43 Fun Family Activities To Do At Home on Weekends, Holidays or Whenever!
Nothing beats a quiet family day at home. Whether you are in the thick of the Summer school holidays and taking a break from the endless excursions, or are looking for a little time out after a particularly busy week, it always helps to have a stash of fun family activities on hand to enjoy a quiet day at home together.
How to choose your family activities
Choosing family activities to do at home isn’t always easy. With all different age groups, there is bound to be some differences.
When choosing activities to do with the family make sure that you either choose something that everyone loves or that almost everyone wants to do. If you have to take a vote.
The other thing you can do is each family member chooses an activity and writes it down and puts it in a hat. Then someone puts their hand in and picks one out. You can do one or even all of the family activities if you have time so that you can make everyone happy!
Fun Family Activities to do at Home
Family time means the perfect bonding time! And you don’t always have to go out to enjoy it. Whether you are looking for family weekend activities or family holiday activities when you have some time off work, here’s 20 refreshing outdoor and indoor family activities to do at home that will make your downtime even more enjoyable.
1. Board Games
If you don’t have space dedicated to board games at home, then it’s time to make that happen because board games are one of the best family activities to do at home. Stock it up full of your favourites and be on the lookout throughout the year for sales to add to your collection.
Another great idea? Head to your local op shop and let the kids pick out a few – such great value for money! There’s nothing better than encouraging a little friendly competition for the family.
See our favourites: Best family board games
2. Grow a Vegetable Garden
Gardening is a great family activity to do at home. You have to prepare a little in advance for this at-home activity, but it’s well worth it. You don’t even need much outdoor space! Simply buy some planter boxes (Bunnings is a great place to look) and then stock up on fertiliser and seeds ready to go.
Save it for a home day and get digging! Here’s a little guidance on some easy-to-grow vegetables to get you started. It’s an activity everyone will love getting into – and watching over time.
3. Get Physical
Have the kids got ants in their pants from too much time indoors? Easy to happen on a day at home. A great family activity to do at home is to have a work out together!
Here’s some fun exercises for the kids, from skipping and yoga through to crab walks and dancing. Perfect way to shake those sillies out while enjoying some good laughs.
4. Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is one of the best family activities at home that everyone can get involved in. With these FREE printables, all the hard work is done for you.
Simply print it out, start hiding the clues and let the kids loose. You can even turn it into a competition and give each kid their own colour. Print out the same clues on different coloured paper to see who makes it to the end first!
5. Creative Writing
Unleash your creative side and set a writing task to do together as a family. An at-home day is the perfect opportunity to channel your inner wordsmith and really test your imagination.
Here’s 60+ creative writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing. Who knows, you might have the next J.K Rowling on your hands!
6. Start a Family Tradition
Family traditions are a great thing to start that can create family fun for years to come. It could be something simple like a Tuesday taco night or a certain day where you cook together, or it could be an evening walk.
Check out our list of Family Tradition Ideas to start your own.
7. Play Cards
A good friendly card game is always an interesting at home family activity for all ages. It can get competitive too. There are so many fun card games out there, how about these math games using cards to get the kids brains working.
8. Puzzle Time
Ever attempted a family puzzle together? You can thank us later! Again, you can head off to an op shop to stock up your cupboard or look out for sales over the year.
Tip out the pieces and get everyone working together. Depending on how hard the puzzle is, you might not be able to finish in a day, so pick a space where you can leave it. You will all feel a sense of achievement when it’s finished!
If you don’t like physical puzzles, try some brain teaser puzzles or check out our list of fun riddles for kids!
9. Would You Rather
This is always a great family game to do at home to pass the time. It’s also a great bonding exercise. Take it in turns to ask questions such as, ‘Would you rather be a cat or dog?’ ‘Would you rather have pizza or ice-cream?’ and so on.
We even have these Would you rather questions for kids printables ready to print out for you to make your family day at home much easier.
10. Movie Afternoon
It’s movie time! The hardest part will be agreeing on something everyone wants to watch, but with so many options these days, it shouldn’t be too hard.
Turn it into a whole-day activity. Get the kids to write out the movie tickets, get the popcorn ready and allocate seats, to turn this into a full movie experience. Check out our movie lists:
11. Create an obstacle course
On the hunt for fun family activities? This one’s a winner. Get the kids to set up an obstacle course around the house. Throw the cushions off the couch, and make yourselves a course to follow around the room.
