160 Fun Things to Do with Family of All Ages

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Save your family from boredom with these creative activities
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It’s inevitable—someone in your family says they’re bored and now you’re frantically trying to come up with something fun to do. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered! For this article, we interviewed professional life coaches and childcare experts to teach you all the best ways to have fun with your family. Whether you’re looking for something to do at home, outside , or for free , keep reading to find a fun and engaging activity for the whole family.

Fun, Family-Friendly Activity Ideas

  • Do something at home, like playing board games, having a movie night, or baking together.
  • Get outdoors and jump in the pool, play a sport, or go hiking.
  • Explore your town by visiting a museum, seeing historic sites, or trying a new restaurant.
Section 1 of 8:

Things to Do with Family at Home

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  1. Sometimes, it can be a bit chaotic to try to arrange plans for the whole family. If you don’t want to go out, however, there are still plenty of fun activities you can do from the comfort of your own home. Get creative by playing different games, making fun crafts, or even baking yummy recipes. Here are some examples: [1]
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Section 2 of 8:

Things to Do with Family Outdoors

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  1. These days, it seems like we’re always glued to a screen, whether it’s a phone, a computer, or a tablet. If your whole family is distracted by technology, you may not be bonding as much as you should. To get your family off their devices, childcare and parenting specialist Kathy Slattengren recommends that you “Go for family hikes, go camping, go to the park… If we want our kids off their digital devices, we’ve got to get off ours and go and engage with them.” Here are some examples of fun activities you can do in your own backyard: [2]
Section 3 of 8:

Things to Do with Family On the Town

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  1. While there are a ton of fun things to do at home, sometimes it’s good to get out of the house. Research your town and other nearby cities to see what kind of fun, family-friendly activities you can participate in. Decide on a budget beforehand so you can plan an exciting day. Here are some examples:
    • Go to the mall
    • Visit the park
    • Visit any nearby historical sites
    • Go to an amusement park
    • Go to the aquarium
    • Go to the zoo
    • Try a new restaurant
    • Go to the movies
    • See a play
    • Attend an age-appropriate concert
    • Shop at local businesses
    • Go to a farmer’s market
    • Pick out outfits for each other at the thrift store
    • Go to an art museum
    • Go to a children’s museum
    • Take a walking tour
    • Watch a parade
    • Attend a sports event
    • Go ice skating
    • Watch a magic show
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Section 4 of 8:

Free Things to Do with Family

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  1. You don’t have to break the bank to have fun with your family. In addition to doing things at home, there are probably a ton of free things you can do around your city. For example, teen life coach Desiree Panlilio says, “Go into the park and play softball or frisbee, or you can just chill out and watch the sunset. There are so many things you can do at a park if you’re on a budget.” Here are some other free, family-friendly activities to try: [3]
    EXPERT TIP

    Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed.

    Parent Educator & Coach
    Kathy Slattengren is a Parent Educator and Coach and the Founder of Priceless Parenting. With over two decades of experience, Kathy specializes in helping parents build strong, loving relationships with their children. She has helped thousands of parents around the world through Priceless Parenting's online classes, presentations, coaching, and books. Kathy holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Psychology from The University of Minnesota and a Masters degree in Education and Instructional Design from The University of Washington. Kathy is a member of the National Parenting Education Network, the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children, the International Society for Technology in Education, and a founding member of Parent Learning Link. Priceless Parenting has been featured on ABC News, Komo News, King 5 News, National PTA, Parent Map, and Inspire Me Today.
    Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed.
    Parent Educator & Coach

    Ask your children what they’d like to do. If your children are old enough, at least four or five, have a family meeting and let the kids have input about what they want to do. Then, make it happen. Planning things out is much better than having no idea what to do with your kids.


Section 5 of 8:

Family Activities for Kids

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  1. Kids are either very easy to entertain or very difficult to entertain. When thinking of fun things to do with your children, take their ages and personalities into account. Make sure the activity is age-appropriate and something they’ll enjoy. Here are some examples: [4]
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Section 6 of 8:

Family Activities for Teens

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  1. Every teenager is different, but it’s often hard for parents to get their teen excited about family activities. Get to know your child’s current interests and hobbies. Then, find a way you can enjoy them together. If you’re not sure what your teen will enjoy, Panlilio says to have a discussion with them: “It’s asking them what their interest is, what they are valuing, what’s important to them, and letting them try it without having to commit to it.” Here are some great teen-friendly ideas: [5]
Section 7 of 8:

Family Activities for Adults

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  1. Once you’re an adult, life often gets in the way and you may not see your family as often as you used to. If you have adult children (or if you’re the adult child), try to plan some fun activities with your family to bond and create new memories. Here are some examples: [6]
    • Do yoga
    • Attend a wine-tasting event
    • Watch old home movies
    • Have an at-home spa day
    • Play a drinking game (like True American from New Girl )
    • Start a book club
    • Plan a weekend getaway
    • Try a new workout class together
    • Go shopping together
    • Attend an open mic night
    • Watch a comedy show
    • Go to a reading by a local author
    • Do karaoke
    • Visit a brewery
    • Take a cooking class
    • Look through childhood photo albums
    • Go axe throwing
    • Go skydiving
    • Play trivia
    • Attend a murder mystery dinner event
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Section 8 of 8:

Fun Things to Do Away from Your Family

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  1. Even if you’re close to your family, you’ll need some personal space now and then. If you can’t get away from your family altogether, try slipping away to your room or another private area so you can destress. Do something you enjoy by yourself rather than being bored around everyone else. Panlilio says, “Boredom is a choice. You can choose to be bored, or you can choose to be proactive and find something to do that creates stimulation.” Here are some examples of fun, solo activities:

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      • If you constantly feel bored, life coach Taylor Rochestie recommends “Writing down and creating lists and goals that you might have for your life… So when you’re less motivated, you have that to rely on.”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/fun-things-to-do-at-home/
      2. ↑ https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/fun-things-to-do-at-home/
      3. ↑ https://www.parents.com/free-activities-for-kids-8627734
      4. ↑ https://www.parents.com/free-activities-for-kids-8627734
      5. ↑ https://www.parents.com/things-to-do-with-teenagers-8654108
      6. ↑ https://www.purewow.com/wellness/indoor-activities-for-adults

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