The Most Underrated Way to Bond with Your Kids
More Than Hugs and Quality Time
As parents and grandparents, we’re always looking for ways to connect with the kids we love.
We plan special outings.
We read bedtime stories.
We try to limit screen time and have meaningful conversations.
But there’s one bonding tool that often gets overlooked. It's something so simple, so natural, and so powerful, it might surprise you.
It’s not a new gadget.
It doesn’t cost a thing.
It doesn’t require you to be creative, performative, or perfect.
It’s storytelling.
Storytelling: The Heartbeat of Human Connection
Long before books or screens, storytelling was how humans made sense of the world. It’s how we have taught lessons, passed down values, and expressed emotions.
And it’s still how we connect today... just think about how often we share stories in everyday conversation. When you tell a friend about your day, share a childhood memory, or retell a funny thing your kid said, you’re storytelling.
But here’s the question: Are you using this natural tool with your kids as much as you could be?
If not, you might be missing out on one of the most meaningful ways to build trust, understanding, and joy in your relationship.
Why Storytelling Builds Stronger Bonds
In our book, Creating Stories Worth Telling Your Kids, we share why storytelling is one of the easiest and most effective ways to deepen your connection with your child.
Here’s why it works:
1. It creates shared emotional experiences.
Whether you’re telling a funny tale or a story about your own childhood, storytelling stirs emotions: Laughter. Curiosity. Awe. Even empathy.
And shared emotions = shared memories.
2. It gives your child your undivided attention.
When you tell a story, you put down your phone.
They turn off the screen.
You make eye contact.
You’re both present.
That kind of focused time is rare and powerful.
3. It shows them who you are.
When you share stories from your own life or your imagination, your child gets a glimpse of you. Your values. Your humor. Your way of thinking.
It makes you more relatable. It makes you real. And it invites them to share in return.
4. It gives you a window into their world.
Children often reveal hidden thoughts, interests, or worries during storytelling... without even realizing it. When they suggest a character who is scared of making friends, or ask if the dragon can go to school, they might be sharing real emotions or situations they’re working through. This insight can be an incredible gift to you as it allows you to help them work through these challenges.
Storytelling opens a safe, imaginative space where your child can express what’s on their mind, sometimes more easily than through direct conversation.
But What If I'm Not a Storyteller?
Here’s the truth: You already are.
If you’ve ever shared a memory, told a joke, or made up a silly bedtime tale, you’ve told a story.
Still unsure where to start? That’s exactly why we wrote Creating Stories Worth Telling Your Kids. Inside, you’ll find:
A simple, repeatable storytelling framework
Prompts and ideas for every kind of story (real, made-up, funny, meaningful)
Encouragement for parents and grandparents who feel “uncreative”
Practical ways to make storytelling work in your real life—without the pressure of doing it every day
Because you don’t need a script to connect.
You just need a moment. And a willingness to try.
Real Bonding Doesn’t Always Need Big Plans
The next time you’re sitting in traffic, waiting at the doctor’s office, or winding down after dinner, try this:
“Hey, want to hear a story?”
You might be surprised by how quickly your child lights up.
You might hear, “Again! Tell me another!”
You might laugh together. Or cry. Or learn something new about each other.
And in that moment, you’ve done something powerful.
You’ve created connection.
You’ve built a bond.
You’ve told a story worth remembering.
Start Your Storytelling Journey Today
Want to feel more confident as a storyteller and start a meaningful new tradition in your family?
Creating Stories Worth Telling Your Kids is your step-by-step guide.
No pressure. No perfection. Just powerful moments of connection, one story at a time.
P.S. This bonding activity is:
Screen-free
Imagination-fueled
Cost-free
Perfect for kids ages 3–10
Easy to do anytime, anywhere
Let’s bring the magic of storytelling back into everyday family life.
