Ready to make some memories with your kids? Check out this list of fun activities for kids that parents will also enjoy!
Looking for some activities that the whole family can do together? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re a parent or a kid, spending quality fun time together is super important, and I’ve found some fantastic ideas to make it extra special and enjoyable for everyone.
Why is it important to join in on activities with your child?
Spending quality time together not only brings you closer and makes cherished memories, but it also sets a good example for your kids. When they see you enjoying activities with them, it inspires them to join in and strengthens family bonds.
Plus, doing things together helps improve communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, which are important for a happy family.
Fun activities for kids that won’t make parents cringe
Now, let’s be honest—not all fun activities for kids are fun for adults as well. If you want to reap all of those good benefits, you need to actually be having fun… not just pretending to enjoy watching Elsa belt out “Let it go” for the 50th time or sliding down that chute knowing that the game may now be longer!
So, what are some activities that are perfect for everyone, no matter their age? That was the question I asked myself as I came up with this list of fun activities for kids.
I’ve included outdoor games and nature fun along with indoor crafts and activities. I admit that not all of these activities will be perfect for all parents or families, but there are plenty of ideas to choose from!
What are you waiting for? Scroll down and start making happy memories with your kids…
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shescraftyandsheknowsit.com
Make Alphabet Crayons
Use up your old crayons to make fun new ones! Kids can decide on colors, add glitter, and even give them as gifts!
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2
www.artcampla.com
Make & Play with Castle Building Blocks
With a few supplies you probably already have in your house, you and your kids can make some building blocks that can be used to create a castle!
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3
DIY Bean Bag Toss
I created a DIY bean bag toss game using clay saucers and a printable. This bean bag game is easy to assemble and you’ll have a blast!
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4
Paint Rocks Together
Get a ton of inspiration for painting rocks! There are a variety of projects here you'll love, great for the whole family.
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5
Steve Carrell
Easy Weaving for Kids on a Cardboard Loom
Weaving is not only calming, but the results are so pretty! Use bold colors of yarn to make fun and functional wall art that everyone will love.
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6
www.u-createcrafts.com
Make & Play a Mini Foosball Table
If you don't have a foosball table, but you want one, you can make one with an old shoebox! Kids of all ages will have fun with this idea.
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7
Make Paper Beads
Learn how to make paper beads with scraps of paper and Mod Podge! This is SO easy – even for kids – and you can use for bracelets and necklaces. Paper jewelry making is really fun!
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8
diycandy.com
Make & Play with Sidewalk Paint
This three-ingredient sidewalk chalk paint is a blast for kids! Learn how to make it – you probably have everything on hand. This paint is a great way to teach kids to use a paintbrush without worrying about mess.
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9
diycandy.com
Make Tie Dye T-Shirt Headbands
These DIY tie dye headbands are easy to make from t-shirts and look great! Both kids and adults will love this fashion craft. Make a DIY headband for spring or summer using one of these three methods!
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10
diycandy.com
Make Perler Bead Patterns (Get Over 1750+!)
Everyone loves perler beads! There are hundreds of patterns waiting for you and your child to make in a variety of colors and themes.
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11
Clay Pot Lighthouse
Learn how to make a lighthouse out of terra cotta pots – and use it as a bird feeder.
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12
www.thebestideasforkids.com
Ask 100 “Would You Rather…” Questions
Download the list of 100 Would you rather questions for a fun discussion as a family! This would also be a good dinner discussion idea. Ask one question each night and talk about it while you eat.
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13
Decorate a Birdhouse Craft
This birdhouse is a perfect family project that's not only simple and fun but also a great way to introduce children to the joys of crafting and nature.
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14
Make an Insect Identification Chart
This insect identification chart is such an easy craft. It allows your children (and you!) to learn about the bugs in your environment!
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15
babbledabbledo.com
Make a Kite Out of Recycled Mailers
Learn how to make a kite out of Tyvek or a plastic bag! These are perfect for running around the yard with on a windy day.
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16
gluesticksblog.com
Make Eggshell Seed Planters
Eggshell seed planters are perfect for kids! Plant a sampling of seeds inside of eggshells and when the weather warms up plant the entire thing into your garden. This is a fun lesson on composting and reusing everyday products for a new purpose.
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17
Make Paper Mache Bowls
Help children develop their artistic skills with this creative paper mache project everyone will love!
