101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home (2024 Reviews)

Sure, going to the movies, a museum, or a restaurant can be a fun way to spend time with your kids. But there’s no need to spend a bunch of money – or even leave your home – to keep them entertained. Some of the best educational, adventurous, and engaging activities can be done right in your backyard, kitchen, or living room!

This massive list of fun activities to do with kids – 101 of them, to be exact – features science experiments, cooking activities, workouts, competitions, and other activity ideas to test out right in your home. And you can get the whole family together to do them!

Whether you want to break away from screen time more often, incorporate more interesting learning activities into your children’s routine, or just make some family bonding moments in your home, you can definitely find plenty to do on this list.

Categories:

Science Activities

1. Start an Indoor Garden (Ages 4+)

If the weather isn’t quite right for gardening outside yet, try setting up one in your home. Some veggies, herbs, and plants are incredibly easy to grow indoors with just some soil, water, and sunlight. Plus, your kiddo will learn more about the plant cycle and what plants need to thrive.

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2. Do a Dinosaur Dig (Ages 4+)

Do you have a dinosaur enthusiast on your hands? Simulate a dinosaur excavation by making one yourself. This activity is perfect for including sensory play in your little one’s routine. With some household items and a few plastic dinosaurs (or dinos you make yourself), you and your kids can feel like real-life paleontologists.

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3. Take Up Astronomy (Ages 6+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Take Up Astronomy
“Kid and telescope” by GerryT is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Learn about the stars and planets together without ever leaving home. Exploring astronomy can help your child understand that there’s more out there than the Earth we live on – and it’s so beautiful to discover! Head out at night to look at the stars, put together a DIY solar system, or learn about the phases of the moon.

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4. Try Bubble Experiments (All Ages)

Bubbles are colorful, oh-so-fun to play with, and yes, a little messy (which makes them perfect in the eyes of many kids!). Bubble experiments can also teach about movement, surface tension, and chemistry, making them just as educational as they are enjoyable. You can even make a simple bubble solution in your own kitchen.

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5. Make Slime or Play Dough (Ages 3+)

It’s no secret that kids of all ages (even adults!) love stretching, squeezing, and molding slime and play dough. These sensory items play into a child’s sense of touch while allowing them to experiment with how they move. Together, you can discover what happens when specific ingredients interact to create these playful items, and there are plenty of recipes for slime and play dough on Pinterest to explore.

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6. Construct a Marble Run (Ages 4+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Construct a Marble Run
“Simple Marble Run” by foilman is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Grab some marbles and get in on the fun of discovering how they move and what makes them go faster. You and your kiddos can experiment with building tracks of different shapes and sizes with a range of materials you have in your home, from shoe boxes to popsicle sticks, to see how fast you can get the marbles rolling.

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7. Make a Lava Lamp (Ages 8+)

Did you know that you can make your very own lava lamp at home with the kids just by using ingredients already in your kitchen? Break out the oil, water, food coloring, and a few other simple ingredients and watch science start to work right before your eyes. Your little one can even put their lava lamp in a jar to keep in their room.

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8. Create a Mirror Box (Ages 6+)

Want a way to study objects up close? Craft a mirror box together! Your children will be fascinated by all the different shapes and angles they can see when viewing an object up close in the mirror box. One idea: Take the mirror box outside and get some creepy, crawly insects, like ants or worms, to place in the box to observe.

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9. Learn About Physics (Ages 4+)

How does a car move? What makes snowflakes fall? The answers to these questions rely on physics, and your youngster will love discovering everything about motion when you work it into a fun activity like those listed below.

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10. Design a Parachute (Ages 6+)

A parachute uses air resistance, slowing down the speed at which whatever it’s attached to falls to a surface. Get the family together to have a parachute designing contest! Not only is this friendly competition perfect for family bonding, but it’s also educational. Who can make their object fall the slowest with their awesome parachute design?

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11. Learn a New Science Subject Each Week (All Ages)

Have your child choose a new science subject to learn about each week. (Have more than one child? Rotate who gets to choose each week.) There are virtually endless ones to choose from, like learning about weather patterns and studying ocean animals.

