Imagine it’s a Saturday morning. The kids are playing in the other room and you’re just about to pour yourself another cup of coffee. Everything is going according to plan when suddenly, you hear the dreaded words, “I’m bored.”
Let’s face it, sometimes entertaining your energetic family can seem like an impossible task. No matter how many toys and games they already have, the boredom blues always seem to strike when you least expect them. So, if you’ve found yourself hunting for new, exciting, and family-friendly activities, don’t worry! We are here to help!
From at-home crafts to thrilling zipline and kayak adventures, this list of 26 Activities and Ideas will keep your family busy all day long. The best part? You can join in on the fun and create lasting memories with your kiddos!
1. MAKE HOMEMADE SLIME
Did you know that playing with a ball of slime can help your kids relax, build motor skills, and promote independent playtime? It’s also incredibly easy to make from home! All you’ll need is a bottle of white school glue, baking soda, saline solution, and food coloring. Make it extra fun by folding in sensory items like glitter, plastic beads, or slime foam balls!
2. SWIM LIKE A MERMAID
Who hasn’t daydreamed about being a mermaid? With these one-of-a-kind swimming packages, all of your kiddo’s underwater dreams will come true. Splash into an unforgettable day and watch as your kids flip their colorful tails through the water. The icing on the cake? Your child will get plenty of exercise and be ready for a nap by the time you get home.
3. PADDLE A KAYAK
Treat your kids to a different kind of water activity with these kayak and paddling experiences! Choose from a variety of family-friendly trips and explore sea caves, city harbors, or discover the magic of bioluminescence. No matter where the day takes you, your family will have a blast paddling through gorgeous waters.
4. GET CREATIVE IN THE KITCHEN
Share the magic of cooking with your family! Pick out your favorite recipe or cook something new. Not much into cooking? Consider booking an online class with the Jamie Oliver Cooking School! Your kids will interact with top chefs and create mouthwatering dishes including homemade pasta, street tacos, sausage pizza, and more.
5. BUILD A HOMEMADE BIRD FEEDER
Treat your backyard birds to a delicious snack! Bird feeders are fun to make, and you can use a variety of materials including plastic bottles, old teacups, and even orange peels! For a simple design, consider coating pinecones in peanut butter and bird seed. After placing your feeder outside, see how many different species you can spot!
6. VISIT A FARM
Perfect for the animal-loving kiddos, farm visits are a fantastic way to get outside and teach children about agriculture. With these farm tours, your family will interact with adorable farm animals, learn how food is grown, and so much more! Don’t live near a farm? Consider starting an at-home garden with your child instead.
7. FISH FOR THE BIG ONE
Imagine standing at the edge of a lake while your family casts their fishing lines into the water. Suddenly, one of your kids feels a tug at the end of their line. Their eyes light up as they bring in the biggest bass fish you have ever seen. If this sounds like an incredible day, then you won’t want to miss these guided fishing trips!
8. CREATE A FAIRY GARDEN
Fairy gardens are a wonderful way to spark your child’s imagination! Using a small garden container, create a one-of-a-kind home for the fairies that visit your backyard when no one is watching. Our favorite fairy garden accessories include mini plants, colorful stones, and cute figurines. Add some magic to your garden by sprinkling on a layer of shimmering glitter!
9. GO TO THE MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM
With these Museum of Ice Cream passes, you’ll enter into a world of color, magic, and of course, ice cream! Open year-round, the museum features vibrant and interactive exhibits inspired by one of the world’s most popular desserts! During your visit, you can swim in a giant sprinkle pool, indulge in unlimited ice cream treats, and more!
10. HAVE A MAGICAL TEA PARTY
Dress up, brew some delicious tea, and gather around for a whimsical tea party! Invite your child’s friends or simply have a party with their favorite stuffed animals. For a truly enchanting experience, don’t miss this Wizard’s Afternoon Tea adventure. Perfect for families, this bewitching Potions class combines science, tech, and molecular gastronomy to concoct two spellbinding teas!
11. PLAY IN A TRAMPOLINE PARK
For the ultra-energetic kiddos, there’s no better way to spend the day than in a trampoline park! Watch as your kids bounce, jump, and play on wall-to-wall trampolines. After an hour or two of intense, action-packed fun, they’ll be ready for a nap!
12. EXPLORE AN AERIAL ADVENTURE COURSE
Your kids will never forget the day that you took them out to a zipline and aerial adventure course! They’ll be equipped with all the necessary safety equipment before climbing high into the air. Watch in awe as your kiddos complete exciting obstacles like log bridges, swinging platforms, rope ladders, and more. Feeling adventurous? Join in on the fun!
