10 Fun Weekend Activities for Families with Young Kids
10 Fun Weekend Activities for Families with Young Kids
Boredom can lead to creativity and allows your child to embrace their imagination beyond screens!
Weekends are a precious opportunity for families to spend quality time together, creating memories, and bonding through fun activities but finding activities that are both enjoyable and suitable for young kids can sometimes be a challenge.
We’ve had our fair share of hearing, “I’m bored“, this year (which isn’t necessarily bad! Boredom can lead to creativity and allows your child to embrace their imagination beyond screens.)
But for those moments when imagination and creativity don’t seem to be working, we’re sharing 10 ways to entertain your little ones and try a few ideas for family fun.
Try these 10 fun and engaging activities and start making your weekends unforgettable!
1. Nature Walks & Scavenger Hunts
Exploring the great outdoors can be a wonderful way for families to connect with nature and each other. As a mindful mama, this is one of my favorite activities. It gives us a reason to slow down and take in the beauty and everything that creates the world around us.
To make your walks even more engaging, try pointing out the colors you see along the way or create a mini scavenger hunt! Just create a list of items for your kiddos to find, such as a red leaf, a feather, a smooth rock, or even specific types of plants and insects.
😊 Print out our free scavenger hunt here!
Benefits:
Nature walks and scavenger hunts encourage observation and curiosity.
Nature walks help children develop a deeper appreciation for their environment.
Nature walks provide great physical exercise, fresh air, and an opportunity for kids to burn off energy. 😉
Quick Tips:
Bring a small bag for collected treasures and a magnifying glass for closer inspections.
Create a nature journal to draw or describe the items you find!
Bring water and snacks to keep everyone hydrated and energized.
2. DIY Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are a fantastic way to unleash your child’s creativity while spending quality time together. Crafts have kept me entertained since I was eight months pregnant with my oldest daughter and I’ve stuck with them ever since!
From building craft kits to just using whatever is lying around the house, fun, simple art projects keep young kids entertained, focused, and quiet long enough for you to catch your breath and reenergize.
Set up a craft station at home with paper, glue, markers, and other art supplies. Projects like making paper plate animals, decorating picture frames, or creating handprint art are great first projects. Also, try incorporating seasonal themes — making holiday decorations, colorful fall-inspired art projects, or creating summer-themed crafts.
Here’s what’s in our craft box. Use our list to build your own!
Watch our video to see everything in our craft box! You can find links to everything here too.
Benefits:
Arts and crafts enhance creativity, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
Arts and crafts provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem as children see their projects come to life.
Quick Tips:
Cover your workspace with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth for easy cleanup.
Encourage your children to use their imagination and explore different materials and techniques.
Display their artwork around the house to show appreciation for their efforts.
Consider using recycled materials for eco-friendly crafting projects.
3. Visit a Local Museum or Zoo
Spending a day exploring a local museum or zoo can be both fun and educational. Many museums have interactive exhibits specifically designed for young children, while zoos offer a chance to learn about animals and their habitats. These outings provide a rich sensory experience and a break from the usual routine.
Benefits:
Museums and zoos offer educational and interactive experiences that stimulate curiosity and learning.
They provide opportunities for children to ask questions, make observations, and engage with new concepts and environments.
Quick Tips:
Check the museum or zoo’s schedule for special events or shows that might interest your kids (especially around the holidays!).
Plan your visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds and ensure a more relaxed experience.
Bring a camera to capture memorable moments and discuss what you saw and learned afterward to reinforce the experience.
4. Family Cooking and Baking
Cooking and baking together can be a delightful experience that teaches practical skills and creates lasting memories. Choose simple recipes that your kids can help with, such as making pizza, decorating cupcakes, or preparing a fruit salad. Allowing children to participate in the kitchen fosters a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.
Benefits:
Cooking and baking activities foster bonding and practical skills such as measuring, following instructions, and basic kitchen safety.
They also promote healthy eating habits and an appreciation for homemade food.
I’ve learned that when my daughters help with cooking they’re more likely to eat all of their food — even veggies!
Here are a few of our favorite cookbooks!
Disney Princess Tiana’s Cookbook (for adults)
The Princess and the Frog: Tiana's Cookbook (for kids)
We even bought our oldest her own mini stove so she can really cook her own meals sometimes!
Here’s the set we bought — we love it!
Quick Tips:
Set up a kid-friendly workspace with all the necessary ingredients and tools within reach.
Choose age-appropriate recipes and allow for creativity, such as decorating cookies or making personalized pizzas.
Encourage children to taste and discuss the ingredients and flavors, turning the activity into a sensory exploration.
5. Indoor Camping
An oldie but goodie! Remember building forts with chairs, blankets, and brooms? Dust off your imagination and transform your living room into an indoor campsite. Set up a tent or create a fort using blankets and pillows. Enjoy activities like storytelling, playing board games, and making s’mores in the microwave. Indoor camping provides a cozy and imaginative experience that can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.
