Anyone else feel like 48 hours is not a sufficient amount of time to do all the weekend things? More often than not, weekends fly by in a blur. When your days are filled with errands, chores, birthday parties, sports, and a long to-do list, it’s easy to wake up on Monday morning wondering where the hell the time went.
Although they feel like it, weekends don’t have to be just a catch-up zone for everything left undone during the week. With some gentle intention, you can shape your Saturdays and Sundays into slower, more relaxed spaces for your family.
This is the heart of slow family weekends: creating routines that balance rest, connection, and simple joy.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only share products I truly love and believe will add value to your life. Thank you for supporting this cozy corner of the internet!
Why Slow Family Weekends Matter
Children thrive on routines, and so do parents. When weekends are overscheduled or spent only tackling housework, families miss out on the rest and relaxation. Anyone else need a nap? Or ten.
Shifting toward slow family weekends offers:
- Time for connection. Space to simply be together, without rushing and chaos of your honey-do list.
- Memory-making routines. Small, repeated traditions kids will remember into adulthood. My husband and I work full time so my parents watch the kids while they aren’t in school. This means they have them full time during the summers. My kids ALWAYS help do the poop patrol before grandpa mows, then they get their little watering cans and water all the plants after grandpa mows. These simple routines are things my kids absolutely LOVE. They look forward to them and I get to hear all about it afterwards. Even routine chores can be a great time for connection and memory-making.
- Balance. A blend of rest and productivity so you can begin the week renewed and refreshed.
- Simplicity. Freedom from the pressure to “do it all” in two days.
Instead of busy, scattered weekends, slow living invites cozy, grounded ones.
Elements of Slow Family Weekends
Here are gentle ways to shape your Saturdays and Sundays into something more benefiting for everyine:
1. Create Anchor Rituals
Anchor rituals are small traditions that give your weekends structure without rigidity. Examples:
- Choose a morning (Sundays for us) to do pancakes or waffles as your staple breakfast.
- A Sunday afternoon family walk. Your dogs will love this option too.
- Evening movie night with popcorn and blankets.
- A weekly weekend local trip. We like to head to the parks around town either just to play or we’ll pack a picnic. Getting outside is a great way to refresh.
These rituals don’t need to be fancy. They just provide shape and familiarity to your slow family weekends.
2. Embrace Nature Together
Nothing slows the pace like being outdoors. Choose one simple nature-based activity each weekend:
- A walk in the woods or local park.
- Tending to the garden together.
- Collecting leaves, shells, or rocks for a nature table. Take a small basket or container to collect all the “treasures” your kids will find.
- Watching a sunrise or sunset as a family.
Kids especially benefit from time outside. It calms their nervous systems and encourages creativity.
3. Make Chores Cozy and Shared
Weekends always bring laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning. Instead of rushing through, try letting your kids be a part of these jobs:
- When I’m doing laundry, my daughter loves to fold the hand towels. The regular bath towels are bigger than she is but I know she’ll work her way up to those. Doing laundry together is a great way to let your kids help with mundane chores.
- Give kids their own grocery list with small items to find. Bonus points if your local grocery store has the kid sized carts.
- Make tidying up into a “10-minute challenge.”
Not only does this lighten the load and mood, it also teaches responsibility and teamwork while keeping the slow pace intact.
4. Plan One Special “Together Activity”
Choose one thing each weekend that feels special for your family. This doesn’t have to mean an expensive outing. It could be something like:
- Baking bread or cookies.
- Visiting a farmers market.
- Doing a seasonal craft.
- Having a cozy reading hour with cocoa.
The goal is to have something that feels joyful and intentional, anchoring your weekend memories.
5. Save Room for Rest Time
Slow living requires margin. Consider adding quiet time each afternoon. Even 30 minutes of quiet play or reading in bedrooms can help kids recharge (and give parents a break). My kiddos are still small enough to take an afternoon nap most days. I use this time to recharge myself before heading into the evening routines.
Embrace naps, blankets on the couch, or even just sitting outside together. Your kids will learn to value rest when they see it modeled.
A Sample Slow Family Weekend Flow
Here’s how slow family weekends might look in practice:
Saturday
- Morning: Pancakes together, light housework with music
- Midday: Farmers market or nature walk
- Afternoon: Quiet reading + rest time
- Evening: Family movie night with popcorn
Sunday
- Morning: Slow breakfast and church or family walk
- Midday: Simple lunch and garden time
- Afternoon: Craft, puzzle, or board game
- Evening: Tidy-up together, prepare for the week, early bedtime
Not every weekend will follow this perfectly, but having a general flow creates that calm and connection.
Practical Tips for Success
- Say no to overscheduling. Limit how many commitments you accept during the weekend.
- Keep meals simple. Sandwiches or soup and bread are perfect weekend foods.
- Use candlelight or music. These small touches instantly shift the atmosphere.
- Involve kids. Let them help plan meals, choose the movie, or suggest the weekend activities they want to do.
- Leave margin. Don’t fill every moment—allow space for spontaneity.
Why Slow Family Weekends Are Worth It
When you choose slow family weekends, you reclaim your time and energy. You’re teaching your kids that life doesn’t always have to be rushed or overscheduled. But instead, it can be full of simple joys: warm meals, cozy rituals, being together, and rest.
When they’re well into adulthood, your kids won’t remember every activity or chore you made them do. But they will remember pancakes on Sunday mornings, farmer’s market trips, and the feeling of safety and warmth in your family routines.
Final Thoughts
Weekends don’t need to be jam-packed to mean something. By embracing slow family weekends, you create the kind of memories that truly last—ones made from rest, coziness, and connection.
The gift of a slow weekend is not just for your children—it’s for you, too. It’s permission to breathe, to savor, and to enjoy the life you’re building together.
Read the other posts in the series: