As a professionally certified coach, mom of three, and top podcaster with over five years of experience helping thousands of high-achieving moms, I’ve seen how easy it is to slip into autopilot when it comes to parenting.

Between drop-offs, laundry, work, and the constant noise of daily life, it’s no wonder so many moms come to me saying, “I feel like I’m doing everything… but I don’t feel connected.”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and the solution isn’t to do more. It’s to be more present in the moments that matter. The good news? Connection doesn’t require hours of your day or elaborate plans. You can build stronger bonds with your kids in small, meaningful ways starting right now.

What I’m sharing below are 15 research-backed, real-life-tested activities I’ve used in my own home and with the moms I coach. These are based on principles from child development, psychology, and years of practical coaching experience. Pick a few to try this week—and see how quickly the energy shifts in your home.

Activities To Increase Connection With Your Kids

1. Play a game they love
Child psychologists agree that child-led play is one of the best ways to build secure attachment. Let them pick the game—even if it’s not your favorite—and join in without trying to teach or correct. This builds trust and shows them you value their world.

Example: Your 4-year-old is obsessed with Uno. Even if you’re tired, say “yes” to a quick game so you can connect with them.

2. Go on a walk and let them lead the conversation
We do this with our double stroller and the dog most evenings. Even a 10-minute walk gives them space to process their thoughts and feel heard. I usually ask, “What was your favorite part of the day?” and just listen.

Example: We walk around our neighborhood most evenings with the whole family and dogs. One night, my oldest told me about something that happened at soccer that he hadn’t mentioned all day. It is amazing what my kids share when I’m quiet!

3. Create a nightly one-on-one bedtime routine
According to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, routines help children feel safe and loved. A simple 5-minute check-in, story, or cuddle session each night goes a long way. At our house, we share our top feelings as well as our “peak” and “pit” from the day, which helps with connection.

4. Bake something together
The sensory experience of baking—measuring, pouring, tasting—creates rich bonding moments. Let go of the mess (I say this as someone who used to cling to tidiness!) and focus on the laughter. I love baking with my boys. We often only eat a bit of what’s baked, then toss the rest (so they don’t have too much sugar). It’s about the fun connection during the baking that matters most.

5. Build a fort
Imaginative play is key for emotional development and creativity. Even if it lasts just 10 minutes, getting down on the floor and entering their make-believe world makes your child feel seen.

Example: My boys love building forts! Mostly they do this when the weather is cold, rainy, or snowy (we live in Chicago after all) and it never gets old. We mix up where in the house we go for forts, too.

6. Start a “Yes Day” tradition
Say “yes” to ice cream before dinner and jumping in puddles. Say yes to everything, so your kids can see that it’s not all “rules” or “no.” Of course you can have some things off limits to as part of the day, too. Even once a year, this kind of freedom can help your kids feel deeply loved.

7. Look through old photos or baby books
This one is so sweet and often overlooked. We flip through printed photo books with our boys and tell stories about when they were babies. It’s a powerful way to reinforce identity, belonging, and love.

Example: One of my clients, a pediatrician and mom of two girls, started a Friday night tradition of looking through old baby photos before bedtime. She said her daughters now ask, “Can we see when I had no teeth again?”—and it’s become a sweet way to wind down and feel close after a long week.

8. Exercise together
Physical closeness in a calm setting helps regulate their nervous systems—and yours. I’ve done “Mommy and Me” gym time with my boys, and the benefits last far beyond the session.

9. Eat a meal with no phones or distractions
The Gottman Institute reports that regular family meals are linked to better emotional well-being in children. Make it screen-free and ask open-ended questions like, “What was something funny that happened today?”

Example: One mom in the membership, a full-time attorney, shared they now do “tech-free Taco Tuesdays.” She said, “I used to scroll through email at dinner without even noticing. Now, we all talk about our highs and lows of the day, and I feel more connected to my son than I have in months.”

10. Let them teach you something
Switching roles empowers kids. Whether it’s showing you a soccer move or explaining how their favorite toy works, being the “teacher” boosts their confidence and reminds them their voice matters.

Example: One of my coaching clients has a very shy 8-year-old boy. She started asking him to “teach her” one new thing each weekend—like a card trick or how to draw a dragon. She said it’s helped him open up and feel more confident around her and others.

11. Do a craft or art project
There’s something about creating together that builds connection. Even simple coloring with crayons lets you talk without pressure. (Bonus: it supports emotional expression for kids who don’t always have the words.)

I often color and do crafts with my boys! We love getting special crafts and coloring pages for the holidays, as well as venturing out to a local craft store for something new.

12. Whisper something sweet to your kids
Affirmations spoken softly—especially during quiet moments—help kids feel seen, safe, and unconditionally loved.
Example from me: I whisper things like “I love being your mom” and “I’m proud of you just because you’re you.” It’s a calm, simple way to connect, especially during cuddles, bedtime, or transitions.

13. Have a mini dance party
Movement releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin, which foster bonding. We crank up music and let loose—it’s silly and fun, and it resets everyone’s mood. I have a special playlist for the family that’s a go-to for our dance parties.

14. Create a secret handshake or code word
These small rituals are powerful. They’re like inside jokes that remind your child: “I belong here.”

15. Just sit and cuddle
No talking, no teaching. Just cuddling. Especially for younger children, this nonverbal closeness communicates more than words ever could. Some of my most cherished moments are the quiet ones—when I let myself slow down and just be.

Parenting Resources:

A Final Note

Connection doesn’t require perfection—it requires presence.

You don’t have to be available all the time. You just have to be fully present some of the time.

So, choose one or two activities from this list and try them this week. Pay attention to how your kids respond. Notice how you feel.

And if you’re craving more support and structure for connecting with your kids, managing your mindset, and enjoying motherhood again—come join us inside the Mom On Purpose Membership. It’s filled with moms like you who want more calm, joy, and intentional living.

You’re doing better than you think. And it’s never too late to reconnect.