This content may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Learn more at the bottom of this page or read my full disclosure policy.

Sharing This!

How to Use Quality Time In A Relationship

How do you express quality time love language?

Of all the Love Languages we touched on so far, this one is my absolute FAVORITE.  With everything we have on our plates as moms, working women, and wives it can be really easy to neglect the use of this love language. Even I’m guilty of that (and this is my primary love language *gasp*). But I found hope in this one simple tip. You’ll find the answer as you keep reading!

In the remainder of this article you’ll learn  :

• A simple definition of quality time. 
• The real quality time meaning. 
• What does quality time together mean?
• What to do if you’re having “love language quality time problems”

What Is Quality Time In A Relationship?

Quality time is more than just being in the same space as your spouse. If you are in the same room, but in two different worlds, you are not practicing QUALITY time.

So what is considered quality? What qualifies as quality time varies from person to person. To master this love language, you have to become a student of the person you’re extending quality time to. How do you give someone quality time? Start by learning what is important to the people you’re trying to show love to. Next, start pursuing those things WITH them.

Remember that quality time tip I promised to share? Here it is; Quality over Quantity. That’s it! That’s the tip. You don’t have to commit huge chunks of your day to spend time with your husband (although how nice would that be?!). But what you need to make sure of is that the time you get to spend together is intentional, engaging, and high quality.

What is couple quality time? Couple quality time is time that you and your spouse spend together prioritizing and enjoying each other.

What about quality time as a family? We’ve got an entire section below that covers that in depth. Keep reading!

Is quality time important in a relationship? YES! We know this through statistics but also many of us have experienced this in our own relationships and even witnessed it in other people’s relationships (our parents, best friends, church friends). Couples need time together to grow together. This becomes even more essential if quality time is the way your loved ones best recognize or receive love.

What love languages are most compatible? If you’re using love languages correctly you don’t have to worry about compatibility. You’ll be successful with them even if your spouse has a different love language. You simply have to learn to speak their language. It’s not a compatibility issue, it’s a love and humility issue. Gary Chapman speaks more to this principle in his book The Five Love Languages 

How to Avoid Love Language Quality Time Problems

Problems?! Yup. See, The Five Love Languages are methods of communication that happen by accident. We have to be intentional about them. When a loved oned one has made their love language (which is a fancy way of describing the way they recognized love) and we don’t tend to that area, we create problems. Quality time is a love language that is really susceptible to that. How can I improve quality time with my partner and avoid that? By cultivating healthy habits. There are some simple and practical habits you can create that will make any Quality Time persons feel loved and respected. Take notes! You might want to start implementing them NOW. Remember, a little consideration goes a long way.

1. Set consistent date nights (more tips for this in the next section).

2. Put your cell phone away (or at least down) when your loved ones are talking to you.

3. Set boundaries to protect your time with your spouse and family. Don’t let other tasks, projects, or people takeaways from your alone time.

4. Engage in conversation. Ask questions. Respond thoughtfully. Give more than “yes” or “no” answers.

And if you’re really struggling to carry a fun or meaningful conversation with your hubby consider giving these conversation prompts a try!

5. Laugh together.

6. Listen as much, if not more, than you talk.

7. Be purposeful with your time.

8. Do things together

9. Take an interest in his hobbies. Yes, that may mean you end up snuggling in his lap with his arm wrapped around you while he plays a video game or two. Enjoy the moment. It’ll make his day.

10. You know that consistent date night you set; NEVER cancel it.

11. Be home at a decent hour. Evening and night tend to offer plenty of opportunity for intimate moments. Don’t miss out.

13. Take advantage of the time you have together when the kids are napping or out of the house. Perfect for one on one time!

14. Start your day together. Sip some yummy coffee from your his and hers coffee mugs. 

15. Make eye contact often. Even if you don’t have anything to say. Catch his eye. Smile. Wink. Be present.

Are you ready to brainstorm some quality time love language ideas? We’ve got ideas for couples and families below!

Couples Quality Time Examples

Below you’ll find examples of quality time activities and daily opportunities you have to create quality time.