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12. Make Fossils (Ages 6+)

Geology can be a subject of intense interest for kids of all ages. What better way to intrigue your Earth-loving kiddo than with an activity that lets them make their own fossils? Use dinosaur or insect toys to imprint into a dough or moldable foam clay of your choice to show how fossils are formed. Your child can even save their fossils or put them on display as jewelry or an ornament.

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13. Experiment with Eggs (Ages 6+)

You probably already have eggs in your fridge, and if you don’t, they’re readily accessible at any grocery store and even many convenience stores – and they’re inexpensive. Believe it or not, a simple egg can create interesting science experiments for your kids. It’s always fun to get into science in the kitchen!

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14. Learn About Shadows (All Ages)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Learn About Shadows
“Kids” by clundh is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Whether you’re stuck inside on a rainy day or can hop outside to bask in the sun, your family can play and learn with shadows. Use your bodies to make pictures on a wall or watch how shadows move when the light changes. There’s always something new to experiment with when you mix light and objects.

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15. Discover How Germs Work (All Ages)

It’s super important for kids to know that germs are always there, but some can make them really sick. Dive into some educational germ activities together to help your little ones see just how quickly germs can spread (yuck!) and how to keep themselves clean.

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Art and Music Activities

16. Have a Dance Party (All Ages)

There’s nothing better for beating the blues or having fun as a family than a good, old-fashioned dance party. Turn up the tunes, put on your best dancing clothes, and start moving together! You can even invite your long-distance family members to join on video.

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17. Make a Sun Catcher (Ages 3+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Make a Sun Catcher
“Sun Catcher” by Arizona Parrot is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

If it’s a rainy day outside, make a sun catcher to wish the sun to come back out and play. You and your kids can get super creative to make sun catchers with objects you have in your home, like paper plates, plastic beads, and tissue paper. Pinterest has tons of ideas to explore.

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18. Draw Together (All Ages)

Get collaborative with your drawing, painting, and crafting. Instead of working separately, work on a project together. Take turns drawing part of a picture or have each person make a separate page for a comic book. It’s a fun way to let everyone show off their artistic sides and create something together.

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19. Write New Lyrics to a Song (Ages 6+)

Think of some songs you and your kids love to listen to together. Now, come up with new lyrics for some of your favorites! Or, pick an instrumental song with no lyrics to write lyrics for.

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20. Use Food to Create Art (All Ages)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Use Food to Create Art
“Cool Fun Food Art and Nutrition Class with Head Start” by Coqui the Chef is licensed under CC BY 2.0

This activity doesn’t use your usual paper, markers, and craft supplies – but it does use food! Head to the kitchen and find colorful foods that you and your kids can use to make beautiful art. Gather crackers, cheese, fruit, veggies, candy, and other edibles. This is the only time you’ll be happy to let your little ones play with their food.

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21. Make Music with Household Items (All Ages)

Gather supplies from around your home and see what kind of music you can make. From using pots and pans as “drums” to making a tambourine with paper plates and jingle bells, there are so many ways to be creative and start a family band.

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22. Make Art with Random Objects (Ages 4+)

You can also use stuff you find around your home to make art. Art is all about turning what you have into something new, so this is the perfect way to be creative and see what you can come up with as a family. Search your cupboards and spare drawers to look for materials to use for art projects.

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23. Make Music with Your Body (Ages 4+)

You don’t need anything but your body to compose music! Kids of all ages can enjoy moving their bodies in ways that produce fun noises – and it gets them exercising. Use your hands, feet, head, mouth, and other body parts to make a new tune.

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24. Paint with Food (All Ages)

Forget buying paint from the store. The food in your pantry or kitchen might be just what you need to make your own paint. As a bonus, your little ones can see that a lot of science goes into working with food and that food can be used for more than just eating.

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25. Make Handmade Jewelry (Ages 6+)

Crafting jewelry targets the little muscles in your child’s fingers, hands, and wrists, so it’s a good way to strengthen those muscles and improve their fine motor skills (they’re what your little one will need for writing!) while tackling a new project. You could even make jewelry for your kiddo to sell at a yard sale to earn some money of their own.

