30 Fun Family Activities That You Can Do This Weekend

What fun family activities do you like to do? Going to the beach or spending a week in the country? Maybe your family likes camping or visiting relatives.

Whatever you enjoy, family activities are a chance for everyone in the family to get reacquainted and spend quality time together.

It’s a chance for you to really talk with your teens and find out what’s going on in their lives. It’s important to keep the communication lines open, and a family activity is a good time to do that.

Rather than simply leaving your child some paper and crayons, try to get involved and color with them. Your child will learn to cherish the time spend with you.

Having a good family relationship is one of the most important factors in keeping a strong parent-child bond. Children need special time with their parents to feel emotionally secure.

Families who play together, stay together.

But finding the time to really bond with children can be difficult. Even though my husband and I are busy with work, we always take the time to spend with our four kids. Every week we make family time and use different family activities to bond.

This weekend you can spend some quality time with your family. It is just a matter of finding the right activity.

These are more family activities that allow you to bond with your kids.

FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES AT HOME

1. Family Game Night

If your kids love games, then family game night should be something you can try. It is a great tradition to start and children love any opportunity to beat their siblings at games.

Plan one night out of the week (or more) to play a game with your kids.

Pick an age-appropriate game so the little ones don’t get bored too easily. It can be as long or short as your family chooses. And if you break out delicious snacks, your kids will want to stay even longer.

2. Movie Night

Movie night can be any genre that your family loves to watch together. If your family have kids of different ages, stick with safe movies that your whole family can enjoy.

You can stay home or head to your favorite movie theatre. If you choose to keep it at home, make it fun with popcorn, candy or any other sweet snack.

If you do decide to head to the movies, find a film that the crew can agree on. On a lazy Saturday afternoon (clear or rainy weather), head on out and have a laugh, a cry or a scream with those you love.

3. Photo Collage

Take pictures throughout the summer, save ticket stubs and other mementos and turn them into a family scrapbook that records everything you’ve done this summer.

Once a week, or whenever you get back from a fun event take a minute to make a few notes about what you want to add to your book about it.

Get everyone in the family activities. Have them share pictures, drawings, mementos, and their favorite memories about each summer trip and family activity. Print pictures and create the scrapbook pages together. Even if you’re not much of a scrapbooker, you’ll enjoy putting this memory book together.

As time goes by, your summer scrapbook will become a family treasure you’ll go back to again and again to relive those summer days.

Just like an album, the box will be something you’ll fondly open from time to time to remember this special summer. Create one every year and make sure you label each box well. It also helps to have a few notes about what you did during these family activities.

4. Family Memory Box

If the idea of a scrapbook doesn’t appeal to you and your loved ones, consider making a memory box instead. It’s similar to the summer vacation scrapbook, but instead of collecting images, stories, and ticket stubs in an album, everything goes into a box. Old shoe boxes work very well for this.

You can decorate the outside with drawings, pictures, or paper that reminds you of summer.

Then stick various different things in your box. The big advantage of a box is that it can hold three-dimensional items that won’t fit into a scrapbook. You can add a special rock or seashell your kids picked up for example.

5. Family Cookout

A family cook night will entertain your kids without a computer or television screen. It will fill your kids with memories they won’t soon forget. Not only that, but you’ll be teaching them a valuable skill.

While it is important to focus on backyard activities, such as games, you may also want to think about what your children will eat.

Teenagers are at the age where they like to make their own decisions. When organizing backyard family activities, you may also want to get them involved. They can find recipes that they want to try and you can guide them and have fun.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES AT LOCAL PARK

6. Hiking Or Biking

Hiking and biking are both great ways to get the entire family out there, doing something together. I encourage you to give it a try. Start slow and small and see how things are going. As your fitness levels improve and everyone gets more comfortable hiking and biking, you can start to tackle longer or more difficult trips.

Safety First! It’s an important motto to live by as you go out exploring. Make sure your kid’s equipment is in good shape. Dress appropriately and wear shoes with good grip and ankle support for your hikes. When biking, helmets are a must.