1. Plan a movie date. Think of your spouse’s favorite movie, or one you both have been wanting to see, and make it happen.
2. Have a monthly weekend “away”. You don’t have to go far. Maybe a local hotel for a night or send the kids to grandma’s and have a special night in.
3. Go for a walk together. Hike a new trail or revisit a favorite one.
4. Plan a couples night out and have fun with friends together.
5. Meet your sweetie at work for a quick lunch break.
6. Visit a local farmers’ market. Ours usually have live music, great food, and tons of little goodies to enjoy.
7. Find a “Married Life” group at church and do activities with the group.
8. Work out together.
9. Go hiking,
10. Do a couple’s massage.
11. Have a Caramel Apple date! This is perfect for people like me who love fair food but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to get it. Caramel Apples at home? Yes, please!
12. Plan a Camping Trip.
13. Put together a couples Scavenger Hunt!
14. Try a new restaurant featuring food you haven’t eaten before.
15. Go to a painting class together.
16. Read a book together! It could be anything! A couple’s devotional (we really enjoyed this one!), a good fiction read, or an instructional book that will help you reach a common goal (get out of debt, start a homestead, travel the world, start a video blog or side business, etc.)
17. Start a DIY project together. We actually just finished making three-tier bunk beds for the kid’s room in our new house! It was a lot of fun to do something new and hands-on like that.
18. Make a date out of planning your date nights. Brainstorm potential date ideas, write them on a card,  put your date cards in a binder, and voila, you’ve got yourself a DIY Date Night Book. So fun, and super helpful!
19. Swim at the beach.
20. Get a list of your state’s national parks and spend the year visiting each and every one of them. As of today (11/28/18) we are five parks down and plenty more to go!
21. Plan a sledding trip. Of course, you’ll need snow for that. And some sledding saucers. You can’t have a sledding date without saucers.
22. Volunteer Together. At a youth group, soup kitchen, grocery store, or even your kiddos school or daycare. Be helpful and purposeful together.
23. Bake Cookies. Or pie. Or banana bread. This banana bread recipe from Coco and Ash is over the moon delicious.
24. Re-pot Flowers or make a home garden.
25. Go dancing.
26. Go stargazing. I’m not going to lie, some of my favorite moments with my husband and when he pulls me out of bed to look at the stars. Make sure to take a telescope! The view will take your breath away.
27. Play 20 Questions! I know we think we all know our marriage partner, but let’s be honest. There are probably still surprises in there that you would enjoy learning. Stories to tell, things to laugh about. I’d bet you anything.
28. Have a candlelight dinner at home (after the kids are in bed of course)
29. Have an Around the World Date Night! You may not be able to physically travel around the world, but you can get creative! Why not experience the food and culture of different nations right there in your kitchen?
30. Play a board game.
31. Just talk to each other.
32. Create a bucket list.
33. Go to a wine tasting.
34. Cuddle before bedtime.
35. Write each other love letters.
36. Head to your favorite restaurant for some quality time and carry out!

There you have it! 36 Ideas to get you started! And of course, there’s always room for more suggestions! Now onto the next big topic, quality time with family.

Spending Quality Time With Family

The quality time love language is a language that extends beyond just married. We can use it in our workplaces, our communities, and even at home with our families.

Another word for quality time is undivided attention. That’s actually the perfect quality time synonym because it reminds us the whole point of this love is to show love by putting the rest of the world on hold and giving our time and attention to the one in front of us.  Like I mentioned before, it doesn’t have to be a huge time-intensive thing. Research shows that 10 minutes of quality time, just 10 minutes of giving your undivided love and attention, can greatly improve the wellness of your relationship. To learn how this impacts parent-child relationships check out Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages of Children. 

Quality Time Love Languages Ideas for Kids

1. Family game night!
2. Family Bible study and worship.
3. Plan a one-on-one activity with your child.
4. Cook a favorite meal together.
5. Take a quick few minutes to pull your child close and pray for them.
6. Read a book together! There are plenty of book suggestions and tips for family reading time in The Read A Loud Family.
7. Pull out some side-walk-chalk!
8. Have a paint date! Either at home or a literal paint night at an art center.
9. Explore a new hiking trail.
10. Turn on some music, belt some tunes, and clean the house together.
11. Help with homework.
12. Try a new sport together.
13. Make a shopping list together.
14. Spend special time with your kid every day.
15. Watch a movie together.
16. Listen to their jokes and stories and stay engaged.
17. Write letters together.
18. Ask them to tell you the best part about your day.
19. Find out what their hobbies are and take an interest in them.
20. Create a project you can enjoy together.
21. Bake dessert together.
22. Pull out the crossword puzzles, word searches, and word games!
23. Plan a fun impromptu celebration.
24. Ask them how they want to contribute to holiday meals and help them accomplish their part.
25. Give them opportunities to talk about their feelings, struggles, and challenges.
26. Send your teenager a “lets hang out” text!
27. Make a bucket list together!
28. Talk about what God is teaching you and doing in your personal life.
29. Talk about things that are important to you AND them.

Quaity time is such a great way to show kids you love them. I don’t know who said it first but I love this quality time quote,

To a child, love is spelled T-I-M-E.
– Anonymous

I would argue the same is true for adults. Quality time definitely goes a long way in relationships.

Want to Learn More About Love Languages? Check out these posts:

Words of Affirmation for HIM

Read This if Your Husband’s Love Language is Gifts

Acts of Service Love Language Ideas

Physical Touch Love Language Ideas 

TWEET THIS!

50 Ways to Love Your Husband Using Quality Time Share on X