It’s that time of year again when kids and their parents are preparing for the first day of school, and thus, the back-to-school blues may ensue.

But are you missing your kids already? Sending them off to school does not have to mean that fun is over until next summer. In spite of busy work and school schedules, as well as extracurricular activities, you and your family can still enjoy fun times together!

The following are suggestions for activities that you can enjoy with your family even on a tight schedule:

1. Get fresh air. Evening strolls in the cool September air or picnic breakfasts at the park on the weekends are both nice, healthy ways to spend quality time together as a family.{{cta('0276f199-cee7-4a0e-830e-5fbb311abd19','justifyright')}}

2. Bowling anyone? One game of bowling takes less than an hour and is fun for parents and kids of all ages! Plus, it gets your kids to put down their phones and enjoy the here and now.

3. Go for a drive. After a long, busy day, why not take a drive by the water and relax in comfortable silence, as you and your family gaze out into the sunset and watch the boats sail by?

4. Put on your dancing shoes! Whether it’s Just Dance for Wii or your favorite tunes played from your iPod, or even an old-fashioned CD player, dancing is fun, free and good exercise, too!

5. Now playing... A late-night movie (on the weekend, of course) is also a neat way for you and your family to gather together, cuddle on the couch, and reconnect after a non-stop week of running to work, school, and practice.

6. Have a meaningful conversation. Choose any topic. Sharing your thoughts and ideas with your kids and listening intently to theirs, shows them how you value not only your time together, but who they are as individuals.

Of course time is limited once school starts. But you don't have to wait for school vacations to spend meaningful time with your family. It only takes a few moments to create memories that will last a lifetime.