Benefits:
Indoor camping encourages imaginative play, creativity, and family bonding.
It offers a fun and adventurous atmosphere while staying indoors, making it a perfect activity for rainy days or cold weather.
Quick Tips:
Dim the lights and use flashlights to create an authentic camping atmosphere.
Prepare a picnic-style meal with easy-to-eat snacks and treats.
Share stories, sing campfire songs, and play games that fit the camping theme.
6. Storytime and Puppet Shows
Reading together is always a joy, but you can take it a step further by putting on a puppet show. Use stuffed animals, create simple puppets from socks and give them voices and personalities, or even use shadow figures with flashlights (this one is our favorite!). This activity promotes language development, creativity, and family interaction.
Benefits:
Storytime and puppet shows enhance language skills, vocabulary, and creativity.
Provides a platform for children to express themselves, develop storytelling abilities, and build confidence.
Quick Tips:
Choose books with characters that can easily be translated into puppets for the show.
Encourage your children to participate by creating their own puppet characters and storylines.
Use different voices and sound effects to make the show more engaging.
Record the puppet show to create a lasting memory that you can revisit in the future.
7. Outdoor Games and Sports
Get active with outdoor games and sports. Classic games like tag, hide and seek, or hopscotch never go out of style. You can also set up a mini soccer game, play catch, or create an obstacle course in your backyard. These activities provide a healthy dose of exercise and fun. Recently, we bought this parachute and mini lawn bowling set from Target and our mini-humans had the BEST time!
Benefits:
Outdoor games and sports promote physical activity, teamwork, and social skills.
They help children develop coordination, strength, and endurance while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.
Quick Tips:
Keep it simple and adaptable to your child’s age and interests.
Use household items like cones, hula hoops, or ropes to create an obstacle course.
Encourage friendly competition and teamwork by playing games that involve working together.
Always ensure that the play area is safe and free from hazards.
8. Gardening and Planting
Introduce your kids to gardening by planting flowers or vegetables together. This hands-on activity teaches responsibility, patience, and an appreciation for nature. Choose easy-to-grow plants like sunflowers, cherry tomatoes, or herbs that kids can take care of and watch grow. This one we’re going to do later this summer — we’ll keep you updated on how it goes!
Here’s what’s in my cart right now!
Benefits:
Gardening connects children with nature, teaches responsibility, and provides a sense of accomplishment.
It also offers a sensory-rich experience as kids touch, smell, and see the growth process.
Quick Tips:
Provide child-sized gardening tools and a designated area for their plants.
Explain the basics of plant care, such as watering, sunlight, and soil.
Encourage children to keep a gardening journal to track the growth of their plants and make observations.
Celebrate the harvest by using the produce in a family meal or creating a flower arrangement.
Click the photo to download our Gardening with Kids Guide!
9. Music and Dance Parties
A family favorite! Sometimes we have a ton of energy and no way to burn it off. Other times we’re bored out of our minds and not sure what to do and this is when we turn up the music and have a family dance party!
Dancing is a great way to express joy and burn off energy. Create a playlist of your family’s favorite songs and let loose. You can also introduce simple musical instruments like tambourines, maracas, or drums to add to the fun. Our kiddos are incredibly creative and love to play the piano, write songs, and come up with their own beats!
Benefits:
Music and dance parties encourage physical activity, rhythm development, and self-expression.
They also provide a fun and uplifting atmosphere that can boost everyone’s mood.
Quick Tips:
Include dance games like freeze dance or musical chairs to keep it exciting.
Encourage children to create their own dance moves and routines.
Use props like scarves or ribbons to add a visual element to the dance party.
Record the dance party to create a fun video that you can watch together later.
10. Exploring Local Parks and Playgrounds
Take advantage of the local parks and playgrounds in your area. Exploring different parks offers variety and new experiences for your kids. Pack a picnic, bring a frisbee, or simply enjoy the playground equipment. Visiting new parks can be a mini-adventure for the whole family.
Benefits:
Visiting local parks and playgrounds offers exploration, socialization, and physical play.
It provides an opportunity for children to interact with peers, develop social skills, and enjoy outdoor activities.
Quick Tips:
Research parks with unique features, such as splash pads, nature trails, or special playground equipment, to keep things interesting.
Plan your visit during times when the park is less crowded for a more relaxed experience.
Bring along outdoor toys like balls, kites, or bubbles to enhance the fun.
Use the park visit as a chance to teach your children about nature, safety, and respect for the environment.
Weekends are the perfect time to create lasting memories with your family. These ten activities offer a mix of adventure, creativity, and relaxation that will keep both kids and parents entertained. So, pick an activity, gather your family, and make the most of your weekend together!
We’d love to hear about your favorite family activities or any new ideas you have! Share them in the comments below and let’s inspire each other to make every weekend a fun family adventure.
Free Resources: For ideas and detailed guides on these activities, check out the links below:
Creating a treasure trove of family fun can be as simple as trying out new activities and discovering what brings the most joy to your household. Happy weekend adventures!
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