10 Fun Activities to do With Kids

Looking for some fun activities to do with the kiddos? Check out these tried and true activities that are sure to make you a big hit.

Go Exploring

Hiking, bug finding and treasure hunting all at the same time. This has always proven to be a great way to get out of the house with no shortage of excitement. Fun for all ages and allows your kids to burn off some of that energy while exploring.

Things You Might Want to Bring:

• Food and Drinks. I like to plan for a mid-hike lunch. Sandwiches and graham crackers are quick and easy.
• Mason Jar. Punch some holes in the lid before you go. My five year old son loves to check out the different bugs along the way.
• Metal Detector. Treasure hunting adds a whole new level to our hike, turning it into an adventure! There is nothing quite as exciting as finding treasure in your exploration and is a great opportunity to teach them about history!
• Small Shovel. Used to unearth your treasure. A small handheld shovel works great.
• Camera. Great time to capture some memories! Consider bringing a kid friendly camera, my kids love taking pictures along the way.
• Sun Block. Just a friendly reminder.
• Clothing. Dress them appropriately. I like to bring extra clothes just in case.

Go to the Zoo

Great way to get out of the house and keep the kids entertained. I like to treat it as an educational tour as well; spending time answering questions and teaching them about the different animals and their environments.

Things to Bring:

• Food and drinks. You’ll want to call ahead and see if your local zoo allows outside food and drinks.
• Camera. Great time to get some pictures with the kids.
• Sun Block. Self-explanatory and often overlooked.

Take Them Ice Skating

I was hesitant to take them at first, worried about potential injuries. However, this has been something they have really enjoyed and talk about often. I learned that my local ice rink carries “ice walkers”, (basically a kid version of an elderly walker). This helped them learn without fear of falling and helped me juggle two kids on the ice without having to hold their hands the entire time.

Things to Bring:

• Warm Clothing. Nothing worse than miserable kids that are cold.
• Food and Drinks. My local rink doesn’t allow outside food and drinks, so I generally eat before or after we go.
• Camera. Great opportunity to capture a special memory they’ll likely talk about often.
• Helmet. My five year old son is fearless. If you don’t have one, most rinks have rentals.

Build a Fort

Fun idea for when you’re stuck inside with stir crazy kids. Take this time to get down on the floor with your kids and have some fun. My kids love this and it doesn’t cost a thing. We have even spent the night in our fort, although my back killed me the next day, fair warning.

Things You’ll Need:

• Space. Find a space in your house you don’t mind getting a little cluttered.
• Boxes, Blankets, Couch Cushions and Chairs. These are the items that we have used in the past.
• Imagination. We pretend we’re camping out in the wilderness, my daughter is a fan of a crawl through pretend restaurant. Get creative and have fun!

Take Them Swimming

With younger kids this can be a little scary, especially when you have more than one to look after. The safest bet for me was the YMCA. They have kiddie pools and lifeguards. I also spend some time showing them the basics of swimming.

Things to Bring:

• Food and drinks. I’ve heard that swimming on a full stomach can make you sick, so we grab food afterwards.
• Clothing. I put the swimsuits on at home and some light clothing over the swim suits. I found that to be easier than changing at the pool.
• Waterproof Sun Block. Required if you’re swimming outside, the sun reflecting off the water can cause sun burns fairly quickly.
• Towels. I forgot about this before and had to deal with some shivering kids when we got out of the pool.
• Floaties and Goggles. This is optional and will depend on the swimming level of your kids.

Start a Garden

Another great opportunity to spend some quality time with your kids. My kids love playing in the dirt and really enjoy this. I spend time teaching them about gardening and give them the responsibility of watering their garden. It has proven to be a daily activity they love to do.

Things you’ll need:

• Garden Space. This can be as simple as some flower pots and soil.
• Plants. I chose to purchase some hardy tomato plants.

Board Games

Great family fun and a chance to teach them about rules and taking turns. I try to save this activity for rainy days and in the evening when it’s time to be indoors. We started a running tally of wins in Candyland and it has added a competitive angle my kids really enjoy.

Things you’ll need:

• Board Games. This will be age dependent. In my case Trouble, Connect Four, Candyland and Sorry are big hits for my five and six year old.

Start a Band

You’d be surprised what kind of instruments you can make from random items around your house. Great time to get silly with your kids and build some arts and crafts.

Things you can use around the house:

• Microphone. We like to decorate a paper towel roll and tape a ball of tinfoil on one end.
• Noisemaker. Toilet paper or paper towel roll, some dry beans, piece of paper and tape.
• Drums. Can be as simple as a box, or pan. Can also make a pretty good one using a bucket, duct tape and a balloon. Cut the smaller end of the balloon off and stretch the latex over the bucket and tape the latex in place.

Take Them Bowling

It used to be that bowling alleys were filled with smoke and not the best place to take your kids. However, more and more bowling alleys are becoming family friendly and offer smoke-free environments. Make sure to call ahead and find out the smoking policy before heading out. Great for younger kids too, as most bowling alleys offer bumpers and ramps for beginners.

Things to Bring:

• Bowling Gear. Just about all bowling alleys have everything you need available for rent, but if you plan on going often you may want to invest in the gear.
• Socks. Sounds like a given, unless you’re me and show up at the bowling alley in flip flops.

Take Them Fishing

This is one of my favorite activities, but does require some patience on your part and the kids. Start out at a local pond you know is stocked with fish. My kids attention span dwindles quickly when fish aren’t biting.

Things to Bring:

• Food and Drinks. Sandwiches, snacks and some water bottles work great.
• Fishing Tackle. Just need the basics; hook, line, sinker and some worms.
• Sun Block. Don’t forget!
• Camera. You’ll need proof of those big whoppers you catch!
• Fishing License. Check your local laws; depending on age, your kids might not need a license, but you will.
• Fishing Poles. I opted to buy the kid's version, with the push button casting.