Looking for things to do with kids? Maybe you want to introduce your kids to new experiences and broaden their horizons. Maybe you’re just tired of your same old weekend routine. Whatever your reason, our list of fun things to do with kids should help inspire your next family outing.
A sea of connected trampolines, giant foam pits, and activities such as dodgeball will knock out any excess energy the kids have. And obviously, it’s the rare adult who doesn’t delight in bouncing alongside them.
Bowling is high on our list of things to do with kids. Why? Because with bumpers and bowling-assist ramps, there are options for every ability level, not to mention beer for the adults and pizza for the kids.
Is it easier (and cheaper) just to buy the knick-knacks? Of course, but that’s way less exciting for kids. Indulge your kid with a day of tokens, games, tickets, and prizes at an arcade. It’s an especially fun outing if they don’t often play video games at home.
Visiting the zoo is about more than just looking at cute animals and watching a Mold-A-Rama machine fabricate a souvenir out of bright plastic (yes, Mold-A-Ramas still exist). It’s about teaching kids about animal care and conservation, as well as introducing them to different environments around the world.
Educational activities disguised as playtime? We’d say that’s a win for both kids and parents. Children’s museums are particularly good at encouraging multisensory play through such activities as painting, dress-up, and block building.
Don’t hesitate to take your child to a regular museum—so many of them offer programs and exhibits designed for younger visitors. For instance, The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has an adorable baby chick hatchery, and the California Science Center in LA has a solar-car-racing exhibit.
We’re not saying to fully sign your kids up for a new organized sport. Rather, have them try said sport out to see if they like it. That might be something as simple as taking them to the batting cages or as involved as signing them up for a month of martial arts classes.
Enjoying a cold scoop of ice cream (blue moon, perhaps?) outside on a hot day is a simple pleasure for all ages. But if you really want to wow the kids, treat them to a novel frozen dessert, such as colorful Hawaiian shave ice or fish-shaped Japanese taiyaki.
Want to command the attention of your little one for 3+ hours? See which kids shows are touring near you, whether it’s a show on ice or the circus. It could even be something as easy as an afternoon of sing-along music at a community event center.
This is definitely the easiest of all the things to do with kids. That’s because for two hours, your kids are sitting in their seats, engrossed in a movie. Make it extra special by springing for some popcorn or candy to share.
With their whimsical obstacles, miniature waterfalls, and colorful golf balls, mini golf courses are magical places for kids. And, there’s no better feeling for a kid than getting that first hole-in-one or beating their siblings in a competition.
Pack a cooler of sandwiches and spend a few hours with the kids wandering the trails of a local nature preserve. If it’s later in the year, escape to a warm conservatory, where kids can see different species of plants and bask in the humidity. Hint: dress up and take a family photo while you’re there, there’s no better backdrop!