Required Materials
Posterboard and pencils (optional)
Word processing software (optional)
Video recording device
These days life is busy for every family. Studies show that even though most of us know that it’s important to eat dinner as a family, it can be hard to coordinate everyone enough for that to actually occur! Even if we get it together once, it can be hard to make regular family dinners a habit.

In this activity, you will create a plan for a family meal night and implement it. There are several factors that you will need to examine, especially since every family is different.

Step 1: Think up a New Tradition
First, think about what your family’s biggest challenge is when it comes to sitting down together for dinner. Is it everyone’s different schedules? Is it that no one likes to cook? Maybe it feels like there’s little to talk about, making mealtime seem awkward?

Once you have identified your family’s challenges, think about how you could overcome them. If your family is super busy, look over everyone’s schedule. Could there be one night that all family members are home?

If there’s not really a good cook in your family, think about the food your family likes to eat. How could you share the load or maybe learn together? If it’s lack of motivation, try to see if you can think of something that could get everyone excited. Could you set up a theme night? That would give you an activity and topic for conversation.

Using posterboard or a word processing document, create a Family Dinner Night Plan. This will be a playbook that will include everything your family needs to plan a great dinner night together. Give your new tradition a name, based on the need you identified.

Step 2: Share the Load
Once you have your idea in mind for your family meal night, it’s time to coordinate so that this new tradition doesn’t just fall on one member of the family. Think about the tasks that need to be performed to successfully get this meal on the table: who will come up with the menu? Who will shop for ingredients? Who will prepare what part?

Even little ones can have a role by setting the table or gathering items for activities. On one part of your posterboard, create a Roles area. List the members of your family and the roles that they will need to fill.

Step 3: Set the Scene
Everyone will want to eat together if the table looks inviting. Create a diagram showing how you will set the table for your special night. What will be needed on the table? What would make it fun?

On another part of your posterboard or digital poster, draw or design the layout of your table. Remember to include serving ware as well as any festive or special supplies.

Once finished you should be able to present this posterboard to your family to show them your ideas. Now it’s time to put the plan into action!

Step 4: The Main Event
Make a short video of your actual family meal night. In the video, record yourself and your family members practicing proper table manners and etiquette. Be sure to highlight your food presentation and the table service you have created for this occasion.