7. Roller skating

Roller-skating is especially good for your heart and is considered one of the best cardio workouts. Break out the roller skates or rollerblades and hit the pavement for a breath of fresh air.

This is a great exercise that will get all the muscle groups working.

If you want to surprise your family, spontaneously choose a day to go roller skating. Find a bike path or just skate around the neighborhood and enjoy the scenery. The kids will love it and it’s a great way to be silly and get some laughs out of everyone.

8. Bird Watching

Watching and identifying birds is fascinating for children and adults. You should pack a few key items and head out to discover the feathered wildlife in your area.

Don’t forget to bring binoculars. These are invaluable for identifying and watching birds. A few good book on birds will help.

If this is a family event, bring at least two pairs of binoculars along so everyone gets a chance to see. There is nothing worse then kids fighting over one pair of binoculars and frustrated parents.

LOCAL FAMILY EVENTS

9. Local Calendar Events

Take a look at your local calendars of events. You’ll be surprised how much communities do during the summer months. And some of them may be for free.

There are often classes, concerts, movie showings, and even festivals you may not be aware of.

Between events your city or county may put events hosted by cultural centers, museums, and churches. For example, the town of Babylon puts on a free Easter Egg Hunt every year in April that is open to the local community.
You’ll be sure to find a few things that your family may want to attend this summer.

10. A Day At The Zoo

Going to the zoo is often an unforgettable experience for children. They can see animals “in real life” that they may have only seen in pictures or on TV. Some children have a particular animal they really like, and a zoo trip can bring that alive.

Other variations on the zoo theme are wildlife refuges and petting zoos. Some wildlife refuges have picnic tables and other accommodations, and you can see the animals that inhabit your local area.

Petting zoos are also a fun and interactive way for kids to touch and interact with animals they might otherwise never get close to.

11. Aquarium

A day at an aquarium is fun for everyone. Who doesn’t love spending time with a whale or dolphin?

And it’s educational also. Kids can see ocean life from all over the world collected in one place and learn fun facts.

Another great thing about aquariums is that all ages can enjoy them – even toddlers and babies enjoy the beautiful, unusual sights, sounds, and colors. They are fascinated about these strange new creatures that float in water.

12. Museum Tour

Touring a museum that caters to your interests is a great way to bond. You can go in the morning and discuss it over lunch, then go back to the same museum or to another one.

Art, history, and science are just some of the fascinating things you and your family can explore on your day out.

When you think of museums, does it conjure up images of a stuffy collection of untouchable displays? Think again – museums in this day and age are often kid-friendly, with interactive exhibits and other features. Some museums have programs and activities that are designed especially for children.

13. Historical Tour

How much do you know about the local history in your area?

Make it a point to read up on it this summer and explore local historic places and museums. It’s fun for adults, but also a great educational experience for the kids. Encourage them to read up, explore, and maybe even create a project around your town’s history.

Many cities and areas with a rich history offer various different tours that you may not be aware of. It’s worth contacting your local tourist office to find out what you’ve been missing.

14. Native American Celebration

If you are looking for an insightful, educational, and often beautiful day trip, historic sites and/or events may be just your thing. Nearly every area has some sort of historic site that you can visit, whether it’s a plaque about the town’s founder or a Civil War battlefield. Here are some ideas for historic day trips.

Native American celebrations, or powwows, are a fun and colorful way to experience a bit of history.

Participants usually wear native clothing and perform traditional dances. Often, visitors to the powwow can participate in the dancing and other events. Food and souvenirs are typically available as well. This is a day trip that works great with or without kids.

15. War Memorial

If you live near a war memorial, visiting it can be a profound experience. If you have to drive a few hours to get to one, it will be worth it.

Just plan your meals and make it a whole-day trip.

If you live close by, you can still make it a day by doing some sightseeing as well. There is often a park or place to walk near such memorials.