13. SKYDIVE IN A WIND TUNNEL
Children as young as three years old can experience the thrill of Indoor Skydiving! Treat the whole family to an epic, high-flying day of fun – no planes or parachutes necessary. Your kids will have a blast as they float, fly, and freefall inside a high-powered wind tunnel. Be sure to bring your phone and take lots of photos!
14. TIE-DYE T-SHIRTS
Transform one of your child’s plain white t-shirts into an eye-catching masterpiece! Simply fold and curl the shirt into your desired shape and secure it with rubber bands. Then, let your child choose their favorite shades of dye and carefully saturate the fabric. Your kiddo’s eyes will light up when you unravel their vibrant creation!
15. GO TO A SPLATTER PAINT STUDIO
These Splatter Paint Room Experiences are perfect for kids who love to make a mess! Equipped with protective gear, you and your family will step into a one-of-a-kind paint studio. Flick and fling colorful paint onto a blank canvas…or even each other!
16. HAVE A GLOW IN THE DARK PAINT PARTY
Sure, painting is fun, but have you tried it under a black light? Turn your kitchen into an incredible glow-in-the-dark studio by simply replacing your lights with special black bulbs. Your child’s imagination will run free as they cover their canvas with strokes of hot pink, electric yellow, and lime green paint!
17. TEACH THEM HOW TO RECYCLE
With plastic waste at an all-time high, it’s important that we teach our children about the importance of recycling. Start by constructing a homemade recycling bin and show your kids which items can be recycled, and which ones cannot. Take it one step further and create a compost bin or try your hand at upcycling!
18. EMBARK ON A SCAVENGER HUNT
Who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt? To complete this exciting, family-friendly hunt, all you need is your phone! Simply download the app and get ready for a wildly fun day. You and your kids will have a blast completing wacky challenges, deciphering riddles, and exploring your neighborhood!
19. DIG IN THE DIRT
Ditch the playground sand digger and surprise your kids with this incredible excavator experience! Using a joystick-style hand control, kids as young as two can push the excavator’s bucket into the sand, scoop up dirt, and dump it back out. They'll be digging, smiling, and laughing all session long!
20. FLY KITES
Perfect for those breezy days, flying kites is a great way to bust boredom and get outdoors. Choose to buy a kite or try your hand at creating one from scratch. Once outside, start by standing with your backs to the wind. Then, hold up your kite by its frame and let the line out. Watch in awe as your colorful kite soars through the air!
21. GO HORSEBACK RIDING
Grab your cowboy boots and gallop into an unforgettable horseback riding adventure! Your kids will enjoy connecting with their horse while exploring breathtaking landscapes. You’ll feel relaxed as you ride under the bright sun and listen to the clip-clop of horse hooves. This is one adventure that your entire family will love!
22. MAKE HOMEMADE BATH BOMBS
Bath time has never been so much fun! With this all-inclusive kit, everything you need to create fun and fizzy bath bombs will be shipped to your front door. Together, learn how simple ingredients like baking soda and citric acid combine to form a fun bath accessory. You can even customize your bath bomb’s color and add in mini toys to make it more fun for your family.
23. CREATE AN ECOSYSTEM IN A JAR
If your child loves science, then this fun and easy activity should be at the top of your list! All you have to do is grab an empty jar and visit a local pond, lake, or stream. Gently fill your jar with water and scoop up a few rocks and plants, too. You won’t believe your eyes as microscopic critters begin to dart through the water. See how many different species you can spot!
24. BUILD A ROCKET SHIP OUT OF CARDBOARD
Pretend that your kids are space cadets preparing for an epic lunar mission. Just when you thought they were all set to go, you realize something is missing: their rocket ship! Use your imaginations and transform a cardboard box into an interstellar aircraft. Once complete, countdown their launch and send them off into an intergalactic adventure.
25. EXPLORE THE CITY
With these incredible GoCity Sightseeing Passes, exploring America’s cities has never been easier! Your family will gain access to the city’s top attractions and save money while you play. Visit an amusement park, explore a zoo, or step inside a fun museum. The choice is yours!
26. MAKE AN ‘I’M BORED’ ACTIVITY JAR
As we mentioned earlier, the boredom blues can strike when you least expect them. Be prepared by creating an ‘I’m Bored’ jar with your child. Simply sit down together, write down your child’s favorite activities on slips of paper, and put them in an empty jar. Every time they feel bored, have them pull an idea from the jar!
After reading this list of 26 Activities and Ideas for Kids, we hope your child’s boredom is a thing of the past. Looking for even more family-friendly adventures? Don’t miss out on these unique gifts and experiences for kids!