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26. Try Blow Painting (Ages 6+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Try Blow Painting
“5th blow paint 2014-15” by applejux is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Blow painting is a unique type of art in which you’ll use a straw to blow watered-down paint around a piece of paper. The result? A splattered paint effect that’s perfect for creating whimsical designs unlike other types of painting. You can make abstract art with this technique or experiment with one of the activities below.

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27. Create a Mural in Your Home (Ages 8+)

Do you have a spare wall in a hallway or in a bedroom that could use a little personality? Get the whole family together to paint a mural on it! First, cover the floor with a tarp and tape off the surrounding corners and ceiling to prevent paint from getting where you don’t want it. Then, give the kids some paint and rollers or paintbrushes and see what they come up with.

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28. Follow a Painting YouTube Video (Ages 6+)

YouTube is an incredible resource for finding follow-along painting tutorials that are simple enough for kids to enjoy, too. Buy a few canvases and acrylic paints from your nearby hobby and craft store and have a virtual art lesson right in your home.

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29. Play Games with Music (Ages 3+)

Enjoy music together while playing entertaining games that get everyone laughing. Find some music you all can enjoy (Kidz Bop songs are usually a favorite for families!), an open space in your home with plenty of room to move, and have fun.

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Reading and Writing Activities

30. Act Out a Book (Ages 4+)

Acting out a book can improve reading comprehension and let a child’s imagination come into play. Together, you can dig deep into a book, develop the characters more, and even decide what might happen after the end of the book. Have each family member get involved by becoming a character or a prop.

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31. Make Up Your Own Words (Ages 5+)

Forget the words in a book and make up your own instead! Your kiddos will get silly and laugh as they try to come up with their own story for a book based on its pictures. This is a great activity for little ones who are just learning to make inferences about a story by looking at its pictures.

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32. Start a Family Book Club (Ages 4+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Start a Family Book Club
“Book-Club” by Joel Bedford is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Get the kids excited about reading a new book by starting a family book club. You can all get together at the end of the month to talk about your book and share your opinions. You can even pull in family that lives far away by meeting with them on video each month.

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33. Have a Book Scavenger Hunt (Ages 4+)

Look through your child’s book collection with them to go on a book scavenger hunt. Can you find a book with a red cover? How about an author with a last name that starts with A? Or a book with an animal as the main character? Get creative and make your own list to hunt down or try the scavenger hunts below.

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34. Watch Their Favorite Authors Read (All Ages)

Browse YouTube or your children’s favorite authors’ websites to see if they’re doing any read-alouds of the books they’ve written. You might be surprised to find out who is! Some of the authors that do this include Mo Willems, Kate Messner, and Bonnie Grubman.

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35. Play Story Charades (Ages 8+)

Budding readers will have a blast trying to guess the books you’re giving clues about. It’s like acting out a book in reverse! Play a game of charades with clues about books you’ve enjoyed reading together to see who can guess which book you’re acting out.

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36. Make a Photo Book (Ages 6+)

Grab a camera or phone and have everyone take turns taking some pictures of each other or things in your home. Once you get the pictures printed, you can turn it into a family book. Glue the pictures onto construction paper, write some captions, and staple the pages together. You can also make themed books, like photographing a family outing or a walk to the park.

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36. Create a New Ending for a Book (Ages 6+)

What’s a book your child loves to read? Read it together…and then have your kiddo create a brand-new ending. It can be something realistic or super silly – the choice is theirs! If your child isn’t writing yet, have them draw their ending and tell you all about it.

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37. Write Letters to Each Other (Ages 5+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Write Letters to Each Other
“Writing” by courosa is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Spend a rainy day writing letters to each other. You can write your child a letter about how proud you are of their hard work in school. Your child might write their grandpa a letter to say how much they miss him. When you’re done, give your recipient the letter or mail it.

