50 Tech-Free Family Fun Ideas

Remember when we were kids? I remember spending my weekends riding my bike, or making cubby houses, or swimming. We were always active and having fun. My kids are much the same, but if I leave a device within their reach, they love to play games or watch a movie, and can easily spend hours lost with their eyes glued to the screen.

I won’t lie, sometimes I love the peace and quiet that it offers, so I can take time for myself while they’re preoccupied and happy. I also try to be really mindful about having balance, and creating fun for the kids that doesn’t involve technology. I’ve put together 50 fun family ideas for you to do together that don’t involve technology. Hanging out as a family is really important, but it can be as simple as taking 10 minutes to be together. Check out these fun, easy and tech-free ideas…

50 Tech-Free Family Fun Ideas

1. PARTICIPATE IN A TRYATHLON
The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlons are a great way to get kids outdoors and active. Every child is celebrated for trying their best and giving it a go. There are two more events for the year in Brisbane and Townsville later this month. It involves a swim, run and ride, and you can read more about it here.

50 Tech-Free Family Fun Ideas

We headed to the Gold Coast event over the weekend, and while Lacey wasn’t feeling up to participating, we supported friends who got involved and loved how family-friendly the whole event was. It was all about kids giving it a go, and about TRYing {get it? TRYathlon}, and making everyone feeling like a champion. Bupa is a big supporter, and had their Team Family Zone, so we headed there to create some cheer cards and get our own Team Family photo. It was so nice to be out in the sun, doing something healthy and fun together.

50 Tech-Free Family Fun Ideas

2. GO FRUIT-PICKING
Hopefully you live near an area that is nearby to a farm that offers fruit picking. You might be able to choose from berries or apples, and bring home fruit snacks for the week.

3. GO FOR A WALK
Take a stroll around the block, at the beach, or along a local walking track.

4. PLANT A GARDEN
My kids LOVE getting out in the garden and doing some weeding. You could plant some new herbs, or a new plant and give the kids the responsibility of watering it to keep it alive.

5. PLAY HOPSCOTCH
All you need is some chalk and a stone, and you can get hopscotching. If you forget how to play, check out this article.

6. KICK A BALL
Grab a ball, head to a local field and get kicking!

7. PLAY FRISBEE
Frisbees are so much fun, once the kids get the hang of throwing one, of course. Find a large area, and give it a try.

8. FLY A KITE
Try and pick an area that isn’t protected from the wind, and a day that there is a little wind around and take the kite out for a fly.

9. MAKE PLAYDOUGH
There’s no doubt about it, kids love playdough. I love this recipe, as it doesn’t require any cooking at all.

10. GO ON A PICNIC
It doesn’t have to be gourmet – simply pack a few sandwiches, some fruit and a blanket, and pick a spot to have a picnic. The kids will love it.

11. PLAY A BOARD GAME
We’re just getting into board games with our little family, and find that they’re a great way to spend time together. We love Family Feud, Monopoly and Pictionary.

12. PLAY HIDE & SEEK
Choose an area with a few trees and things to hide behind, and have a game of hide and seek.

13. GO TO THE LIBRARY
Head to your local library, read some books and maybe even borrow some. If you’re not a member already, take some identification so you can sign up. Also check out their events, because they might have reading time for the kids or other activities.

14. DO AN ART PROJECT
Take a quick look at Pinterest and find inspiration for your next art project, and then get creating.

15. VISIT LOCAL WATERFALLS
There are so many little hidden waterfalls dotted around Australia that are so worth checking. Ask other locals, check out your local visitor centre or do a quick Google and see what sights you can see near home.

16. DO A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS
I love this. Of course it’s not really random if you plan it out, but try and do something kind to a stranger, and have the kids help out.

17. GO ON A BIKE RIDE
Grab your bikes, your helmets and some water to drink, and try out some local riding tracks.

18. EXPLORE THE LOCAL FARMERS MARKET
There are local Farmer’s Markets around most towns, check out this blog post to find one near you.

19. DO A PUZZLE
You can pick up a puzzle from your local Op Shop, or toy shop, or you might even have some at home. Set it up on the dining table at home, and see if you can finish it in one day.

