This post is a collaboration with TV Licensing (a trademark of the BBC), but all thoughts and experiences are my own.
We often think about the small, positive moments that can make a big impact on a child and their familyโs wellbeing. We tend to think of our crafting and printable activities as bonding moments. However, it IS possible to use screen time to create special moments in families. Sometimes this can be overlooked. Glimmers are those small, positive moments you can look out for to promote joy. They are an important part of creating positive mental wellbeing and promoting self-care. Noticing them can become a habit, and it is surprising where you can find them if you look hard enough.
Glimmers really CAN even be seen, and created, using family screen time, from watching films on TV,, to live sporting events or talent shows.
Using screen time to find glimmers can be one of the most accessible ways to create them, as it is surprisingly simple โ it happens right in our living rooms, in front of the television. Watching TV with specific intentions at the weekend with your kids, when done thoughtfully, can become a wonderful tool to build connections, nurture interests, and provide a sense of belonging together as a family.
The power of shared TV time
TV watching is sometimes cast in a negative light, but it can be a rich opportunity for family bonding when approached intentionally. It isnโt just about sitting on a couch โ itโs about creating shared experiences where parents and children can laugh together, cheer for their favourite teams, or even explore big feelings and new ideas. By engaging with our children in their interests, and programs about these on the TV, we invite them to share a part of their world with us, helping us to foster trust and understanding.
This can be particularly true with teenagers, as they pull away from us to find their own identities. TV can offer a place to connect with them and enjoy the same things they do, becoming a point of interest that can even bridge generations.
Here are some ways TV watching can create meaningful โglimmersโ for you and your family, which is part of KiddyChartsโ contribution to the BBC TV Licensing Rest and Connect Campaign, including examples from my own experience as a parent:
1. Film nights to build connections
A family film night is so much more than just sitting down and watching a film together. Itโs about creating a cosy, welcoming space where everyone comes together to enjoy an awesome film. We love a Disney classic like Toy Story, and Moana, or a Harry Potter film, as do both our children โ and they still do as teens. Whatever works for your family can be a great night in, particularly if you are willing to make it fun with movie popcorn holders, themed snacks, and dimmed lights. It can then feel like a special event for the family, rather than just whacking on a film ๐.
To make this time even more meaningful, why not talk about the movie afterwards? What did your children enjoy? Which character did they relate to? Was there a theme or lesson that stuck with them? For some of the older films on Amazon Prime and ITVX, you can even talk about how times have changed, and attitudes are different. There has been a lot of healthy discussion about sexism afterwards ๐ค
All of these reflections spark fascinating conversations and give you an insight into your kidsโ thoughts and feelings. We have a series of activities for movies that you can take your pick from too.
2. Cheering together during sporting events
Some of my strongest memories as a mum are the big events on TV that we have watched together: from the London Olympics in 2012, to the World Cup and home cricket matches. For sports-loving families, watching live sports together, whichever channel it is on, offers a unique sense of camaraderie, and can spark interest in outside activities in our kids too. We now regularly watch live sporting events, and our children play golf, football, cricket, and beyond thanks to the inspiration of the athletes, sportsmen and women on television. Super Sunday Football is almost always on at the weekend in our house, particularly if Liverpool or Spurs are playingโฆ.
In addition, whether your child is obsessed with basketball, football, or even skateboarding competitions, tuning in to a sporting event they love shows that youโre truly invested in their interests. You can cheer together, discuss game strategies, or debate over which team shouldโve won. Trying to remove your support bias naturally ๐.
These sporting moments can offer subtle opportunities to teach your child about teamwork, fairness, perseverance, and sportsmanship. When they see you cheering as hard as they do, it helps strengthen a sense of belonging and shared excitement.
3. Laughing through comedy shows
Laughter IS the best medicine. It releases endorphins, the stress-relieving chemicals within the body. Comedy shows can be a brilliant way to foster joy together as a family. Light-hearted sitcoms, comedy quizzes, or family-friendly stand-up specials can provide those moments when youโre all laughing until your stomach hurts. Would I Lie to You is one of our family favourites, as, frankly, is anything with Bob Mortimer in it. The man is a genius!
These shared moments of joy can help release stress, strengthen emotional bonds, and create beautiful memories you can all look back on fondly.
Humour is also a great way to teach children resilience. By laughing together at silly mishaps or outrageous jokes, they learn how humour can lift their spirits in tough moments too.
4. Helping children understand themselves
TV can also be a tool for self-discovery. Shows or movies that explore identity, emotions, or life challenges can give children a safe platform to think about their feelings and experiences. For example, a teen drama might touch on friendships, struggles with self-confidence, or navigating responsibilities. Shows like Boarders on BBC iPlayer in particular has helped me explore teenage themes with my children and clients.
