When the kids are home, it can seem like they are always looking for something new and fun to do. Finding fun activities for kids to keep them occupied and entertained can feel daunting. Here is a collection of some of the best ideas for keeping the kids excited and engaged.
There is a good mix of things that kids can do at home and some ideas for family outings. With a little planning, you can cater your selections to your location and the ages of your children.
Whether you are looking for fun ideas to do with your biological kids or foster kids, the following activities are always fun to do.
Fun Activities for Kids that are Exciting and Memorable
Take a Trip to the Zoo
Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! All kids love a trip to the zoo. The experience of seeing animals up close and personal will provide hours of fun. Most zoos also provide a variety of educational programs specifically made for children, from talks in front of the aquarium to “petting” some of the more exotic creatures (like snakes!)
Make Your Own Slime
This can get a bit messy, but that’s really part of the fun. Making slime has become a hot trend among kids. You can find all sorts of recipes but the basic mix is glue, borax, and water. Kids can experiment making their own colors and adding additional elements (like glitter!) Designate a slime-zone (where the mess will be contained) and let the slime fun begin!
Take Advantage of Your Local Library
Your local library can be a gold mine for fun activities. Of course, there are books. In addition to the literary selection, there are usually story times, crafts, and special events. Most libraries have staff dedicated specifically to children’s programs and are a great educational (and entertainment) resource. Best of all, the library is free!
Click here to find public libraries in your state
Build a Kids Fort
Most adults have at least one childhood memory of building a fortress of some kind from household items. Building forts is a fun way to inspire imaginative play. Kids can build their fort (or castle or secret hideout) out of all sorts of materials such as blankets, pillows, or boxes.
If you have a number of cardboard boxes, they can go even further and customize their “decorations” by drawing on the outside of the boxes.
Take a Class Together
A great way to bond with your child is to learn something new together. Taking a class can provide a bonding experience while having a fun time learning or creating something together. The type of class you choose should be specific to your child’s age and interests.
This could be a class about music, art, cooking, a sport, a craft, the ideas are endless. There are a variety of businesses that design classes for kids, making sure they are both informative and entertaining. Community recreation centers are also a great resource for finding a class.
Construct an Obstacle Course
Talk about hours of fun. An obstacle course is a great way to keep kids amused. There is a lot of room for creativity here. The course can be as simple or as complex as you would like. Obstacles can include various objects from around the house.
It doesn’t really matter WHAT the obstacles are as long as the kids have to go over, under or around them. You could also include some “complete the challenge” obstacles like shooting a basketball hoop or completing X number of rotations with a hula hoop.
As a bonus, their running (and re-running) of the course is a great way to exercise and burn off some of that seemingly never-ending supply of energy that kids have.
Mini-Golf
There is just something about mini golf that kids absolutely LOVE. Mini golf is all about short courses that have interesting objects incorporated. You can head to a mini-golf course if there is one close by or the kids can make their own course at home.
All they need is a couple of kid-sized clubs, a few golf balls, and their imagination. Who knows, they could be the next great golfer in the making.
Picnic and Hike or Playground
Eating outside is always more exciting than eating inside. Get the kids outdoors, either on a hike or going to a park with a playground (some places even have both) and pack a simple picnic for lunch. The fresh air, sunshine, and exercise are a perfect mix for a fun adventure with the kids.
Dance Party
Who doesn’t enjoy a good dance party? This is one fun activity that you don’t necessarily need to plan for. You can use Pandora or Spotify to stream fun dance music or have a playlist ready on your phone. You can get in on the action too and show the kids your sweet moves. Just try to make sure the lyrics are kid-friendly.
Scavenger Hunt
While you will need to prepare a little for a scavenger hunt, this activity can be as simple or as intricate as you like. It is easiest to work backward when planning the hunt. Pick an endpoint or “thing” that the kids should find. Choose several spots they will need to find before this final destination.
You will then need to come up with clues that will lead them from one spot to the next. Kids really get a kick out of figuring out where they need to go next. If there is a promised prize at the end, it just adds to their anticipation.
Here’s a detailed post about fun scavenger hunt ideas for kids
Visit a Museum
Think of this as a family field trip and let the kids take the lead on deciding which museum to visit. Art, historical and children’s museums are all great options.
Museums usually have rotating exhibits, in addition to some permanent ones, so even if you’ve previously visited a particular museum, there may be something new to check out. Kids can lead the way, learning and exploring, especially if there are kid-focused programs.
Blind Taste Test
While it may take a little bit of planning, a blind taste test is a really fun, home-based activity for kids. The anticipation and not knowing what’s coming next will excite foodies and picky eaters alike. It’s easiest to start with a theme (fruit, drinks, etc.) and develop the list of tastings from there. This is also an exciting way to expand kids’ plates.
Spending quality time with your kids is very important because it builds stronger bond within your family, teaches important life lessons, and much more. There are a lot of ways to plan fun activities for kids without spending a fortune.
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