12. Try your hand at Origami
YouTube is a magical space full of plenty of great origami tutorials. Don’t have any origami paper on hand? Make some. Simply cut some paper into square shapes and you’re ready to go.
Here you can find some simple origami activities to do with the family at home to get creative!
13. Spring Clean!
OK, the kids might not be too keen on this family activity, but a family home day is the perfect chance to have a good clean up.
If the kids need a little convincing, why not throw out the idea of a garage sale, where they can get rid of some of their unwanted things and earn a little cash in the process – there’s no better incentive!
14. Paint together
Painting is a creative outdoor or indoor family activity to do at home and you there are so many ways you can paint. Create your own masterpiece, or grab yourself one of those paint by numbers and cheat your way to being the next Picasso!
15. Have an indoor picnic
Who says you have to leave the house to enjoy a picnic? Instead, pull out the rug and raid the kitchen.
Get everyone to chip in and see what they can bring along to share. You could even enjoy a spot of baking with this one. Once you’re all set up, it’s time to indulge.
16. Make time capsules
This one’s a great idea that is sure to bring up some great memories down the track. Get everyone to find one or two items to pop in a time capsule.
You can even search on Pinterest and get everyone to fill out a questionnaire about their current interests. While traditionally you want to bury these in your backyard, you can also simply seal the box and put it at the back of the cupboard for years to come!
17. Make Daisy Chains
Remember making these when you were a kid? I do and they are so much fun! Another super creative family activity to do at home anywhere. All you need is to pick some daisies or a similar flower and tie them together to make some bracelets or necklaces.
18. Put on a talent show
Looking for fun things to do at home with family? Put a family talent show at the top of your list! It will keep everyone busy for the day, coming up with their act and working to perfect it for the big moment.
Make a golden rule: every family member has to do an act. Everyone then gets to vote and best act wins!
19. Set up a backyard tent
Do the kids love camping? Set up the tent in the backyard and let them camp out for the day (and maybe even the night too).
Even better if you have some marshmallows on hand that you can roast (with supervision, of course!).
20. Pizza Night!
Put the kids to use helping make their dinner for the night. There’s nothing better than homemade pizzas, and the best part, you can use up all your leftovers on them! Don’t have pizza bases? Get creative and use bread, wraps, or anything else you can find. They don’t have to be perfect.
21. Read books
How often do we have time in our busy lives to simply settle back with a good book in our hands? It’s no secret kids learn by seeing, so open up your book and get reading – then encourage them to do the same. Have some reluctant readers on your hands?
Why not choose an audiobook that you can all lay back and listen to together. The perfect lazy afternoon.
Check out our list of the best book sets for all ages.
22. Get Cooking
Have you ever heard of the app Supercook? Go ahead and download it right now. It’s a game changer! You can add in any ingredients you have in your cupboard, and it will provide a list of recipe suggestions using those exact ingredients. The perfect way to have a little pantry cull, while also keeping the kids nice and busy. Who knows what will be on the menu! But one thing’s for sure, you won’t have to dash out to the shops for this one. Win!
23. Learn some tricks
Turn the whole family into magicians with some easy tricks. You can pull out the cards, or get everyone Googling to see the best trick they can come up with.
Even better, make it a challenge: everyone has to perform their own. Remember: a true magician never reveals their secrets.
24. Look through old photos
There’s nothing better than using your time at home to take a trip down memory lane. Pull out the old photos (or bring them up on your phone) and enjoy looking back. It’s also a great opportunity to print out your favourites and even pop them onto a canvas to hang around your home.
Next time you find yourself with a day at home, you’ll be ready for plenty of fun! The hardest thing will be choosing what activities you have time for.
25. Go for a family bike ride
Bike rides are always a great family weekend activity, but can also work after school or work on the weekdays. Get your helmets and go explore your local area by bike and get some exercise at the same time.
26. Do some Science Experiments
Whether you buy a science kit, or find some online, science experiments can be an exciting activity to do at home for the whole family. Cure the curiosity and learn about different things. Check out these easy science experiments the whole family can do together.
27. Decorate a T-shirt
Get the kids (and you) to pick out an old shirt from their wardrobe. Tip out the textas and art supplies and go for gold! The more creative the better. You can then combine this with a fashion show at the end where everyone can show off their creations.
