Family Activities

Turn philosophy into family fun. Here are 67+ ways to connect, learn, and build your family culture.

All Activities

Browse all activities organized by category. Use the tabs above to filter by year-round or seasonal.

Daily Activities

Cooking Together

Preparing meals together teaches life skills, math, science, and creates lasting memories.

Daily Chores

Age-appropriate household tasks that teach responsibility and contribute to family life.

Daily Storytime

A daily ritual of reading together that builds connection, language skills, and a love of books.

Family Meals

Shared meals and conversation that create daily opportunities for connection, communication, and family bonding.

Gratitude Practice

Daily appreciation and thankfulness that builds positive mindset, empathy, and appreciation for others and life's blessings.

Weeknight Activities

Athletic Play

Physical activities including kicking balls, jungle gym play, and outdoor games that promote fitness and coordination.

Board Game Night

Weekly family game nights that build strategy, patience, and good sportsmanship.

Engineering Play

Building with Lego, circuits, and other engineering materials to develop problem-solving and creativity.

Expressive Play

Creative activities including painting, improv, drama, and artistic expression that encourage self-discovery and communication.

Family Meetings

Regular family forums for airing grievances, resolving conflicts, and practicing forgiveness while establishing consistent family boundaries and communication.

Movie Night

Weekly family movie tradition that creates shared experiences and opportunities for discussion about themes, characters, and values.

Video Game Night

Family gaming sessions that promote teamwork, problem-solving, and digital literacy while having fun together.

Weekend Out Activities

Amusement Centers

Arcade games, laser tag, go karts, and other indoor entertainment that provides fun, competition, and family bonding experiences.

Beach/Lake Trips

Water activities and relaxation that provide opportunities for swimming, sand play, and family bonding in natural settings.

Bike Rides

Family cycling adventures that promote fitness, environmental awareness, and exploration of local neighborhoods and trails.

Bowling

Classic family activity that combines fun, competition, and social interaction while teaching patience and sportsmanship.

Charity Events

Participating in walk-a-thons, fundraising events, and donation drives that teach compassion and community service while helping others in need.

Climbing/Parkour

Rock climbing, parkour, and obstacle course activities that develop physical strength, problem-solving, and spatial awareness.

Community Service

Neighborhood cleanups, helping neighbors, and local service projects that teach responsibility, compassion, and community engagement.

Concerts

Live musical performances that develop appreciation for different genres and cultural expressions.

Elderly Visits

Visiting nursing homes, senior centers, and intergenerational programs that build compassion and respect for elders while creating meaningful connections.

VALUES PROMOTED

Farm Visits

Agricultural experiences and learning that connect children with food sources, animal care, and rural life.

Gardening

Growing vegetables, flowers, and herbs together teaches patience, responsibility, and connection to nature.

Geocaching

Modern treasure hunting using GPS coordinates to find hidden caches in outdoor locations.

Historical Sites

Visiting monuments and landmarks that teach history, culture, and critical thinking about past events and their significance.

Hobby Stores

Visits to specialty stores for comics, collectibles, crafts, and hobbies that spark interests and encourage exploration of new passions.

Library Visits

Regular trips to the library to discover new books, attend programs, and develop a love of reading.

Movie Theater

Cinema experiences that create special family memories and opportunities to discuss films, themes, and storytelling.

Museums

Visiting art, science, history, and children's museums to expand knowledge and curiosity.

Peer Support

Buddy systems and mentoring programs that teach children to support and guide younger peers, developing leadership and compassion skills.

Sports Events

Watching or participating in sports events that teach teamwork, sportsmanship, and appreciation for athletic achievement.

Theatre

Live theatrical performances that expose children to the arts and different storytelling traditions.

Yard Games & Sports

Outdoor games and sports including badminton, croquet, frisbee, and other yard activities that promote physical activity and family fun.

Zoo/Aquarium

Visiting zoos and aquariums that teach about animal behavior, conservation, and biodiversity while fostering appreciation for wildlife.

