19 small ways to build a strong bond with your child

There's nothing more magical than introducing your kids to movies you loved as a child – from Sleeping Beauty to Mary Poppins.

Other options: let them introduce some of their favourites to you or discover news ones together, from Super Mario Bros to Elemental.

Our top 100 kids' films of all time provides plenty of inspo.

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Once in a while, instead of telling your child that you’re too busy to play, put down whatever you’re doing and join in.

Whether you're having a playdough picnic together, doing Barbie's hair or lining up all the cars in the toy box in colour order, these little moments will make a big impression on them.

Your child will love looking through old photos, and it's a great way to learn about family history and where they've come from. It could be a great bonding activity to do with their grandparents, too.

You can talk them not only about your younger self but what life was like (those gadgets sitting on the desk in the photo are actual rotary phones!).

An early morning walk is a great opportunity to chat without distractions, and is proven to reduce children’s stress levels and promote feelings of happiness. Plus, it avoids the daily headache of where to park the car!

At the breakfast table, in the dentist’s waiting room or in the garden on a sunny afternoon …

Reading together – from Julia Donaldson to Roald Dahl classics – is as much about bonding as learning. So don’t stop as they get older: even kids who can read independently love to hear a story out loud.

Spending 10 minutes a day sitting on your child’s bed while they play, read or potter about can give you a real insight into their life.

It brings some quiet companionship into daily life.

Try to eat as a family whenever you can, and make the dinner table a tech-free zone.

Sharing a meal and a conversation is a brilliant opportunity to stop what you’re doing once a day and connect with each other properly.

Young children love role-play games, with dressing up in character an integral part of the process.

You might not be able to squeeze into your child's princess dress or Spiderman onesie, but you can always make a paper princess crown or superhero mask and join in.

Singing songs and playing instruments with your child and other family members is a great way to bond. You don't have to be a musical whizz or even be able to carry a tune.

Even listening to your favourite bands together can make for fun and special time.

What better way to spend a cold/rainy Saturday afternoon than to bake with your child?

It's probably going to get messy, so just give in to the notion that there will be some clean-up afterward. Get your child involved to extend together time and watch the cake in the oven.

It can slip your mind when you’re in a rush.

But research shows that couples who kiss hello and goodbye are happier, and we’re pretty sure the same applies to parents and kids, too.

It’s not easy to connect with your child if you’re always towering above them, so get down to their level: lie on the floor and build a train track, look at a comic together or just watch TV.

It will physically make you a part of their world.

Sharing a laugh with another person is scientifically proven to strengthen the bond between you, so have a tickle fight with your child or tell your cheesiest 'knock knock' joke.

They'll love seeing their parent get silly and you'll see them at their happiest.

From 'Under the sea' to 'Be our guest' there's nothing like a sing-a-long to lift your spirits!

Why not have a special playlist for the car to make long journeys less boring? Altogether now, 'Let it goooooo ...'.

Improved social skills, better communication, a sense of fair play: just a few of the things your child will gain from a family game of Snap! or Snakes and Ladders.

Plus they'll get the benefit of having your undivided attention.

Check out our list of the top family board games

It takes only seconds to scribble a few words on a Post-It and hide it in a lunch box, pillow or in the pocket of a coat.

It will make your child feel special and loved when they find it.

Kids can’t resist a selfie, so put your phone to good use and take some goofy pictures together.

Duck faces at the ready ...

You and your child, snuggled up together under the duvet with nowhere else you need to be.

It’s the little moments like this that make the biggest difference.

Add some extra softness by washing your bedding with Fairy Non Bio. Fairy Non Bio PODS® and Washing Gel give everything a gentle clean. Add a cap of Fairy Fresh Fabric Conditioner or Fairy Outdoorable Fabric Conditioner for super softness.

Awww.