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38. Write Your Own Books (Ages 6+)

Sit down together and write your own story! You can write a story based on something that’s happened in your family or think of something completely new. Let your child brainstorm an idea. Then, help them get their words on paper. They can even illustrate it to bring it to life.

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39. Play Reading BINGO (Ages 5+)

Print a reading BINGO board or make one of your own. This game plays just like regular BINGO, except you’ll mark off the spaces that say something relating to a book instead of a number. For example, one space might say, “Read for 10 minutes,” and another might say, “Read a book about outer space.” Your child will keep want to reading to clear the board.

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Imaginative Activities

40. Set Up a Store (All Ages)

Role playing helps teach social skills, problem solving, and so much more. One way you can tune into your child’s imagination is with a make-believe store. Turn an area of your home into a pretend store and start shopping. One of you can be a cashier while the other one plays a customer. Use pretend or real food to stock your shelves. A small box can work perfectly as a cash register. You might use a table or a long box as the checkout counter.

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41. Have a Fashion Show (All Ages)

Get some clothes out of your closet or dust off old costumes. Get dressed and show off your new duds as you catwalk through a room or hallway. You can have people play the roles of models, announcers, photographers, fashion designers, and audience members.

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42. Shoot a Family Movie (All Ages)

Use a phone or video camera to capture shots for a family movie. You can all work on planning the script, and one of you can be a director while everyone else stars in the show. If you can’t think of a new idea for a movie, try reenacting a family favorite.

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43. Pretend Play School (All Ages)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Pretend Play School
“Playing school” by amcdawes is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Even if your child doesn’t love actual school, they’ll probably love pretend school. Why? Because it lets them switch roles to become a teacher, practice subjects they love, and have fun with their families. Your child also has control over the way their “school” runs, helping them problem-solve get creative, and gain confidence.

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44. Go Indoor Camping (All Ages)

If the weather isn’t quite up to par for camping outside (or you just prefer staying indoors), set up a campsite in your living room. You can build a tent, make S’mores, build a “fire,” tell each other stories, and sing camp songs.

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45. Make a Fort with Boxes and Blankets (All Ages)

Speaking of building a tent in your living room, you can also create a fun fort out of things you have in your home, like boxes and blankets. They’re not only fun to build, but they’re also perfect spots for playing, reading, or relaxing.

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46. Pretend to Be an Animal (All Ages)

Pretending to be an animal is exciting for kids because it’s something so unlike their usual day-to-day activities. Whether they become a pet dog or venture into the wilderness as a tiger, they get to use their imaginations and have lots of fun doing it – especially when parents join in!

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47. Play Veterinarian (All Ages)

You and your little ones can also take a different role in the animal kingdom by pretending to care for animals. Gather up their beloved stuffed animals and get to work making them healthy again.

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48. Switch Family Roles (Ages 6+)

Spend a couple of hours in someone else’s shoes (and have your kiddo spend some time in yours!). Switch family roles and see what happens – it’s sure to be a blast for everyone. What is it like for your child to be in charge? How does it feel not having all of your responsibilities? When you’re done, write down your thoughts about the activity. Did you like switching spots or are you glad to be yourself again?

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49. Role-Play Community Helpers (All Ages)

Become firefighters, police officers, teachers, construction workers, librarians, or anyone else who helps the community. Pretending to be a community helper is an important imaginative step toward your child’s understanding of the world around them and everyone’s role in it. They might even discover something they want to be when they grow up!

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Cooking and Food Activities

50. Learn a Recipe Together (Ages 6+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Learn a Recipe Together
“DSC_0402.jpg” by Andrea Pokrzywinski is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Browse Pinterest or your cookbooks and find a fun new recipe that you can cook together. Look for one with simple ingredients that your child can read. This is a great opportunity to squeeze in some math and reading practice in an interesting way.

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51. Shoot a Cooking Show (Ages 6+)

Love cooking together? Try something new…with your very own cooking show! Use your phone or a video camera to film yourselves creating something in the kitchen. Then, share it with your friends and family or start a YouTube channel.

