quality time playing, learning and bonding.

Get Phyiscal

Pool time also allows for a fun physical activity that the family can do together. Swimming is a great physical activity, and often it does not even feel like exercise. Swimming increases your heart rate and is a low impact activity. It is great for all ages. Swimming helps to build endurance and helps build muscle. While in the water your heart and lungs are getting a much-needed work out to stay healthy.

Don’t Stress

Most families can tell you the true definition of stress. Running from place to place, sports, school, homework…you name it. Time in the water is proven to help reduce stress. Swimming releases endorphins in your brain. These are the hormones that help you feel happy. Having positive feelings connected to water also helps children gain trust and build confidence in the water. Swimming together allows for a low stress time that each family member can enjoy.

Building Community

Swimming together can help build communication as a family. It gives uninterrupted time for the family to connect. Without all of the media and device distractions, the pool allows each family member to be fully present with one another, and to put the devices down. It also allows time to meet new people and build connections in a social setting. You can interact with your own family and with others, gaining social skills that will help build strong bonds for a lifetime.

No matter where you live, make time to find a place where your family can spend time in the water together. If you don’t have access to a pool or open body of water, when you plan your next family trip, be sure to add “water” to the must-have lists when looking at destinations or accommodations.