Looking for family activity ideas to keep the kids entertained, while also making beautiful memories together? Sometimes you want to do more than just go to the park together, but you’re stuck for fun ideas to do together as a family. Never fear, I’ve got ideas aplenty here.
I’ve put together 32 really fun, and easy family activity ideas that you can do together as a family. You’re on the home stretch baby, just knock off a few of these fun ideas and you’re going to be laughing, smiling and loving your way back to school.
32 fun and easy family activity ideas
1. PLAY A CARD GAME
Oh card games rock! I’ve mentioned we love playing UNO before, but there are many more. You can play SNAP! or Go Fish! too.
2. VISIT THE BEACH
I love the beach as a family trip. You can swim, build sandcastles, or just totally chill out. We go super early to avoid that bright, cranky sun.
3. GO ON A PICNIC
Packing the picnic basket is part of the fun, so get the kids involved. Grab some bread rolls, bottles of water, salad and some chicken teriyaki kebabs.
4. GO GEOCACHING
This is the best fun. All around the world little gems are being hidden, waiting for you to find them. I use this Geocaching App, and it’s so much fun. Just pack a pen, a little notepad, and some little trinkets to put into the Geocache when you find it.
5. GO TO THE LIBRARY
Visit your local library and borrow some new books. My girls LOVE doing this!
6. HAVE A STAYCATION
No need to jet off to another part of the world for a getaway, stay where you live. Book a hotel {cheap is good!} and explore your home town.
7. GROW A HERB GARDEN
All you need is a pot, some herbs {you can grab them from your supermarket}, and some soil and you’re on your way. Let the kids go crazy. Best of all you get to eat your garden later.
8. EXPLORE A NEW PLAYGROUND
There are so many amazing playgrounds around our beautiful country. Check out this Playground Finder, and check out a new one close to you.
9. PLAY A BOARD GAME
Get out your old board games and have a family game night. Try Twister, Monopoly, Pictionary or anything else you’ve got hanging in the cupboard.
10. GET THE TO KIDS NAVIGATE
A fun game I used to play with the kids I looked after was this; I’d blindfold the kids and then drive for around 15 minutes, making sure they didn’t peek. Then I’d tell the kids to try and get us home. They loved the challenge!
11. LET THE KIDS COOK DINNER
This will depend on the age of your children of course, but they love knowing they’re contributing to dinner. If they’re old enough to chop, let them chop up ingredients using a kid safe knife, or if you’ve got teens on your hand… let them make the whole dinner.
12. GO FOR A BIKE RIDE
Get on your bikes and explore the world as your ride along. Here’s 25 beautiful bike trails in Australia for you to try.
13. PLAY SHOW & TELL
My girls love this! They love show and tell at school, so they’ll do the same at home… and we get involved too. Stand in front of your family and talk about something, showing it off.
14. GET IN YOUR GARDEN
I know this sounds weird, but my kids love weeding. We put on our gloves, crank some music and weed together as a family. They love the quality time together.
15. GIVE TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Teach your kids about giving, and have them bake something, or pick flowers to give to a neighbour. It’s a great way to get to know the people who live near you, but also teach generosity too.
16. MAKE A CUBBY
We recently made a proper cubby in our backyard, which I love… but before then I’d make cubby houses out of the lounge with sheets, or under the dining table. Kids love a good {or bad} cubby house!
17. WATCH A SPORTING GAME
I know some people will roll their eyes at this, because sport… but trust me the atmosphere at a game is as fun as the game, or even moreso. It’s great for kids to see the fun in team sport, and to get excited about supporting a side too.
18. GO TEN-PIN BOWLING
This is an awesome family activity. If you’ve got a big family, you can even make mini-family teams!
19. GO ON A NATURE WALK
Explore a little nature track and check out plants, wildlife and the beautiful scenery.
20. GO ROLLER-SKATING
Perhaps it’s been years since you wore skates, but it’s still a fun activity to do. Our local rink has free lessons on Saturday mornings, so check out your rink and see what they offer. My daughter has these skates which she loves, she’s been skating around at home and at the netball courts too.
21. PLAY FRISBEE
Pack a frisbee, head to a local field and have fun!
22. CREATE A FAMILY ARTWORK
Buy a canvas from a local cheap shop, and some paints and get together to make an artwork together. It will make a great talking point in your home.
23. VISIT A LOCAL FARM AND PICK FRUIT
Near home we have strawberry farms and other farms where you can go and pick fruit. Find one near you and get together to collect some goodies from the garden.
24. PLAY UNDER THE SPRINKLER
Just like you did as a kid!
25. TRY A NEW FOOD OR CUISINE
Look up a directory of your local eateries and pick somewhere entirely new. Let your tummy travel to Japan, Mexico, Malaysia or where ever your taste-buds take you!
26. PLAY PUTT-PUTT GOLF
Try for a hole in one! A little competitiveness between family members is always fun.
27. DO A PUZZLE TOGETHER
I’m not talking a small one, get a HUGE puzzle that really challenges you and tackle it as a family.
28. GET BAKING
Bake cookies, or a cake together and have fun in the kitchen. I’ve got a whole heap of tried and tested recipes for you to try.
29. GO CAMPING
Even if it’s in your own backyard! Try camping as a family.
30. GO ON A PHOTO WALK
Have your family play photo a day, or take photos while you go on a little walk. I love the little Instax cameras for kids because the photos are instant and so much more fun!
31. HAVE A FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
When I ask Lacey what her favourite thing from her childhood is, she tells me about the movie nights I used to host for her. I’d make her buy a ticket from me, I’d put on a movie, serve her popcorn and we’d chill out together. It was and is so much fun!
32. RAID THE RECYCLING
Get crafty, and raid your recycling to make fun creations. Turn your trash into art just by adding some glue, a bit of sparkle and a whole lot of creativeness.
Which of these fun family activity ideas will you try first?
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Oh I love the idea of doing a family artwork. I don’t have kids of my own but regularly spend time with my godchildren and am always looking for fun new activities. A great list thank you ?
Such a great list Chantelle! We love sporting events – I recently took my kids to the Big Bash cricket and they loved it.
Great list! It’s always great to come up with new ideas to entertain the whole family.
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