This post was originally written during the COVID pandemic, when parents everywhere were suddenly trying to figure out how to keep their kids entertained at home. While life has thankfully changed, one thing hasn’t: kids still get bored.
Whether you’re stuck inside because of rain, school breaks, a sick day, extreme weather, or you’re simply trying to cut back on screen time, these are still the activities my family comes back to again and again. They don’t have to be expensive or elaborate, they just have to get everyone off the couch and into quality time together.
Increase Family Time
Life moves so fast. And the majority of the time my daughters are tucked in their rooms, almost to the point I forget that they’re home. That’s why I’ve learned to be intentional about creating time for us to simply be together.
Some of our favorite memories haven’t come from expensive vacations or elaborate plans. They’ve come from movie nights in our pajamas, board games spread across the dining room table and homemade popcorn. Those are the moments my kids talk about long after they’re over.
Family time doesn’t have to be perfectly planned or Pinterest-worthy. Order pizza instead of cooking. Build a blanket fort in the living room (my daughter’s favorite), bake cookies from a box mix, or from scratch, have everyone choose a favorite game or take turns picking a movie. Trust me, you’ll come to appreciate the small things.
When my kids know we have a family night coming up, they all look forward to it in different ways, but my 8-year-old gets especially excited. It gives us something to anticipate together and creates space for conversations that probably wouldn’t happen if everyone stayed glued to their screens.
Try This, This Week
- Family movie marathon
- Build a blanket fort
- Cook dinner together
- Bake cookies
- Family game tournament
- DIY pizza night
- Indoor scavenger hunt
- Dance party
- Puzzle challenge
- Read together
- Family karaoke
- Paint each others nails (for us girls 💅🏾 )
- Create a Family Time capsule
Don’t Forget Local Adventures
One of the easiest ways to break up the routine is by exploring your own community. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars or drive hours away to create a fun day with your kids. Sometimes the best adventures are right in your own backyard. Or someone else’s 🤭.
Whenever we start to feel restless, I try to find something simple that gets us out of the house. It might be an afternoon at the park, a local festival, or even trying a new ice cream shop we’ve never been to before. The change of scenery alone can do wonders. So, the next time you hear, “I’m bored”, look around your own town first. You might be surprised by how many memories are waiting just a few minutes from home.
Try This, This Week.
- Visit your local library.
- Explore a museum or visit an arcade.
- Go bowling.
- Try mini golf.
- Visit the zoo or aquarium.
- Attend a farmers market.
- Explore a new playground.
- Find a local festival.
- Go to a pet store or animal shelter and play with some pups!
Get Outside Every Day
Never underestimate what a little fresh air can do for everyone’s mood.
Whenever my kids start getting restless, one of the first things I suggest is simply heading outside. We don’t always have a destination in mind. Usually it’s just a trip to the park or letting the little ones collect rocks, leaves, and flowers along the way.
One thing I’ve learned is that our children don’t need a perfectly planned adventure to have fun. Give them a sidewalk and a piece of chalk, a ball to kick around, or a playground to explore, and they’ll usually create their own entertainment. Let heir imaginations do the rest.
Some of my favorite memories with my babies, I’ve noticed, have come from the simplest moments: watching them race each other, stopping to admire flowers, or laughing as they insisted on bringing home “treasures” they found along the way. Those little adventures often end up meaning so much to me.
If your family has been spending a little too much time inside lately, don’t overthink it. Lace up your sneakers, grab a water bottle, and head outside. You might be surprised how quickly fresh air turns an ordinary afternoon into a good day.
Try This, This Week…
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt.
- Have a picnic at your local park.
- Ride bikes around the neighborhood.
- Draw with sidewalk chalk.
- Fly a kite.
- Play catch or kickball.
- Visit a playground you’ve never been to.
- Take a family nature walk.
- Collect leaves, rocks, or flowers for a craft.
- Watch the sunset together.
- Splash in sprinklers.
- Backyard obstacle course.
- Garden together.
- Go bird watching.
- Cloud watching.
- Wash the car together.
Encourage a New Hobby
One of the best ways to keep kids entertained is to help them discover something they genuinely enjoy. Hobbies don’t just fill time—they build confidence, encourage creativity, and give children something to look forward to long after the day is over.
I’ve realized that each of my kids naturally gravitates toward something different. One loves being creative, another enjoys making jewelry or doing makeup, while my youngest is happiest with pretty much anything he can get his hands on. Watching their interests develop has reminded me that there’s no “right” hobby, it’s all about finding what sparks joy for your child.
The best part is that hobbies often grow into lifelong passions. What starts as a rainy afternoon activity could become a skill your child carries with them for years to come. And even if it doesn’t, you’ll still have spent quality time together making memories, and that’s never time wasted.
Try This, This Week
This should focus on skills and creativity.
- Painting
- Photography
- Journaling
- Bracelet making
- LEGO building
- Sewing
- Learning an instrument
- Baking
- Origami
- Home projects
- Start a Family Scrapbook (I’m actually starting one now!)
Parenting has taught me one thing: kids can turn a five-minute activity into three hours… and somehow turn a three-hour activity into five minutes. Either way, these are the kinds of days that break up the routine and remind us to simply enjoy life. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have LEGO pieces to pick up, Monopoly money to count, and a toddler who’s convinced his gardening gloves give him Sonic speed.
If you try one of these activities with your family, I’d love to hear which one becomes your favorite. Leave a comment below or tag me on social media so I can see your adventures!
Now go make a memory. The dishes can wait.
Thanks for doing life with me.
– Lexi 🤍
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