Watching these kinds of shows together gives parents an opening to discuss these topics in a non-intrusive way.
Ways to sneakily bring in some of this (!) might include talking about the characters and their reactions to situations. For example:
- What do you think about what that character just did?
- Have you felt like that before?
- Iโm wondering how that character might feel now that has happened. This can help to foster empathy in particular with your kids, which in turn helps them to navigate complex social relationships as they grow.
Even if your child doesnโt want to open up right away, theyโll know that youโre there to talk when theyโre ready.
5. Balancing screentime with meaningful engagement
Of course, balance is key. Too much screen time can lead to disconnection, but when you approach it mindfully, TV watching can be a powerful way to connect.
To help do this, what about setting intentional boundaries by planning TV time as a shared experience rather than an isolated habit?
This could mean choosing one or two nights a week for family TV time, rather than everyone watching separate devices every evening in different rooms.
Having said this, it IS important to respect your childrenโs boundaries, particularly your teens, and their need to be alone. Watching TV alone can be incredibly restorative for some, particularly if itโs a favourite show thatโs been watched a several times. It can offer a safe place to wind down.
Once the credits roll, consider complementing screen time with related activities. If youโve watched a nature documentary, maybe plan a family hike that weekend. If your child loved a filmโs musical score, encourage them to try learning an instrument. These ideas can help to reinforce the value of shared experience while broadening the moments of connection for you all.
Building trust, comfort and connection with your kids
At its best, shared TV time shows our children that weโre genuinely interested in their worldโwhat excites them, what makes them laugh, what they find meaningful. Itโs a way to say, โI see you, and Iโm here with you.โ When children feel seen and understood, theyโre more likely to trust us with their challenges, dreams, and everything in between.
These glimmersโpositive, restorative momentsโdonโt have to be grand or elaborate. Sometimes, theyโre as simple as laughing at a silly joke or offering a comforting presence during a suspenseful scene. What matters is the intentional effort to carve out a space where your family feels united and uplifted.
By turning TV time into a tool for connection, youโre nurturing the bonds that matter most. And in a fast-paced world, those glimmers of connection might be just what your family needs.
If you would like to check out some of our film ideas on the site โ do check these out:
IntoFilm Resources
Enjoy more of our IntoFilm movie resources and printables below for you to explore!
Toy Story 4 Worksheets: How to use Toy Story to help kids to learn
Enjoy Toy Story 4 with your kids in a different way by checking out this post and learning how to use Toy Story to help kids learn.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory film Worksheets to help kids learn
Introduce your kids to a classic in a different way - teach them to learn through film with IntoFilm and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Moana Activity Sheets: How Moana helps kids to learn
Print out these fun Moana activity sheets to help kids to learn through film.
There are also a few more options from KiddyCharts here too:
Printables based on movies
Here are some printable sets related with certain movies kids would like to watch.
Spies in Disguise activity pack
Train kids to think more creatively with this wonderful book.
Free Ugly Dolls colouring pages and who's who
The Ugly Duckling has been a very popular folk story that kids will love to watch repeatedly.
The Grinch activity sheets (Dr Seuss)
The grinch might not be an evergreen movie, but kids still love it. For fun, you can get kids watch the movie anytime they like.
And some offsite here:
Activity ideas based on movies
Kids will be more enthusiastic towards several subjects related with movies they love.
Make Your Own Tinker Box & Build Robots {STEM Project for Kids}
You can do this activity after watching Baymax movie. Get them more enthusias
Wizard Fun: Make your own Alchemy Lab
Doing alchemy, which is inspired by Harry Potter, will make kids more motivated to learn science.
How to make a LEGO catapult
Lego movies will make kids more inspired. Here is a wonderful way to get more
Thanks, as always, for coming to visit us. We would love to have you back soon.
Take care,
Helen
Note: Your TV Licence lets you enjoy a huge range of Live TV. It covers you for:
- All TV Channels like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Dave and International channels โ but you donโt need a licence if you only watch non-BBC channels on demand,
- Pay TV services like Sky, Virgin Media and BT โ but these are platforms that could have both live and on-demand services,
- Live TV on streaming services, like YouTube and Amazin Prime Video,
- Everything on BBC iPlayer.
This includes recording and downloading on any device.
Helen Neale
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, website editor and a qualified counsellor with experience of working with both children and adults.She is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists, with her own private practise. She also freelances with her local Mind organisation.Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, use those grey cells at the same time, and supplement her counselling income.KiddyCharts has reach of over 680k across socials and the site. The site works with big family brands to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. She is a specialist counsellor for neurodivergent individuals and brings this expertise to her resources and the site. She is also an ADHDer herself.KiddyCharts gives 51%+ profits to charities, focused on supporting mental health and a community in TanzaniaHelen has also worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!