“Mom, I have nothing to do.”
“Dad, I’m bored!”
“Put away your cell phone.”
Does this sound like your house on a long weekend afternoon? This situation is all too common in families with young kids. Yet keeping them entertained without technology isn’t difficult; it requires minimal effort and expense, with tangible, highly rewarding results.
The following fun activities are broken down by category, with fun suggestions for inside and outside your home. Let’s start with arts and crafts.
DIY Crafts and Art Projects
Crafting is a wonderful way to let kids express themselves and experiment with different materials. Here are some simple craft ideas that use everyday household items, plus tips on creating a kid-friendly art corner at home.
- Paper plate animals: Kids can make their favorite animals with a few paper plates, bits of yarn, markers, and glue. Cut out and color pieces for ears, eyes, and noses, then attach them to the plate to create lions, owls, or whatever else their hearts desire.
- Flower crafts and art activities: Make bright flowers from colored paper, buttons, wire, and other materials. Lay down cardboard or paper, provide glue, and kids can create masterpieces.
- Recycled art: Use empty cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, and other recyclables to build fun structures. Kids can create anything from castles to cars, adding personal touches with markers, glitter, or paint.
Tips for a Creative Corner
Setting up a small area dedicated to crafts gives kids a space where they’re free to explore and create. Place a simple table in a corner of the room stocked with coloring books, crayons, markers, glue, scissors, and paper. A box for scraps (fabric, buttons, ribbons) will also inspire imaginative art projects.
Kid-Friendly Cooking and Baking Adventures
Cooking with kids is fun and educational. They can measure ingredients, learn how to work the oven (under supervision), and decorate treats. Here are some kid-friendly recipes and ideas for culinary fun.
Simple Recipes to Try
- Decorated sugar cookies: Baking a batch of cookies and setting out icing and sprinkles allows kids to make creative, tasty designs.
- Mini pizzas: Let kids make personal pizzas with premade dough or English muffins as a base. Provide small bowls of cheese, pepperoni, and veggies, and let them go at it.
- Fruit kebabs: For a healthy snack, cut up pieces of fruit and let kids assemble fruit kebabs. They can create different color patterns or even make fruit snakes or trains.
Hosting a Mini-Brunch Event
For a special weekend activity, host a brunch playdate. Kids can help set up with tablecloths, napkins, and decorations. You might prepare pancakes or eggs together, make fruit kebabs, and set out cut-up veggies. Use paper plates, play relaxing music, and complete a craft project. If time permits, play an indoor or outdoor game or two!
Backyard or Indoor Adventure Games
Outdoor activities bring energy and excitement to the day, and there are plenty of ways to adapt these ideas for indoor play as well. Here are some fun activities for backyards and family rooms.
Backyard Adventure Ideas
- Treasure hunt: Write clues that lead kids on a treasure hunt through the backyard. Hide small toys or treats as treasures at each clue location to motivate them to solve each step.
- Obstacle course: Set up a backyard obstacle course with household items like buckets, jump ropes, and sticks. Kids can jump over, crawl under, or dodge obstacles to make their way to the finish line.
- Mini-golf. Create a DIY mini-golf course by placing plastic cups or buckets on their sides as holes. Use balls and kid-friendly clubs (or improvise with other safe items) to let them enjoy their private mini-golf experience.
Indoor Adventure Ideas
- Cozy movie night: Transform the living room into a movie theater by setting up blankets and pillows on the floor. Choose a family favorite, serve popcorn, and share a few smiles.
- Indoor camping: Create a homemade tent with blankets and set up “camp” in the family room. Share stories, use flashlights, and toast marshmallows over the stove. Hot chocolate goes especially well with indoor camping!
Planning for Playdate Fun at Home
Bringing friends into the fun — whether in person or virtually — gives kids a chance to socialize and play. Here are some low-prep ideas for hosting small playdates or virtual hangouts.
Fun Playdate Ideas
- Craft party: Host a simple craft session where kids make items like friendship bracelets or paint small canvases. Set up a table with materials and let kids get creative together. You could also try a painting activity where each child decorates a small stone they can take home as a memento.
- Scavenger hunt: Write a list of everyday household items and challenge kids to find them within a set time. This activity is more fun when you set a theme for the items, like a color or words with five letters.
- Simple games: Games like charades or “Simon Says” work well for virtual and in-person playdates. A friendly competition with these classics can keep kids laughing and entertained.
Playdate Guidelines for Caregivers
Creating a fun, engaging atmosphere at home and playing with kids is a rewarding way to make lasting memories with kids, whether you’re a parent, nanny, teacher, or daycare worker.
Take time to stretch before active play sessions, and exercise regularly. Never forget to wash your hands frequently. Also, dress accordingly in comfortable clothes, and don’t wear dangling jewelry. If you wear an engagement or wedding ring, consider swapping it with a Tungsten engagement or wedding ring; they’re budget-friendly, durable, and scratch-resistant.
Final Thoughts
“That was fun. When can we do it again?”
These activities offer opportunities to bond with children and spark their imaginations. And with careful prep work and an eye on self-care, we think your kids will be delighted — and even thrilled — with what you come up with for them.