20. COOK DINNER TOGETHER
Let the kids scour a cookbook, choose a recipe and then get cooking together.

21. GO SWIMMING
If the weather is nice and warm, head to the beach, river or local swimming pool. If it’s a little on the cool side, check out the indoor pool for a warmer althernative.

22. PLAY WITH A PET
If you’ve got a pet, spend some time together as a family playing with the furry member of your family.

23. VOLUNTEER AT A LOCAL CHARITY
Why not donate some time as a family to help out with a local charity. You could visit a nursing home, or search for other ways to help out here.

24. VISIT A RELATIVE
You could visit any relative you have. Nanna usually loves a visit from her favourite little people!

25. GO ROLLERSKATING
Pack some socks and head out for a little rollerskating {like the old days!}.

26. GO BOWLING
Ten-pin bowling is so much fun. Make sure you pack socks, and your sense of competitiveness!

27. BUILD SANDCASTLES
Head to the beach and build sandcastles. Build one together as a family, or make one each and have a castle-off!

28. DO CHALK DRAWINGS
Pop down to your local netball courts, or other paved area and get drawing!

29. GO HIKING
Pack a backpack with snacks and drinks, and put on your best walking gear and go on a hike with the family. It’s always fun to explore somewhere new.

30. BUILD A CUBBY HOUSE
You could build a blanket fort inside, or a proper cubby outside. The kids will have hours of fun playing in it.

31. VISIT THE MUSEUM
How long since you’ve visited the museum? Take the kids and show them around.

32. FIND A NEW PLAYGROUND
I know we seem to visit the same parks over and over again. Get on Google and see what other parks are in your area that you could check out.

33. TRY A NEW FOOD
Get a little bit brave and try a food you’ve never tried before… and make the kids be a but adventurous too.

34. VISIT A NEW PLACE
Within a hour of home, find a place that you haven’t yet explored and get visiting! You might even like to give the kids a map to help you navigate while driving.

35. CAMP IN YOUR BACKYARD
Set up a tent, and camp out in your own backyard.

36. HAVE A WATERFIGHT
Use waterguns, waterballoons, sprinklers, buckets, or whatever your weapon of choice is, and have a waterfight!

37. VISIT THE ART GALLERY
We love, love, love our local art gallery. Many art galleries have programs for kids, and their displays change regularly. Check out yours too, and see how much fun you can have.

38. FEED THE DUCKS AT THE PARK
We used to do this so much as kids. Be sure to check out what ducks are meant to eat, and then head down and give them a snack.

39. DO A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
You could make slime, or a volcano or another science experiment. So much fun!

40. GO STAR-GAZING
On a clear night, take a blanket and lie down and check out the stars in the sky.

41. MAKE PAPER AEROPLANES
Grab a whole heap of paper and make different styles of paper planes and see how far you can make yours fly.

42. MAKE A FAIRY GARDEN
A little glitter, and your tiniest toys, and you’ve got yourself a little fairy garden.

43. READ A BOOK OUTSIDE
Take a blanket, your best book, and find the shade of a nice tree and read a book with the kids.

44. MAKE A TIME CAPSULE
Create a little time capsule with things that are popular right now, and don’t open it up for another 20 years. What will you put inside yours?

45. MAKE A FRIENDSHIP BRACELET
All you need is some string and a good YouTube tutorial and you can get creative!

46. WRITE A LETTER
Write a letter to someone you miss, or an old friend, and send it off.

47. PLAY MINI GOLF
Mini Golf is SO much fun! Have a morning or afternoon of fun, and hopefully get a hole in one.

48. WATCH THE SUNSET
Google when the sun is setting, and then head out with the family to watch it set. It’s rather calming and beautiful to experience.

49. GO SCOOTING
If you’re lucky enough to have scooters, head out with the family and go scooting!

50. WRITE A STORY
Write a story together as a family. It will be fun to decide on the characters and the storyline together.

50 Tech-Free Family Fun Ideas
What’s the Make Life Good Challenge? It’s a collaboration between Fat Mum Slim and Bupa to make life better, healthier and happier. Over the year we’ll tackle 52 easy challenges to make life more awesome. Read more about the challenge here, and join us on Facebook here {we’ve got an amazing, inspiring and supportive group!}.

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