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52. Learn to Grow Veggies with Scraps (Ages 6+)

Did you know that you can grow green onions, lettuce, potatoes, and other vegetables just from the scraps you have leftover after cooking? Get your kids in on some hands-on science by growing food from scraps. They’ll also learn about not wasting food (bonus!).

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53. Taste Test New Foods (Ages 2+)

Even picky eaters might decide to try something new if it’s really different from what they’re used to (and everyone else is trying it!). Search for some strange recipes online or unusual foods the next time you go to the store and vow to try them as a family. You might be surprised by what you end up liking.

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54. Make a Family Cookbook (Ages 6+)

Write down or type up the recipes you’ve experimented with as a family and create your own family cookbook. You can keep it for yourselves or make copies to share with other loved ones.

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55. Host a Make-Your-Own Pizza Night (Ages 3+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Host a Make-Your-Own-Pizza Night
“Kids making pizza” by trenttsd is licensed under CC BY 2.0

What kid doesn’t love pizza – especially when it has their favorite toppings on it? Throw a pizza night for the family with an assortment of toppings and sauces for everyone to make their own creations. Then, have everyone try a bite of each other’s pizzas to judge!

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56. Cook with Family Members on Video (Ages 6+)

With all the technology around us today, it’s easier than ever to connect with family members who live far away. One way to bond with them might be with cooking. Schedule a video call with Grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, and anyone else you want to visit virtually. Select a recipe to make together and you can watch each other and chat while you cook.

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57. Have a Backyard or Living Room Picnic (All Ages)

There’s no reason to always sit at the dining room table to have a meal. Go outside the box and have a picnic with your little ones – indoors or outdoors. Set up a picnic in the backyard or do it on the living room floor. The kids will love doing dinner a little different.

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58. Experiment with Cookie Recipes (Ages 8+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Experiment with Cookie Recipes
“Kids In The Kitchen Making Cookies” by Joe Shlabotnik is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

So many cookies, so little time! Baking is a true science, requiring you to mix just the right amount of several ingredients together to create something yummy. Pick a type of cookie and experiment with different recipes for that cookie to see what combination of ingredients and amounts works the best.

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59. Make Homemade Butter (Ages 4+)

Back in the day, you didn’t buy butter in a store; you made it in your home. Blast into the past with your kids and make your own yummy, creamy butter to enjoy on toast or in recipes. They might be surprised by how easy it is.

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60. Paint Your Food (All Ages)

Turn your food into an art project with edible paints that you can use to add eye-catching color to your breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It might even help fussy eaters get a little more excited about what’s on their plate if they’re allowed to paint on it.

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61. Make Your Own Trail Mix (All Ages)

Trail mix can be a collaborative food to make in the kitchen because there are so many different ingredients to put in it. Have everyone select a few picks to add to a family-sized trail mix, or let everyone put together their own bags. If you get stuck for ideas, try the recipes below for inspiration.

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62. Have a Silly Family Dinner (Ages 4+)

It can sometimes be hard to get your kids talking at the dinner table if they’ve had a tough day at home or school. Try having some fun with dinner by adding in a new table-friendly activity that gets them laughing and smiling again. You can keep it as simple as taking turns telling jokes or go a little bigger by using (clean!) hands to eat spaghetti.

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Outdoor Activities

63. Have a Scavenger Hunt (Ages 5+)

Your backyard can be the perfect spot for an exciting scavenger hunt with the family. Jot down some things for everyone to search for, like a squirrel, a large leaf, or a red flower. Keep going until you’ve hunted for everything on your list.

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64. Make a Splash with Water Toys (All Ages)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Make a Splash with Water Toys
“Hannah on Slip ‘n’ Slide” by camknows is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Playing with water has so many benefits for kids of all ages, including building coordination, enhancing science and exploration skills, and boosting sensory skills. Plus, water play is an excellent way to enjoy time outdoors together – and it’s a whole lot of fun. Play with a water table, soak in a small pool, or try some games or sports with water balloons instead of balls.