Weekend In Activities

Arts & Crafts

Creative activities using various materials to express imagination and develop fine motor skills.

Cardboard Forts

Imaginative construction using cardboard boxes and household materials to create forts, castles, and play spaces that encourage creativity.

Cultural Exchange

Pen pal programs and international family connections that build understanding, empathy, and appreciation for different cultures and perspectives.

Dance Parties & Sing-alongs

Musical family fun that promotes physical activity, self-expression, and joy through dancing and singing together.

Filmmaking

Creative video production that teaches storytelling, technology skills, and collaboration while allowing children to express their ideas through film.

Lego Building

Creative construction play that develops spatial reasoning, problem-solving skills, and engineering thinking through hands-on building.

Music Lessons

Learning to play musical instruments develops discipline, creativity, and appreciation for the arts.

Puzzle Solving

Jigsaw puzzles, brain teasers, and logic games that develop problem-solving skills, patience, and critical thinking.

Scavenger Hunts

Treasure hunting games that develop observation skills, problem-solving, and teamwork while exploring the world around us.

Science Experiments

Hands-on experiments that teach scientific concepts and encourage curiosity about the natural world.

Spring Activities

Historical Reenactment Events

Immersive historical experiences that bring history to life and encourage curiosity about different time periods and cultures.

Nature Hikes

Spring nature walks and outdoor exploration that connect children with seasonal changes, wildlife, and natural beauty.

Strawberry Picking

Seasonal fruit picking that connects children to where their food comes from and the natural cycles of growth.

Summer Activities

Blueberry Picking

Seasonal fruit picking that connects children with nature, teaches about food sources, and creates memories of summer harvests.

Botanical Gardens

Exploring plant collections and gardens that teach about biodiversity, conservation, and the beauty of the natural world.

National Parks

Exploring America's natural treasures to develop appreciation for nature and outdoor skills.

Picnics

Outdoor meals and family gatherings that combine food, nature, and social connection in relaxed outdoor settings.

Road Trips

Extended family adventures to national parks, historical sites, and new destinations using the Every Kid Outdoors pass.

Scenic Railways & Train Rides

Historic and scenic train journeys that combine transportation, history, and natural beauty while creating memorable family experiences.

Sports Games

Watching professional or local sports games that teach appreciation for athletic achievement, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Summer Camps

Day camps and educational programs that provide structured learning, social interaction, and skill development during summer months.

Swimming

Pool, beach, or lake activities that promote water safety, physical fitness, and family fun in aquatic environments.

Tubing/Rafting

Water tubing, rafting, and river activities that provide adventure, teamwork, and connection with natural water environments.

Waterpark

Water park visits featuring slides, pools, and water attractions that provide fun, physical activity, and family bonding in aquatic environments.

Wild Animal Encounters

Safari experiences, petting zoos, and wildlife encounters that teach about animal behavior, conservation, and our connection to nature.

Fall Activities

Camping

Outdoor adventures that teach survival skills, environmental awareness, and family bonding.

Fall Festivals

Seasonal celebrations that bring communities together through harvest traditions, local crafts, and autumn activities.

Kite Flying

Wind-powered fun that teaches about weather, physics, and patience while enjoying outdoor time and seasonal breezes.

Pumpkin Picking

Autumn tradition of selecting pumpkins from local farms, often including hayrides and fall activities.

Winter Activities

Holiday Baking

Seasonal baking traditions that create family memories, teach cooking skills, and provide opportunities to share treats with others.

Toy Donations

Teaching generosity and empathy by donating toys and belongings to help other children while decluttering and sharing abundance.

Winter Festivals

Seasonal celebrations that bring warmth and joy to cold months through community events, winter activities, and festive traditions.

Winter Holiday Traditions

Annual winter traditions including tree selection, decorating, reading holiday books, watching movies, and visiting light displays.

Finding the Right Activities

Each activity is designed to promote specific values and character traits while being appropriate for different age ranges. Look for activities that match your child's current developmental stage and interests, and don't be afraid to adapt activities to fit your family's unique circumstances and values.