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18
theimaginationtree.com
Toddler Make & Play Pom Pom Drop and Shoot
Make a fabulously fun DIY toddler toy for developing fine motor skills, coordination, concentration, counting, and plenty of playful activity together!
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19
roommomrescue.com
Ask 400+ “This or That” Questions
Similar to the Would You Rather questions from earlier, these This or That questions will get you talking as a family. These questions are shorter so it can be a rapid fire question session, or you can explain why you picked your answer.
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20
taminglittlemonsters.com
Do a Magic Milk Science Experiment
Kids will love investigating how soap can change milk with this at home science experiment!
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21
www.repeatcrafterme.com
Knit & Play with a Snake
With a cardboard roll, tape, and popsicle sticks you can set up a simple loom. You'll use your creation to create a knitted "snake," or tube. Make it as long or short as you’d like.
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22
www.instructables.com
Make Playing Cards
This popsicle stick craft is definitely for the older kids and adults! I love wood burning, and there's a PDF provided making the craft very easy to do.
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23
DIY Hair Pins
Learn how to make hair pins with the message of your choice! This is a fun fashion craft for kids or adults.
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24
www.firefliesandmudpies.com
Make & Paint with Colorful Squirt Gun Paint
Get your littles painting AND get them outside at the same time! Squirt gun painting is about as fun as it gets. Try a wide variety of colors with this painting technique!
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25
Mod Podge Slime
Discover how to make Mod Podge slime with just three simple ingredients! Fun, easy, and perfect for kids. Dive into this gooey project today.
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26
craftsbyamanda.com
Create a Robot
Head to your recycling bin and grab pretty much everything! I'm sure that together you'll find a way to use it on a robot like this one that features Duck tape.
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27
diycandy.com
Magical Cloud Dough Recipe (2 Ingredients)
This inexpensive activity can be created with items you may already have on hand! Kids will love seeing it come together and then getting to play with it.
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28
littlebinsforlittlehands.com
Make a Catapult
This popsicle stick catapult design is an awesome STEM activity for kids of all ages! Exploring physics has never been so exciting because everyone loves to launch stuff into the air.
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29
fluxingwell.com
Learn About & Make Pointillism Art
Learn about pointillism art and how it is created. Then create your own using the ideas included in this post
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30
www.anoffgridlife.com
Learn About & Build an Insect Hotel
Learn how to make an easy DIY bug hotel using natural materials found outside such as sticks, moss, and leaves!
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31
mamaofminis.com
Ask Funny Toddler Interview Questions
Here are some fun questions that toddlers can answer. You can ask them the questions, and then have them ask you the same question back if they are curious!
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32
twokidsandacoupon.com
Play Water Balloon Games
Check out this ultimate guide to water balloon games for some great ideas and tips. This is a great activity for a hot day!
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33
www.thecrafttrain.com
Make & Play with Egg Carton Helicopters
Upcycle an old egg carton by making these helicopters! This cute and easy DIY toy is not only fun to make, but fun to play with afterward.
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Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Here are some great ideas for doing a scavenger hunt with your kids. Pair up, and see what you can find. Each of these ideas is a bit different, so you can pick one or do them all!
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www.redtedart.com
Go on a Rainbow Nature Scavenger Hunt
This is a photo scavenger hunt you can do as a family. Grab your phone and head out with the kids in search of a rainbow of colors in nature.
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35
diycandy.com
Go on a Muffin Tin Nature Scavenger Hunt
Download the free printable and go on a nature scavenger hunt where you collect items in a muffin tin!
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36
rockyourhomeschool.net
Go on a Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
Get your kids to think more about what they are thankful for with this scavenger hunt. They can physically gather the items, draw them, or just write them down.
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37
fouraroundtheworld.com
Go on a Camping Scavenger Hunt
If you camp as a family, this is a great activity for while you are there. There is one with a list of written items, and another with pictures so toddlers can play too. There is also a list of ways to vary up the hunt… even a treasure hunt idea!
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38
www.cobberson.com
Go on a Backyard Scavenger Hunt
Use the toddler-friendly printable with images to have a scavenger hunt in your own backyard!
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39
thedecoratedcookie.com
Go on Multiple Scavenger Hunts
This site has a few different scavenger hunt ideas for both inside and outside. There is also a printable for kids to create their own scavenger hunt!
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Do you have any fun activities for kids that you enjoy too? Share in the comments below so we can all try them out! Then take a look at these fun craft ideas for kids: