Fun Ideas for Your Family Are as Close as Your Backyard

The United Nations’ International Day of Families on May 15 is all about celebrating family life and shining a spotlight on the important role families play in our communities. It’s a good reminder to appreciate and not take for granted the people closest to us. What kinds of things does your family like to do together? If you’re looking for some fresh inspiration, here are some fun, any-age activities to do at home or farther afield.

Get cooking. Kids love whipping up cakes, cookies and other culinary delights in the kitchen. What I loved most about my childhood kitchen adventures wasn’t mixing, measuring or kneading ingredients, however, but licking the cake batter and eating the leftover cookie dough from the bowl after the hard work was done.

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Watch movies all day (or night) long. Why not have a movie marathon? You might like to choose a theme for your film fest (like classic family flicks, movies about superheroes or animated films) or allow each family member to include a favorite in the viewing schedule.

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Camp out in the backyard. Camping in your yard has its perks. While it may not deliver a true wilderness experience, you and your family will still be able to sleep under the stars, toast marshmallows and enjoy other fun aspects of camping, without the hassle of driving or forgoing the creature comforts.

Take a Summer Vacation in the Backyard


Is it too cold or rainy to camp out in the yard? Pitch a tent, put up a teepee or build a fort indoors so the whole family can enjoy an adventure out of the elements.


Connect with your loved ones. What better way to celebrate the International Day of Families than by touching base with loved ones who live in another city, state or country?

Plan a family Skype date, give your relatives a call or bring the clan together by hosting a barbecue or casual dinner at your home.


Head out on a road trip. Love exploring new places? Why not pack up the car, buckle everyone in and hit the road? When deciding where to go, you might choose a spot you’ve always wanted to explore but never had the chance to. Or if you want a true adventure, let a family member close their eyes and point to a spot on a map and — voila! — you have your destination.

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Get crafty. Give your little ones some colored pencils, paint, glitter, glue, pipe cleaners, cardboard and other craft-time essentials and they’ll be entertained for hours. And there’s no reason you can’t roll up your sleeves and get in on the creativity too.


Turn Off the Video Games and Turn On Your Kid’s Creativity


Challenge your family to a game tournament. Is someone in your family a card shark? Monopoly master? Ace table tennis player? Then it sounds like an all-day games tournament might be right up your alley. Choose a selection of games suitable for young and old alike. You can’t go wrong with classic card and board games and family-friendly video games. When it’s time to move the tournament outdoors, little ones will love tag or hide-and-seek, while bigger kids will get a kick out of playing a game of croquet or touch football.

Simple Pleasures: Game Night Done Right


Take up a family-friendly hobby. Another great way to spend quality time with your family, while having loads of fun, is to find a new hobby that everyone, young and old, will enjoy. Some ideas include creating a family blog, going fishing or taking up photography. If the whole clan agrees on becoming hobby photographers, there’s no need to invest in fancy camera equipment — just use your smartphone, which most youngsters can operate.

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Donate your time to a worthy cause. Why not dedicate some time to giving back to your community? Lending a hand to a worthy cause can bring you and your family joy. You might consider volunteering at your local community center, helping elderly neighbors or visiting an animal shelter to care for abandoned dogs and cats that, unlike this happy hound, don’t have loving families.

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Tell us: What fun activities do you like to do with your family? Share your ideas in the Comments.

More:
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Decorating for Children: How Your House Can Support Creative Play

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