16. Explore A New Culture

Just because you’re staying home this summer doesn’t mean you can’t dive into a new culture.

It’s one of the biggest benefits of traveling abroad, but with a little effort and imagination you can experience some of it right at home.

A fun way to educate your kids is to try a new culture. Taste the food, listen to the music, and watch the movies. Maybe even learn a little of the language and do it all as a family so you can interact and explore together.

And you can save some money along the way.

By simply putting as much planning and effort into a staycation as you would any regular family vacation, you can have an amazing experience this summer that will cost a fraction of a regular trip.

FAMILY ADVENTURE DAY TRIPS

17. White Water Rafting

Suit up and enjoy a fun day on the rapids. Although it may be geared towards summer, this is a good family activity in the right location.

If you are close to rivers or streams, this is a day trip the whole family can enjoy. You probably can rent any equipment that your family might need.

Once again, a trained guide is essential for everyone’s enjoyment and safety. Choose a trip that fits your level of experience – most companies offer “classes” of rafting rides, from beginner to advanced.

18. Bungee Jumping

Ziplining has grown to be a fun and exciting activity for many families. Whether it’s from a bridge or other approved surface, ziplining is an unforgettable adventure.

Although bungee jumping may seem scary, it is safer than it appears. But you should always stop to do a safety check to avoid any accidents.

Make sure that the place you choose is reputable, with trained instructors and a good safety record. Make sure it’s a legitimate, legal operation. Sources say it’s a good idea to book your bungee jump in advance and expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100.

19. Cave Tours

Are you looking for a unique outing? Consider exploring a cave. Families, individuals, couples, and large groups can all partake of this fascinating day trip.

Early man dwelt in caves, and evidence of his presence can be found on the walls of many caves. Even if you don’t have actual artifacts or cave art present, you can still imagine what it was like for your earliest ancestors. And some caves have entire lakes in them.

For children, this can help bring historical facts alive. Learning and discovering how the wildlife in caves partner together to survive makes the caving experience that much more interesting.

20. Water Parks

Once your kids learn to swim, a water park is a grand idea. Especially If it is hot outside, and your kids are begging for something to do

If someone in your family is not a swimmer, look for a water park that has a playground, wading pool, or similar alternatives to swimming. Most parks have different areas for different levels of swimmers.

From water slides to wave pools, a water park is a fun outing for children. It is a great way to cool down and stay active.

21. Camping

Hiking and camping can be day trips, and very successful and fun ones, too. Hiking and camping can be done solo, with friends, or with family. Kids often enjoy the whole concept of camping.

It might be just the thing to get away for a day and escape into the realm of nature.

If your family is just going to be gone for the day, then your packing list won’t be the same as it would be if you were spending the night in the wilderness.

22. Horseback Riding

This is a fun outing for kids and adults. A professional stable will be able to accommodate most age and experience levels. You just need to seek out a local one to accommodate your family activities.

If your kids are nervous around horses, then take it slow. Let them know that they can stop at any time.

Horses are gentle creatures and well-trained ones are great with kids. Very young kids can enjoy a slow walk with an adult leading the horse, and older kids might like a trail ride. It makes for a memorable day trip.

23. Ziplining

If you enjoy a rush of adrenaline and you want to try something new, consider zip-lining. It is an expanse of cable that is stretched between two points. Using a pulley system, a person can safely suspend themselves from the cable.

They’re incredibly safe. Ziplines are built with half-inch wide galvanized cable and have a strength of more than 22,000 pounds.

Generally, one point of the cable is suspended higher than the other. You then simply let gravity pull you from the high point to the low point. The higher one end is from the other, the faster the ride.

It’s a fun way to explore new areas and can be surprisingly challenging.

24. Rock Climbing

For first-timers, an indoor rock climbing facility may be the best place to start. If you’re experienced, then go for it – plan a day trip rock climbing!

Either way, it’s important to have a good instructor and make sure you have the proper technique and gear. For newcomers to the sport, consider spending your day trip taking a beginning rock climbing class.