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65. Fish in the Backyard (Ages 3+)

Are the kids not quite ready for regular fishing? There’s no need to leave the backyard with this adventurous activity. Just set up a kiddie pool (or make your own), add some toy fish or other small toys, and have a blast trying to catch them all. This activity is perfect for young kids who are working on building hand and finger strength.

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66. Find Pictures in the Sky (All Ages)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Find Pictures in the Sky
“Clouds” by kndynt2099 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Lay down on a blanket and look up at the clouds together (you might want to wear sunglasses). What do you see? Are the clouds forming any pictures? This activity is the ultimate way to unwind and get some fresh air with the family.

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67. Gather Objects from Nature to Use for Crafts (Ages 3+)

Head outside to gather materials that you can use for crafts when you go back home. Acorns, flowers, sticks, leaves, and even grass can all become a part of your next art project – and you don’t have to go to the store to buy anything.

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68. Set Up a Car Wash (Ages 4+)

Adults may not love washing cars as much as kids, but when you get the whole family in on this watery and soapy task, it turns into a lot of entertainment for everyone. Wash the family’s bikes and vehicles or set up a car wash for the neighborhood in your driveway on a warm, sunny day to cool off.

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69. Make an Obstacle Course (Ages 3+)

With a good size yard, you can create an awesome obstacle course that challenges everyone in the family. Most children should have a goal of being physically active for at least 60 minutes a day.1 An obstacle course will most likely keep everyone engaged and focused on competing for much longer than an hour without even realizing it.

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70. Have a Treasure Hunt (Ages 6+)

You can hide something special in the backyard, like a reward coupon book or a small treat, and use an adventurous treasure hunt for your kids to find it. Give them clues that have them searching the garden, garage, porch, and other outdoor areas until they reach their final destination.

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71. “Paint” with Water (All Ages)

With a bucket of water and various paintbrushes and tools, you can turn a sidewalk, driveaway, porch, or even the siding of your home into a work of art. Dress in your swimsuits and get outside to “paint” with water. When the sun dries up your creations, make something new.

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72. Go Bowling (Ages 6+)

You don’t need a fancy bowling lane to bowl together. Instead, use your driveway, a sidewalk, or a grassy area to roll a ball and knock down pins. This activity can work with a variety of objects you already might have, like aluminum cans for pins and tennis balls as bowling balls.

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73. Make a (Safe!) Campfire and Tell Stories (Ages 5+)

Make a “campfire” using a pile of firewood and wrapping a bright string of LED lights around it. Then, spend the evening “camping” outside! You can tell camp stories, sing songs, and eat yummy snacks, like S’mores and trail mix.

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74. Play in the Rain (All Ages)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Play in the Rain
“rain boots & autumn leaves – _MG_4509” by sean dreilinger is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Put on your raincoat and boots and go play in the rain with your kiddos. Jump through puddles, make mud pies, or dig in the mud. Your little ones will love doing something so out of the norm.

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75. Bury a Time Capsule (Ages 6+)

Preserve your family’s memories with a time capsule that you fill up now, bury in the backyard, and open in a year or so. Everyone can add a few things they want to remember to the family time capsule and enjoy reminiscing when it’s time to reopen it.

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76. Watch the Sunset and Sunrise (All Ages)

Do you ever wake the kids up early to watch the sunrise or step outside while the sun sets to watch it go down? If not, try it. It’s not just beautiful, but it’s also relaxing. You can grab some blankets and lie down as you watch or play some games that are perfect for sunrises and sunsets.

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77. Feed the Birds (Ages 4+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Feed the Birds
“Final touches to his bird feeder” by Derringdos is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Put some bird feeders around your home to attract beautiful birds in your yard. You can sit outside while you eat breakfast together and watch the birds munch their breakfast, too. DIY bird feeders come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes, including the tried-and-true toilet paper roll covered in peanut butter and bird seed. See what you can gather around the house to turn into a bird feeder or try the tutorials below.

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78. Document Plant Growth (Ages 6+)

If you have plants growing in your garden – herbs, veggies, flowers, or even weeds – you can use them to teach the kids how plants grow. Every few days, take them outside with paper and a pencil or marker so they can draw or write down the changes they see in your plants. Have they gotten taller? Changed color? They’ll be fascinated by the quick changes they notice.

