101 Fun Family Activity Ideas

Having quality time together is important for any family. What you do isn’t as important as simply having time and being together, but, of course, every family has different types of activities that they enjoy. I put this list together for those times when you’re struggling for ideas. There are more than 100 activity ideas listed here, and they’re organized in several categories. Browse through the list with your family and pick out some that would be fun for you.

Be sure to bookmark this page so you can reference it again later when you need some more ideas.

Games

Games are great activities for the whole family, and there are endless options. Of course, the focus of our site is games for the gameroom (like darts, ping pong, and many others) but there are plenty of other possibilities as well.

• Play in the Gameroom
• Play a Board Game
• Play Card Games
• Put Together a Puzzle
• Bowling
• Mini Golf
• Play Paint Ball
• Go-Cart Races
• Arcade
• Chuck E. Cheese
• Laser Tag
• Create a Scavenger Hunt

Outdoors

Outdoor activities are a favorite of many families. Every season brings different possibilities.

• Camping in the Backyard
• Have a Bonfire
• Make S’mores
• Outdoor Movie (see this article for instructions on how to make an outdoor movie screen).
• Stargazing
• Go to a Playground
• Garden or Arboretum
• Go Berry Picking
• Picnic at the Park
• Go to a Lake
• Rent Canoes/Boats
• Swimming
• Go the the Beach
• Build a Sand Castle
• Fly a Kite
• Throw a Frisbee
• Play with a Hose / Sprinkler
• Water Fight (Squirt Guns or Balloons)
• Jump in a Pile of Leaves
• Sledding
• Snow Tubing
• Build a Snowman
• Have a Snowball Fight
• Visit a Farm
• Go to a Wildlife Refuge (see this list of U.S. National Wildlife Refuges by state)
• Fishing
• Feed Ducks
• Play Hide and Seek

Sports and Exercise

If you have an active family that loves sports, of course, there are lots off things you can do together. Here are just a few ideas.

• Rollerskating
• Ice Skating
• Skiing
• Hiking
• Bike Ride
• Play Tennis

Events

Many of the activities in this section will cost some money, but they can be a lot of fun and create plenty of memories. If budget is a big issue, go for the free options. Instead of going to a professional sports game, go to a little league game or a local high school game. Many towns and cities have free concerts and events occasionally as well. Some museums also have free days.

• Attend a Sporting Event (professional or amateur)
• Attend a Concert
• Go to the Movies
• Drive-In Movie
• Museum
• Art Gallery
• Zoo
• Aquarium
• Amusement Park
• Plan a Family Vacation Together

Fun at Home

There are plenty of things you can do as a family at home. Here are just some of the possibilities.

• “Camp” in the Living Room
• Have a Pillow Fight
• Have a Talent Show
• Have a Home Magic Show
• Costume Party
• Make Your Own Costumes or Masks
• Have a Dance Party
• Make Your Own Obstacle Course
• Make Home Movies
• Tell Stories
• Make a Time Capsule
• Watch a Movie at Home
• Video Games

Arts & Crafts

If your family enjoys arts and crafts that are lots of fun things you can do that everyone will enjoy.

• Paint
• Draw/Color
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Make Tie-Dye T-Shirts
• Make Jewelry
• Make Puppets
• Make Homemade Playdoh
• Photography
• Make Your Own Fun Photo Props (this article has some great ideas)

Be Productive

Time together as a family doesn’t have to be all about fun and games. Sometimes it’s great to do something productive, either for your own family or for others. Many of these options can also be excellent teaching and learning opportunities.

• Learn a New Skill or Start a Hobby as a Family
• Clean the House
• Home Project (Like Painting a Room)
• Paint a Wall Mural
• Build a Fort or Tree House
• Have a Yard Sale
• Shop at Yard Sales
• Start a Garden
• Do a Charitable Project
• Serve Dinner at a Shelter
• Write a Letter to a Soldier (see this page for information)
• Collect Unused Items Around the House to Give to Charity
• Wash the Family Car (or an Elderly Neighbor’s Car)
• Rake Leaves for a Neighbor
• Take a Meal to a Shut-In
• Yard Work or a Landscaping Project

Cooking and Food

Food is a big part of family life, and there are plenty of things you can do at home, or out.

• Cook a Meal or Make a Desert
• Bake Cookies
• International Dinner
• Make Your Own Pizza
• Make Homemade Ice Cream
• Make Ice Cream Sundaes
• Go Out for Ice Cream
• Go Out to Eat
• Go to a Farmer’s Market

This list provides provides many ideas and possibilities, but really it is just the start. Use the ideas here to get your own creative juices flowing, and decide on some activities that will be a good fit for your family.

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