- Frisbee Golf. All you need is a frisbee, some laundry baskets, and a big yard or park.
- YouTube Night. This is a family favorite of ours. Everybody takes turns sharing a handful of favorite videos. (One of mine is Marcel the Shell.)
- Power Outage. Have your very own power outage by unplugging everything, lighting some candles, and hanging out with favorite books or stories.
- Fort Night. Built a fort together with sheets and blankets.
- Tag-team Cake Decorating. You'll need a cake, frosting and decorations, and a stopwatch. Every person gets 15 seconds to decorate before another person takes over.
- Library Day. Go to the library and stay for (at least) a couple of hours.
- Museum Time. Most museums offer free days for families or students. Look into local options and take advantage.
- Archive Adventure. Pull out old family videos and slide shows and enjoy a walk down memory lane.
- Crazy Hair Salon. Gather hair styling supplies (lots of hairspray) and take turns in the chair getting a crazy makeover. Be sure to take photos.
- Park Hop. You probably know one or two local parks, but what about the ones just beyond your neighborhood? Go exploring and visit new parks a little further away.
- Upcycle Crafting. Get out your craft supplies and raid the recycling bin to create something new.
- Rock Toss. Find a local lake, river, or canal and practice the fine art of skipping rocks.
- What's In Store? Many big chain craft and hardware stores offer fun and free mini classes, usually on Saturday mornings.
- Talent Show. String up some Christmas lights to create a stage and invite a group of friends to put on a show.
- Voicemail Makeover. Get creative and make new voicemail messages for everybody's phones.
- Flea Market Finds. Draw names and give each person a fixed amount of money ($1 works great) to find a perfect gift at a local flea market or garage sale.
- Fan Yourself. Show up at a local skate park or ball park and give the players a surprise cheering section.
- Create a Soundtrack. Take turns playing DJ while creating personalized playlists for each person in the family.
- Go Fishin'. Did you know that many states offer free fishing days?
- Book vs. Movie. Read a book as a family, then watch the movie version together and decide which you like best. (The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is a favorite.)
- Get In The Way. Create your own obstacle course in the house or yard and race each other through.
- Imaginary Restaurant. Create a special bistro in your kitchen, complete with menu, table decoration, wait staff. Serve each other or invite guests.
- Go Treasure Hunting. If you enjoy adventure, it's time to start geocaching.
- Take a Hike. Fall weather and changing colors are two good reasons to strap on your hiking boots.
- Mix It Up. Make breakfast for dinner and eat it on the floor or outside; use a projector to watch a movie on the ceiling; switch bedrooms for sleeping. It's mixed up and such fun!
25 Budget-Friendly Family Activities
I'm a long time believer that family fun doesn't have to cost a fortune; sometimes it just takes a little inspiration! I've put together 25 fun (and mostly free) activities to enjoy as a family, with friends, or at a party.