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Health and Fitness Activities

79. Declare a Technology-Free Day (All Ages)

Reducing screen time can keep your kiddos more physically active and engaged with the world around them.2 Some families try a screen-free week to allow a bit of a “detox,” but if that’s too much to commit to, you can stick to just one day instead. How many of the activities on this list can you squeeze in?

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80. “Hike” Your Backyard (All Ages)

Put on your hiking gear and “hike” your yard! Use binoculars to spot birds and other critters nearby. Collect a few plants you find. Count how many clouds you see in the sky. Pretend that your backyard is a wonderland just waiting to explore.

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81. Do Yoga Together (All Ages)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Do Yoga Together
“Family yoga!” by Different Seasons Jewelry is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Yoga stretches your body to help you become more flexible, burns calories, and relaxes your mind, so it’s an excellent activity to do with kids. Get them interested in yoga by participating in the action and finding kid-friendly yoga workouts you can all do together.

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82. Have Fun with Family Workout Videos (All Ages)

When you work out with your kids, you’re showing them that anyone can do it and that it’s necessary for everyone. And working out is way more fun when you have a partner! You can find virtually endless free workout videos for families on YouTube, but below are a few family-friendly workout routines you can try now.

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83. Create a Relaxing “Spa” in Your Home (Ages 4+)

Everyone needs some pampering once in a while, and setting up a home spa is a great way to get it. Make DIY face masks, try a bath bomb recipe to soak in the tub with, and create a playlist of relaxing music to listen to and find your zen.

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84. Have a Jump Rope Contest (Ages 4+)

Jumping rope burns calories and helps kiddos build their coordination while staying active. Have everyone spend several days practicing their jump roping skills. Then, throw a jump rope contest on the weekend. You might have contests with different age groups to make it fairer for little kids.

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85. Do Breathing Exercises Together (Ages 4+)

Mindful breathing can relax you and help you refocus.3 Learning some new breathing techniques together can benefit both you and your kids! Before you begin, explain to your child why mindful breathing can help them feel less stressed and when they should use it. Then, learn a few techniques to find your favorites.

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86. Make Up a Daily Workout Routine (All Ages)

Following other workout videos with your kids is great, but they might find it even more exciting when they have a say in the kinds of exercises they do. Have everyone choose a few of their favorite exercises to add to your family’s daily workout routine. Create a few family workouts that you can rotate between once in a while to keep things fresh.

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87. Make Healthy Smoothies (Ages 5+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Make Healthy Smoothies
“Pineapple Smoothie” by Emily Carlin is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

How creative can you get in the kitchen with ingredients you already have? Smoothies are super adaptable for all taste buds, and they can be really healthy with the right ingredients. They’re also helpful for ensuring that picky eaters get their daily servings of healthy fruits and veggies! Find healthy smoothie recipes on blogs or Pinterest, or experiment with your own goodies.

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88. Make a “Sport of the Week” (Ages 4+)

Are there lots of sports your children love or want to try? Make a “Sport of the Week” for your family! You can spend the week focusing on that one sport. Learn the rules, practice, and challenge each other to games. The following week, have someone pick a new sport to learn about and enjoy. This is an awesome way to try an unusual sport you probably never would’ve tried otherwise.

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89. Turn Chores Into a Workout (Ages 3+)

Chores don’t have to be mundane tasks for kids. When you turn them into an active workout, they can be enjoyable (gasp!). Dance while you vacuum or turn your family clean-up list into a friendly competition. Plus, your new version of chores are sure to get the kids more excited about cleaning up their rooms.

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90. Track Your Steps (Ages 6+)

One way to motivate your kids to stay active is to turn your steps into a family competition. Many pedometers are affordable, but you can also use free fitness apps on phones or tablets to track steps. Add up everyone’s steps each day, and see who has the highest total at the end of the week. Whoever wins at the end of the week gets a reward!