28. Throw a fashion show!
You can have so much with this one! Either raid the dress-up box, or take things to the next level and let the kids raid your wardrobe (with restrictions of course) and have fun dressing up as mum and dad. Let them style their own outfits and have some fun with it, before you pop on the music and let them walk the catwalk (aka the hallway!).
29. Research your family tree
Do you know your family background? A family tree is a great activity to do at home with the family and all you need is eachother!
Start your family tree with your immediate family and branch out from there. Give grandma and grandpa a call to ask them about their parents and grandparents and see how far you can go back.
30. Enjoy makeovers
Get out those brushes, bring down the make up and start practicing those skills. Kids will love being able to experiment with eye shadow, nail polish, hairstyles and more. It’s even more fun if mum and dad are involved too. Sit down in that chair and let them go crazy. You might just discover a new look you love!
31. Chalk Drawings
Got some chalk handy? The options are endless. Have fun creating masterpieces on the ground, or even set up some games. You can draw an outdoor obstacle course, or hopscotch and challenge the entire family to a round – or two.
32. Go for a walk or jog
A family walk is always nice bonding time. Whether you walk or jog, spending time together is what it is all about. Stop to have a chat, a picnic, or rest or see how fast you can make it back home.
33. Karaoke Time
Turn on the music and let everyone have a turn at belting out a tune. All you need is awesome speakers at the ready and everyone’s best singing voices primed for the task. Once everyone’s had their turn, it’s time to move onto the duets!
34. Get Crafty
We all have that art and craft cupboard that is full of tissue paper, pom poms, and whatever scraps we have leftover from other projects. Time to put them to good use! You can jump on Pinterest and look for some inspiration, or simply divide the art supplies between the family and set a challenge: what can you come up with. Be prepared for a mess and a whole lot of laughter, too!
35. Charades
One of our favourite family activities to do together is play a game of charades! Choose a player to start and get them to choose a word, phrase, movie title, or book that they can act out. The player can then act it out and the first person to guess is the winner. Now it’s their turn!
36. Wash the Car
Looking for a practical family activity to do at home? Wash the car! It needs to be done anyway so why not make it a fun activity the whole family can do together.
Each choose a job from vacuuming the inside, to cleaning the dash or outside the car. Someone has to do the tyres right? This is a great family bonding activity where you can all work together.
37. Stargaze
Is it a nice clear night outside? Head out in your backyard together as a family to stargaze. See which constellations you can point out or just make your own pictures from the stars together. You might even get lucky to see a shooting star while your out there and you can make a wish!
38. Become gymnasts
Have your kids ever wanted to perfect a cartwheel? Or try their luck at handstands? With mum and dad around to help out, all you need is a soft mat or some grass and you’re ready to go. Even better, mum and dad can have a turn too.
See if they can bring out their inner gymnast. Looking for an added challenge – get the whole family down into the splits! One thing’s for sure, your bellies will be splitting with laughter.
39. Do Random Acts of Kindness
Random acts of kindness are always a sweet family activity to do together. It can be as simple as baking some muffins for the people in your court, or writing a nice letter of thanks. Doing random acts of kindness can make you feel so much happiness. Check out our great list of simple acts of kindness for kids.
40. Fly a kite together
Have a kite? Even if you don’t they are quite cheap from your local store. Flying a kite isn’t always easy but can be such a fun activity to do at home with the family whether you have one each or share. See how high you can go.
41. Get Icy
Got some balloons handy? Give one to each family member and get them to find a small object (that can get wet). Pop it in the balloon and fill with water, then place in the freezer. You’ll have to be patient for this one. Once they’re frozen, get them out and hold a competition: who can chip their object out of the ice first?
42. Have a family photoshoot
Love to get snappy? Get the camera out and have a family photoshoot. One by one or altogether. Serious or funny snaps, you can get as creative as you want.
43. Pull out the Lego
There’s nothing better than a spot of family Lego time. Whether you have a kit that you’re already working on, or a bucket of spare Lego ready for creating, get the whole family involved. Find something you can work on together and get building. It’s a great bonding activity.
More Family Fun Activities?
If our list of 40 family activities to do at home isn’t enough check out these lists with more family fun ideas!
- Best kids activities at home
- Best backyard activities
- Best summer activities
- Best sensory activities
- Montessori practical life activities
- Risk taking activities
Make sure you check out our Facebook Page for more fun ideas!