25. Kayaking

If you go kayaking as a family activity, there are some things you might want to consider. Children and toddlers should be equipped with life jackets that fit them. Adults should wear life jackets that fit too, of course, but it’s sometimes harder to find child-sized life jackets and you may be tempted to “make do” with a far-too-big life jacket that isn’t safe.

Children should know how to swim before kayaking. They will certainly be safer if they fall out, and they may be less afraid of the water than if they weren’t familiar with it.

Try to tame your adventurous spirit a bit if you have children with you. For the whole family to participate safely, it’s a good idea to stick with family activities that include calm waters and clear weather.

WATER ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

When it’s hot outside, there’s nothing better than dipping into a cool pool or going for a swim in the ocean. Take a look at family activities in your area.

Go explore local lakes, rivers, and creeks that you can swim or wade in. If you’re living close enough to the beach, take a day trip to go swimming.

26. Local Pools

If your family is looking for a way to cool off, then try a local pool. Many cities have public pools that are surprisingly fun and underused. For public safety, these pools are usually maintained very well and have lifeguards onboard.

Of course, neighborhood pools are another fun option. If you don’t have one yourself, meet up with a friend who’s lucky enough to live in a neighborhood with a pool.

And don’t forget about having fun with water at home. Get a kiddie pool, water toys, or turn on the sprinklers and cool off.

27. Water Limbo

Water limbo is a variation of the traditional game of limbo. It involves contestants attempting to go under a horizontal bar (usually suspended on top of 2 vertical bars). Instead of a horizontal bar, water limbo uses a stream of water from a hose.

Kids then line up on one side and go under the stream of water with the aim of making it to the other side without getting wet. Any wet player is eliminated from the game and the remaining contestants line up again for another round of going under the stream of water.

To make the game interesting, the stream of water is set at a high point during the first round. After which it goes lower and lower with each passing round. The last dry player wins the game.

28. Water Tug

Family activities can provide kids with hours of fun on a nice summer afternoon. The concept of play remains the same but the game can be played with different tools.

A player dubbed ‘it’ runs after other players trying to turn them into the new thrower by tagging them with water. A tag can be made with a cold squirt of water from a water gun, a splash from a water balloon or a wet smack from a sponge dipped in water.

29. Water Balloon Spoon Race

Similar to the game of egg race, a game of water-balloon spoon race involves contestants racing while holding a spoon that has a small filled water balloon on top of it. The first player to make it to the finish line with the water balloon still in place wins.

The race can be made more fun and challenging by setting up a number of sprinklers at different places between the start and finish line. Kids should then try to race to the finish line without dropping their water balloon or getting wet as an adult turns the sprinklers on and off at random.

30. Beach Ball Balance Race

During an extremely hot summer day, the beach ball balance race game can help keep everyone cool while having fun. All that is required is a few beach balls and a large pool.

As other people cheer on from the sidelines, a few players stationed at one end of the pool try to balance their bodies on top of a beach ball by hugging the ball.

On the count of three, the players are to race to the other end of the pool and back while maintaining the starting position. First player to make it back to the starting point without unlocking their arms or losing balance takes the win.

More Tips For Fun Family Activities

So, there you go; fun activities that will allow you to make a splash during hot summer days.

The goal is to simply have fun while spending time with your family. And these are tips to get your kids to have fun with family time.

Let your kids help make plans – Children will always be far more facilitating for family time if they feel involved in the planning and organization of any upcoming events.
Put away electronics – This is an excellent time to put away all distractions, including phones, toys, televisions, and any other interruptions. If your children associate mealtime as a time for family interactions, then it will be something they look forward to.
Keep it simple – Remember, quality time with your kids doesn’t have to mean going out or doing exciting things. Quality time can be as simple as snuggling up on the couch or having fun with the washing up. If you remember this, the opportunities for a quality time become far more apparent.

Whether it is during the hot days of summer or the cool days of winter, your family deserves to spend time together and create happy memories.