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Games and Competitions

91. Design Your Own Board Game (Ages 4+)

Board games are fun for the family, but they’re even better when you make your own. Use some of your favorites to inspire you. Then, break out the paper, markers, and small toys to create a new one with your kids. Make sure you write down the rules so you don’t forget them when you want to play again.

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92. Have a House of Cards Competition (Ages 6+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Have a House of Cards Competition
“House of Cards” by peterjroberts is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Who can make the biggest, coolest house of cards before they topple over? This friendly competition can go on for hours, depending on how many card decks you have. Don’t forget to take pictures of your creations before they fall!

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93. Try a Wind Race (Ages 8+)

A wind race can use a variety of materials, as long as you’re getting stuff moving with wind. Not only can this be a fun competition to challenge each other with, but it’s also an excellent way to pull in some science experimentation. How much wind do you need to make something move?

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94. Have a Cooking or Baking Challenge (Ages 8+)

Host a cooking or baking challenge for the family right in your kitchen. Have everyone make the same meal or require that they use the same ingredients to create something unique. One of you can be the judge and declare a winner, just like they do in cooking competition TV shows.

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95. Play “Would You Rather…” (Ages 4+)

The game of “Would you rather…” is one that the younger crowd loves, especially when it gets super silly. Example: “Would you rather ride to school on an elephant or play soccer with a kangaroo?” And it doesn’t require anything extra to play, so it’s perfect for passing the time whenever you want to do it.

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96. Have a Board Game Marathon (Ages 4+)

Gather up your favorite family board games (maybe even the ones you created!) and spend an afternoon enjoying them all. You might even keep track of the winners for each game to give the leader a special prize at the end.

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97. Host a LEGO Building Contest (Ages 5+)

101 Fun Activities to Do with Kids at Home: Host a LEGO Building Contest
“LEGO ‘Build The Future’ Activity (201011010007HQ)” by NASA HQ PHOTO is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

When given a box of LEGOs, your child can probably come up with all kinds of cool stuff to build! LEGO is perfect for opening the floodgates of imagination, and a family competition can bring out the creative side of each of you. If you all want to participate, you might video call with another family member when you’re done and have them judge the winner.

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98. Make a Floor Maze (Ages 4+)

Use the floors of your home or go outside to make a maze in your yard. Who can get through it the fastest? You can keep track of everyone’s time on a piece of paper. Then, have each person try to beat their old score. If you don’t have a lot of floor space to spare, you can do this on a smaller scale. Make a toy-sized maze for the kids to navigate their toys through!

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99. Play “Minute to Win It” (Ages 6+)

“Minute to Win It” is a popular TV game show where a team of two completes challenges in 60 seconds or less to move onto the next level. Each level gets a bit harder. You can mimic this in your home by creating your own one-minute challenges for you and the kids to try together.

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100. Have a Family Game Night with Kahoot! (Ages 6+)

A lot of teachers use Kahoot! in their classrooms to play trivia games with their students. But you can also use it at home with the kids if you each have your own device (you can play on a computer, tablet, or phone). Create your own games or find ones that others have already made and get ready for a fun night of trivia!

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101. Have a Paper Airplane Competition (Ages 6+)

Can you make a paper airplane that flies down the hall or across the front yard? Whose can go the farthest? There are lots of ways to tweak a paper airplane to help it glide better, so keep experimenting. Then, have a family competition to see who built the best paper airplane.

Try it together:

The activities above just scratch the surface on all the things you can do at home with kids! From crafting and creating to experimenting and competing, we hope this list inspires you to try some new activities as a family.

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How much physical activity do children need? Cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm. Reviewed October 7, 2020. Accessed January 25, 2021.
  2. Nemours Children’s Health System. Limit use of TV, computers and mobile devices. Healthykidshealthyfuture.org. https://healthykidshealthyfuture.org/5-healthy-goals/reduce-screen-time/. Accessed January 25, 2020.
  3. Children’s Health. Childrens.com. Breathing exercises for kids. https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/breathing-exercises-for-kids. Accessed January 25, 2020.

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