Tuesday, January 8, 2013

25 Family Time Activities- At Home


25 Family Time Activities for when you really just want to stay in!

One of our goals for this year is to spend more quality time together as a family. We are setting aside time each week to be intentionally and purposefully together.  And maybe your family is planning to do the same. But what will we do during all of this family time? Don't get in a rut just because it's part of the routine. Here are 25 family time ideas to keep things interesting! Fun is never far with these ideas.

25 Family Time Ideas:


Here are 25 family time ideas to keep things interesting at home! Fun is never far with these ideas.

1. Cook dinner as a family. Work together on one dish, or split up the dinner (and dessert) and work side by side to create a yummy meal you can all be proud of. 

2. Go camping. In your living room! Push aside all of the furniture and set up the tent right there in the living room. Or grab your sleeping bags and sleep under the stars- the glow in the dark kind!

3. Game night! A classic and a staple of any family night routine. Play a tried and true favorite, let each person pick one game for the family to play, or even have a marathon!

4. Learn something new. A new skill. A new card game. A new recipe. Read together on a subject that interests you all or watch a documentary. So many possibilities.

5. Movie night! Make it special. Lay on some blankets and pillows in the floor, or cuddle up on the couch. Don't forget the popcorn and treats!

6. Have a read-a-thon. Take turns reading from your favorite family friendly books. Younger children could look at the pictures and recite the story from their favorite picture books, or just enjoy being read their favorites. 

7. Set up an obstacle course. Let each family member plan a part of the obstacle course. Jump from couch cushion to couch cushion. Crawl under the table. Or take it to the backyard! Then take turns running through it. Who has the fastest time? Hand out silly, hand-made medals to every participant or compete for a grand prize!

8. Family art night. Work together on one masterpiece or see what each person comes up with separately using the same medium. You could even set up a family art gallery.

9. Take a trip down memory lane. Look at photo albums and watch old family movies. Reminisce together about the years past. 

10. Video game night. This will be a favorite of my son's and husband's. Indulge in some screen time and play some favorite games. You can also rent new games for many consoles from Redbox now.

11. Build a fort. Gather all of your cushions, pillows and sheets for a fun fort indoors. Or get creative outside. Don't forget the flashlights!

12. Photo booth night. Use a sheet for a back drop and set out lots of props! Take hilarious pictures.

13. Fun with puzzles. Tackle a huge jigsaw puzzle together as a family. Or teach younger children the art of putting together puzzles with one containing less pieces.

14. Write a story. Choose characters and discuss the plot. Take turns telling parts of the story and write it down! You could even illustrate! Or save that for another night. ;) Need help getting started? Here are 10 tips for storytelling.

15. Go on a scavenger hunt. Great fun for indoors or out!

16. Have a family slumber party. Everyone wears their pjs, eats way too much junk food, and stays up a bit too late having fun. Sleep in the next day!

17. Act out your favorite story. Rehearse and perform!

18. Music night! Dance or sing along to some fun music. Or form a band and make your own music with homemade instruments.

19. Ice cream sundae night. Put out lots of ingredients for amazing ice cream sundaes. Build your own and share your creations.

20. Plant a garden. Whether it's food or flowers, there's a lot of fun and satisfaction to be had working in the garden.

21. Candlelight night. Do everything by candlelight! Not just dinner.

22. Stargaze. Make wishes. Look for the constellations or make up your own. What do you see? And don't forget to go out and watch some of the many meteor showers we have each year!

23. Celebrate the small stuff. Use any excuse for a party! Celebrate the successes and events of everyone in the family, no matter how "small".

24. Play outside. Get outside and have fun in your own yard as a family. Play Frisbee, fly a kite, or play some classic childhood games like "red light, green light." Toys are not required! Or play in the dark!

25. Play hide and seek. This is such a huge hit among kids, but the adults can have a lot of fun too!

What family time activities does your family enjoy? What would you add to the list?

Next week I'll be sharing a list of family time ideas that will take you out of the house, so be sure to check back! You can subscribe for free or follow me on Facebook to follow the fun. 

6 comments:

  1. Such fun ideas! Enough for half a year of fun! And by the time you go through the list you can start all over again and it will still be fun! Great post!!! :)

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  2. Love this list. It is a perfect reminder of how simple and easy it is to have quality family time.

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  3. i love the family art night and the photo booth ideas!

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  4. Oh, very nice list! Love these quick ideas - my daughter has been asking for a candlelight dinner so we'll have to do that this wknd! sharing this!

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