Fun Family Activities – over 35 unique ideas

On my Instagram I’m always getting messages about how active my family is because it seems like we’re constantly doing something. That’s what sparked me to compile a list of our fun family activities – over 35 unique ideas. They are tested and true, by my family, fun activities for the entire family to get out and spend time together – while exposing the kids to new and different things.

As I write this post we have a 1 ½ and a 5 ½ year old. But that doesn’t mean these ideas are for people with younger kids only. It’s more of a if-we-ca-do-it, so can you thing! Let’s be honest, sometimes we make excuses about how our kids stopping us from doing stuff.

This list is also great for people who don’t have kids! And for you fellow Southern California folks, I’m working on putting together SoCal specific location list for you as well.

Before we dive into the list…let’s go over some ground rules. Just remember, your kids can handle going out and so can you. I know there are exceptions to everything so I’m talking in broad terms here. 

GROUND RULES

• Hype it up
  • Make it seem super cool
  • Get your kids excited to do the activity
• Suck it up
  • I grew up by these terms. If your kids are whining during the fun, tell them to stop
  • Seriously. Suck it up, it’s one day of your life
• Be positive
  • Yes, the thought of doing new things might be overwhelming but be positive
• Prepare
  • Pack snacks, take a stroller, get everything ready to make your life easier
  • Maybe even pack PJs if you’ll be there late
• Be realistic
  • It might be crowded, parking might suck, and stuff might go wrong – so just make sure you’re being realistic with your expectations 
• Push yourself
  • So you’ve never been to a flea market or tasted Korean BBQ. OK then, it’s time to push yourself. Discover new things and share the moments with your family
• Combine activities
  • Pick a few different things from each category and combine it for a super fun, packed day
• Have fun
  • I know I just dished out some hard love but the most important thing to remember is to have fun
  • LET GO – RELAX – HAVE FUN

Family Fun Activities – Over 35 Unique Ideas

The to do list has been divided into the best categories I could figure for each. Let me know if you have any more suggestions or end up doing something off the list! And remember, use Google. The internet is a large place just waiting to tell you what new event is going on around you.

Here are the Categories:

• Food
• Explore
• Seasons
• Shopping
• DIY
• Outdoors
• Kids
• Standards

Here’s the downloadable PDF of the list:

FOOD

Food is always a good idea and expanding your little ones taste buds, while it can be trying, is always a smart. And remember, don’t just go to the usual spots…you’ll see what I mean!

• Head to your local regional airport
  • Eat at the cafe while watching the planes take off – how cool is that
  • We prefer to eat breakfast 
• Grab some coffee and a fun treat only
  • The kids can get a lemonade or hot chocolate, you don’t have to eat a full meal when going out
• Go to a fancy hotel
  • Eat a full meal or just grab drinks, a snack or dessert
• Yelp a new place to eat
  • Trying new foods is fun
  • Drive a little further for a new experience
• Eat breakfast or lunch out
  • It’s cheaper than dinner
• Dessert out
  • Look for a unique dessert or fun ice cream shop

EXPLORE

This one is my favorite. My husband and I are explorers at heart. Trying all the new things, exploring different cultures and just stepping out of our comfort zone is something every person should do.

We’re Muslim guys. I wear a hijab! So you know I’m like the only hijabi in the room every time but I DON’T CARE. Don’t let anything stop you. Go explore.

• Explore your city
  • Always wanted to try some place to eat or wonder what a store sells? Then go inside the store
  • Search for recurring events: art nights, farmers markets, etc…
  • Drive around the downtown area until you find something
  • You’ll surprise yourself every time
• Find a festival or fair
  • You can go through your city’s website, Google, Facebook 
  • These tend to be super family friendly
• Attend different cultural events
  • Not Chinese but curious about the Chinese New Year? Find a celebration! Go see what it’s about and expand your horizons
  • There are so many events for everyone’s cultures that it’s high time you go and learn while having fun
• Walk around a hotel
  • Find a fancy or historic hotel in your area
  • Walk around, explore go have a snack or a drink – I’m telling you your kids will think it’s so cool to get a special snack
  • Cooler hotels tend to be in the city, near the beach, a lake the mountains, etc…
• Karaoke 
  • Why the heck not?
  • Kids love singing baby shark…

SEASONS

Search for seasonal things to do. Every season has special events. Head to your city, and the surrounding cities’s website to see if they’re hosting anything.

