Fun Family Activities for All Ages

Whether you're a stay-at-home parent looking for ways to occupy the children or a busy executive looking for ways to reconnect with your family on the weekends, it can sometimes be a challenge to find cost-effective, entertaining activities that will be fun for all age groups. With a little planning, you can find fresh ideas for family fun.

  1. Local Attractions

    • Museums. Enjoy a day at a local museum. With a little research, you can probably find one that focuses on subjects that interest your family: art, history, science, and more. Plus, museums offer a safe-haven from rain and extreme temperatures.

      Zoos and Farms. Going to a zoo can be an exciting experience for children and adults alike. It's fun to see animals you usually only see on television or read about in books. When you get there, check the schedule to see if the zoo offers specific animal feeding times. Working farms can be enriching too. Children love to see where their food comes from. And if it encourages them to eat their veggies, that's even better.

      Local Festivals. Check local newspapers for information on local fairs. They usually include showcases by local musicians, artists and dance troupes. And they highlight tasty local foods.

    Back to Nature

    • Parks. Find a park with a bike trail. Children and adults alike can ride bikes, skate or walk. These also provide great opportunities for bug- and bird-watching.

      Geocaching. This high-tech version of hide-and-seek provides hours of enjoyment for adventure-seeking treasure hunters. A geocacher places a container, pinpoints its location using GPS coordinates and then shares the geocache's location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can try to find the geocache.

      Beach. Pack your towels, sunscreen and lunch for a day at the nearest beach. Play volleyball or build sandcastles, or swim in the surf. Arm the children with a shovel and pail and see what treasures they come back with.

    Fun and Games

    • A traditional Family Game Night offers something for everyone.

      Bowling. If you just have a couple of hours, the bowling alley is a great place for family fun. With gutter bumpers, even the youngest members of the family can get a strike.

      Board Games. Family Game Night is a classic. Break out all those board games from the closet, and let each member of the family choose a favorite for the whole group to play. Pair the games with snacks, and you're creating a laid-back time for reconnecting.

      Arts and Crafts. Let your imagination run wild. Provide a table full of craft supplies: glue, beads, markers, sequins, construction paper, craft sticks and anything else you have around the house. Suggest a theme, set a timer and see what everyone creates.

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