Schools are letting out, and the temperatures are starting to rise. That means summer’s on the way—and that you’ll be looking for fun things to do with your family. Whether it’s a day trip, a weekend get-away, or a week-long family vacation, you’ll need a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of “real life.” You’ll need time to connect.
The question is How?
Fun Family Activities
Since families are made up of individual people with individual opinions, finding that sweet spot where everyone agrees on things to do with the family can be a challenge. If that’s where you are right now, check out the 14 ideas below.
Go Camping
Nothing says “family time” quite like experiencing the great outdoors together. And the great thing is, camping can fit almost any timeframe. Whether you’re spending the night in a tent, a weekend in a pop-up camper, or a week “glamping” in a not-so-rustic lodge, you’ll be making memories. You’ll also find time to talk about important things in life.
Game Night
I have three kids who are grown and married. And, for the most part, all of us love playing board games. So, on our family vacations or during those times when we’re finding things to do as a family, a little friendly competition is going to be on the menu. Mix in some laughter, some memories, and a playlist in the background for a guaranteed recipe for fun.
Serve a Neighbor
It might sound outside the box, but nothing says your fun family activities have to focus only on your family. You can dedicate a day or a weekend to serving folks in need and being the hands and feet of Jesus in their lives. It might involve serving a widow from your church through yardwork or baking cookies for some folks in an assisted living facility. You could offer to babysit for a young couple who really needs a night out. The options are endless, but the impact can be eternal.
Plan a Scavenger Hunt
This idea works for one family unit, but it also can be great for family reunions and other larger gatherings. And it’s so simple. Just make a list of landmarks or familiar sites around your city. You could even add in a few wildcards to make it challenging (like a cat in a tree or a tow truck pulling a car). Give each team a copy of the list and directions on how to submit photographic evidence of their discoveries. Once everyone meets back, let the stories begin!
Visit a Historic Site in a Nearby State
Honestly, school field trips are going to cover most of the museums and popular landmarks in your area. So, you may need to branch out to other states to find something new. Again, this is an idea that can last a day, a weekend, or even an entire week. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, see how many you can hit on a single family vacation. Your family will learn a lot and get the benefit of spending quality time together.
Plan a Family Book Club
If your kids have summer reading responsibilities, this could kill two birds with one stone. But even if they don’t, reading the same book as a family can be a lot of fun. You’ll have to make sure your selection is age appropriate, but it will be interesting to hear how family members process the pages differently. This can be a fun thing to do with the family, especially if you can’t make a family vacation work this summer.
Learn a New Skill Together
You might have heard of couples taking cooking classes or art classes together to strengthen their marriages. Well, the same can work for entire families. It could be as simple as painting pottery together during a day trip or taking a class that lasts for several weeks. Again, the key is strengthening relationships by sharing a fun family activity.
Plan a Family Mission Trip
A family that serves together grows closer together. You could serve a day at a homeless shelter across town or join your church for a longer event in another state. The length of the ministry isn’t nearly as important as the chance to work as a team and to take everyone’s focus off themselves for the benefit of others.
Plan a Progressive Event
A few years ago, my family planned a progressive dinner for my birthday. We had appetizers at one restaurant and the main course a different place. We also had dessert at a local ice cream shop and included a fun family activity (in this case, bowling) to cap off the evening. You could do this at home or take a night out of a family vacation to make it happen. Allow each member of the family to pick one part of the progression so everyone feels involved.
Have a Low-Budget Shopping Spree
Here’s another idea from my family’s personal experience. One Christmas, our children’s minister gave each member of our family a gift card to a local department store. Each family member drew a name and had the task of spending their gift card on things for their person. We hit the store and circled back to exchange our gifts an hour or so later. It was fun to see how creative people got with the limited resources they had—and how much thought they put into getting something just right for their special person.
Plan a Family Bible Study
An earlier idea focused on a family book club, but this one emphasizes the spiritual discipline of studying the Bible. Even if your crew has regular family devotion times, you can find other Bible studies geared for the whole group. If you’re not in the habit, this could be a good way to jumpstart that practice in your home.
Experience an Escape Room Together
Over the past few years, escape rooms have grown in popularity. And, since most require a certain number of participants, doing it as a family can be a fun family activity. In addition to focusing on teamwork, trying to solve the mysteries behind each room and escape before the clock runs out builds confidence and makes memories that will last a lifetime.
Go to the Movies . . . At Home
I had a friend once tell me that she waits for movies to hit streaming services because the popcorn tastes better at home. While I’m a fan of movie popcorn, I understand her point. It’s not just the snacks that matter. The fellowship and quality time with family makes all the difference in the world. And even if you don’t have a streaming service, you can still find some great options in the bargain bin of many stores or borrow a classic from the public library.
Run or Walk a 5K as a Family
Granted, the race itself will only take an hour or so of your time, but that really should be the cherry on top. In other words, don’t just run together. Train together in the days leading up to the event. And, since many races also serve as fundraisers for good causes, you can talk as a family about which event to enter. It’s a great way to get healthier while supporting an organization that is close to your family’s heart. For example, my daughter has Type 1 diabetes, so we have participated as a family in several fundraising walks that raised money for research.
Make the Moments Matter
When is a family vacation more than just a family vacation? When it becomes a fun family activity that changes the way your family members see one another and the world around them. You can start with the activities listed above and adapt them to fit your context. You could add ideas to the list, like day trips to the zoo or a family miniature golf tournament. You could even work together to write and perform your own family play.
Unlike the friendly days of summer, the possibilities for fun things to do with your family are endless. Whatever adventure your family decides to chase, remember that time together is the common denominator. Making sure those moments matter should be the ultimate goal.
That’s how memories are created and how family legacies are built.