• Fall
  • Corn maze, pumpkin patch, fall festival
• Winter
  • Christmas events, holiday markets, A light festival like: Festival of Lights
• Spring
  • Flower blooms, cultural events, insect fairs
• Summer
  • Farmers markets, night markets, fairs

SHOPPING

You don’t have to buy anything. Have your kids point out different things they like. Help them build their own style and opinions about things. That’s a life lesson there y’all.

• IKEA
  • They have a kids play area where you can drop them off for an hour – my daughter loves it
  • Now you get to go wander around by yourself, enjoy
  • Everyone knows you have to grab lunch in their cafe
• Thrift store, antique store or a flea market
  • It’s cheap for them to pick up a little something
  • Most markets have music and food 
  • Everyone can learn about old things and how life used to be
  • Not sure how to thrift, check out How to Thrift for Home Decor
• The mall
  • Everyone does it. It’s a good stand-by for Friday nights or just brainless time walking around
  • We have outdoor malls here in Southern California
• Shop and support local stores
  • We always end up finding little shops who gladly welcome your entire family
  • Remember by shopping local, your supporting your community

DIY

Can’t find anything that suits you? Low on cash? Want to be creative? Try these do-it-yourself items. Plus, it’s always great to get your kids to create items and be proud that they made something themselves.

• Host your own party
  • Make your own fun
  • Invite people over for a breakfast potluck – breakfast recipes
  • Host a family brunch, get inspiration from my summer brunch
  • Host a family playdate
• Wash your car and let the kids help
  • Water and bubbles, plus the end result of a clean car sounds good to me
  • Blast the music
  • Make it a race to see who can wash the tires the fastest 
• Go to a park & pack a picnic
  • Hit up Trader Joes before and get some snacks
  • Make some macaroni & labne
  • Pick a shady place with a playground
  • Bring a kite
  • Bring a few games & balls
• Learn how to cook & bake
  • Kids needs to know how to make food too
  • Be patient
  • Cook up some tasty meals together
  • Bake some sugar cookies and decorate them
  • Watch kids baking TV shows to encourage them
• Start a project
  • Paint that dresser you’ve always hated
  • Not sure what supplies you’ll need? Head over to my DIY Starter Kit
  • Paint a lampshade – seriously 
• Craft
  • Creativity is super important
  • Melt some crayons into fun shapes
  • Paint a coffee can into an owl
• Home Depot
  • Once a month they host a craft for kids – and it’s free
  • They also host adult classes too
  • Buy an indoor plant, here’s what to choose, and teach the kids how to take care of it, here’s how to water it

OUTDOORS

Vitamin D does a body good and kids always dig the outdoors. Literally, my son digs in the dirt but that’s what life is about! Yes, you might be dirty and sweaty but all of that is good for you. So go outside.

• Go camping
  • We love camping and yes, you can do it with toddlers and kids
  • Check out my family camping checklist first
  • And if you’re in Malibu, I’ve got a place for you
• Hike
  • Head out early in the morning when it’s cooler
  • Pack snacks & water
  • Plan a point along the hike to stop for a snack, this helps the kids with a goal during the hike
  • Go out with other families, more kids actually mean less complaining and more teamwork
• Find a cool park
  • Yelp or google parks
  • Make the drive if it’s a cool park – why not
• Go to a nature center
  • Let the kids learn about nature
  • Typically geared towards kids
• Find an arboretum or garden
  • They typically have signs and materials so the family can learn about nature together
  • Family-friendly trails and make sure to pack a snack

KIDS

Do you just need a place to have the kids run around without you entertaining them? This is your list. A list where you put in minimal effort because you’re tired and your kids aren’t.

• Kids play place
  • Might as well have them run around and get all the energy out
• Coffee store
  • There are some with small play areas for the kids
• Kids museums
  • It’s made for them

STANDARDS

The good ‘ol standbys that everyone likes. These typically cost more money but almost everywhere runs promotions for discount admission, so search first.

• Go to a museum
  • Learn about everything
• Go to a zoo or aquarium
  • There are animals, enough said
• Go to a theme park
  • Those are fun
• Go bowling
  • Bumpers for everyone
• Go to a theater and watch a play
  • Musicals are always a good idea
• Go to the movies 
  • Try a drive in
• Go skating
  • Ice or roller
• Find an arcade
  • We love Dave & Busters and old-school ones
• Go see a game
  • Baseball, football, soccer, basketball…

Now go have some fun and let me know if you try anything new!