Gaming gets a bad rap as a solitary activity, but some of the best digital traditions involve building something together. This isn't about watching them play; it's about getting your own avatar and getting in there.

Set up a family "Realm" or a local server. Make it a tradition to add one new room to your "Family Mansion" every Sunday morning. It’s digital LEGOs, but you don't have to worry about stepping on them in the middle of the night. It teaches resource management, architectural planning, and—most importantly—how not to lose your cool when a Creeper blows up the kitchen your 8-year-old spent three hours building. Learn how to set up a safe Minecraft server for your family

This is the ultimate "low-stakes" tradition. Checking in on your island, trading fruit, and helping each other pay off mortgages to a capitalist raccoon is surprisingly bonding. It’s a "cozy game" that fits perfectly into a morning routine before school or a wind-down ritual on weekends.

If your family thrives on a bit of chaos and trash-talking, lean into it. Digital competition is a great way to teach sportsmanship in a medium they already care about.

The gold standard. It’s accessible enough for a preschooler (with the auto-steering turned on) but competitive enough to keep parents engaged. A "Friday Night Cup" where the winner gets to pick the Saturday morning movie is a classic tradition that never gets old.

Most kids know Kahoot! from school, but it’s an incredible tool for family gatherings. Create a "Family History" quiz for birthdays or holidays. Seeing who actually remembers what Grandma’s first car was or what the dog’s middle name is creates instant engagement. Check out more educational games that are actually fun

Passive watching is fine, but "Curated Watching" is a tradition. Instead of letting the Netflix algorithm decide what's next, take turns being the "Programmer."

For older kids, introduce the art of the "Bad Movie Night." Watch a truly terrible movie and encourage everyone to "riff" on it. It’s a great way to build media literacy and a shared sense of humor. If the movie is a stinker, you’re not bored; you’re a critic.

I don’t care how old your kids are; Bluey is the rare show that actually models how to be a better parent while entertaining the kids. Making a tradition of "one episode of Bluey before bed" isn't just about the screen—it's about the 10 minutes of play that inevitably follows because the show gave you a new idea for a game. Why Bluey is the best show for parents and kids alike

Use tech to create something tangible. This moves the "digital" part into the "real world."

Spend a rainy afternoon making a family movie using LEGOs or clay. It’s tedious in the best way—it requires patience, collaboration, and a lot of giggling when the "actor" accidentally falls over. The tradition is the "Premiere" night where you air the 30-second masterpiece on the big TV with popcorn.

Create a "Family Road Trip" collaborative playlist. Everyone gets to add five songs. Yes, you will have to listen to some questionable stuff (looking at you, JoJo Siwa), but it’s a living document of your family’s tastes over the years.

Ages 3-6: Focus on "Co-viewing" and "Co-playing." At this age, the tradition is about your presence. Use apps like Toca Boca World to play "house" digitally.

Ages 7-12: This is the sweet spot for collaborative gaming and creative projects. They have the motor skills for Minecraft and the humor for Kahoot!. This is also when you start seeing "digital envy" regarding what their friends are doing, so anchoring them in family-specific tech rituals is key.

Ages 13+: Traditions become harder as they seek independence. Lean into "Shared Utility." Maybe it’s a family Discord server where you share memes, or a shared Letterboxd account to track movies you've watched together. Respect their space, but keep the digital door open.

Building traditions doesn't mean ignoring the risks.

You don't need to be a "pro gamer" or a tech genius to do this. In fact, it’s often better if you aren't. Let your kids be the experts. Let them teach you how to "floss" in Fortnite (even if it’s cringey) or how to craft a diamond sword.

The "tradition" isn't the app itself—it's the fact that you’re showing interest in their world. When you ask, "Hey, can we work on our Minecraft world for 20 minutes?" you're speaking their language. You're acknowledging that their digital life has value, and you want to be part of it.

Digital traditions are about intentionality. We spend so much time as "digital police"—checking screen time limits, blocking apps, and worrying about "brain rot." Traditions allow us to be "digital partners."

Pick one thing this week. Maybe it’s a YouTube Saturday morning where you watch three science videos from Mark Rober together. Maybe it’s a Nintendo Switch tournament. Whatever it is, make it yours.

The pixels will eventually fade, and the apps will eventually be deleted, but the feeling of "we did this together" is what sticks.