We are in the middle of winter here, and it gets long…especially without any sporting events to attend. But we have been enjoying incredibly warm weather for this time of year, so we have been able to enjoy some fun, winter activities outside. Nevertheless, I know the deep freeze weather is going to hit at some point, and we’re going to have to come up with some fun, indoor activities to do as a family.
Family movie night is our go-to, because our children really have very little screen time, overall. But family-friendly movies are hard to come by, especially when trying to include a seven-year-old, and a sixteen-year-old! So, sometimes, we need to go beyond family movie night and do something a little more exciting.
Also, with so many children spending way too many hours in front of a screen right now due to distance learning, I highly recommend making something other than family movie night your go-to for family time! Having some screen-free family fun is more important now than ever.
But how do you make family time a priority when there are no restaurants to go to, outdoor opportunities are limited either by the weather or by state lock-downs, and your children are all going stir-crazy from looking at screens all day?
First of all, be intentional about having fun together as a family.
There are two keys to actually making this happen:
- Put family night on the calendar. If it’s on the calendar and everyone is expecting it, you’ll be much more likely to follow through.
- Have a lot of ideas on hand and the supplies you need for them. If you don’t have to do a lot of planning and preparing, you’ll also be more likely to follow through.
It also helps if you challenge yourself in some way. For example, last June, we completed a 30-day family-fun challenge and it was awesome! We were intentional about it and we made many lasting memories with our children. It was a lot of work on my end, but it was, by far, one of the best investments of my time.
Setting a few goals and expectations will help you to be more intentional about adding fun family activities to your schedule.
So, are you ready to make memories too? Let’s dive in!
Fun activities for indoor, screen-free family fun
- Karaoke Night—
Yes, please! Seriously, with karaoke tracks galore on YouTube, you don’t need a fancy machine to have all kinds of family fun! We sing all the time in this family, but we have never intentionally held a karaoke night.
We do have a Bluetooth microphone that is, I’m sure, DYING to be used, but if you don’t have something like that, bust out that turkey baster and try not to die laughing!
(Seriously, I sing into a water bottle or hairbrush all.the.time in the van, as long as I’m not driving. Be silly with your kids!)
My husband is such a good sport about these things and it makes all the difference. If you can, do your best to get your husband to join in. It makes a world of difference on the level of participation you get from your family, especially if you have teenagers. They might go along with it if they see how much fun everyone is having.
And if you’re really into performing, make it funny! Don’t actually try to give your best America’s Got Talent audition, lest the rest of your family feel intimidated.
Also, this does not have to be limited to karaoke. Maybe you have a shy guy and this is truly not fun for him. Find a job for that child—tech support, sound, judge, etc. or maybe he wants to show off a hilarious hidden talent (yes, armpit farting counts on family fun night!)
If your family is a little more dramatic, give each child a character and a story to play. Or, encourage your child to come up with a character and a story on his own. Interview your child like he or she is auditioning for AGT, giving some back story first.
This will also allow for comedic relief for those who are embarrassed about participating as it gives the opportunity for your more reserved kids to play the role of someone else instead.
- Rubber Band/Nerf War—
Maybe I grew up in a weird family, or maybe, I just had the most fun parents in the world, but we often had rubber band fights, and they were almost always started by my parents.
I remember being too young to shoot rubber bands without snapping my own finger…HARD! So, my dad would take me with him and protect me. We ducked on the sides of couches, behind furniture, and ran around the house trying to get the best shots off while trying not to double over from the pain of belly-laughing.
One time, as an adult, I was in a small group and one of the “ice-breaker” questions was, “What is one of your best childhood memories?”
And even though my parents saved for years to take us on a three-week-long road-trip that included Disney Land, and we spent a lot of time doing things together as a family, THIS was the memory I shared! Rubber band fights!
Remember, you don’t have to do anything huge to create memories with your family. Just take the time to do it and be intentional about having fun together!
- Garbage Dinner—
Years ago, a gal I knew shared that on Christmas Eve, her extended family gathered to have what they called, a “garbage dinner.” Basically, everyone brought an appetizer dish for a potluck-style meal and that was their meal.
Some people (those who loved being in the kitchen) went all out, probably stuffing wontons, making Crab Rangoon. Others threw some little smokies and barbecue sauce in a crockpot and called it a day!
No matter what options there were, it was a meal that was out of the ordinary, which is what made it fun!
Obviously, when you’re the mom, you’re probably the one making all the appetizers, so take it down a notch in the expectations you put on yourself. Maybe just make three different things that are pretty easy. Keep it simple, but still out of the ordinary.
Your kids can help make pigs in a blanket. You can throw some nacho cheese in a crockpot for nachos, and then you could make some small triangle sandwiches, or roll-ups. The whole point is just to have some fun with your mealtime and do something different!
And yes, for this one night, you can throw nutrition and healthy eating out the window. One night once in awhile will not kill your children! Make it fun!
- Construction Party—
Sharpen your construction skills and have some fun as a family all at the same time! You can choose your medium—actual wood and nails; popsicle sticks and glue; Lego blocks; or Play-Doh.
On a side note, if you’re a mom who does not usually allow Play-Doh, get some and surprise your family! It is so cheap and it will create a lasting memory! (You can also find MANY recipes to make your own. This play dough recipe is my favorite.)
You can do this several different ways:
- Choose a structure that each person needs to build as a challenge and see what everyone comes up with.
- Write down several different types of structures on slips of paper (skyscraper, house, barn, etc.) and each family member draws one out of the hat and proceeds to build that structure.
- Allow every family member to freestyle. Everyone can build what he or she wants and show off the creations as they happen.
You can take this as seriously as you want to as a family. I have a nephew who would probably work at his structure all night if given the opportunity and a challenge. My children probably won’t stick with it too long, but will have fun anyway.
Most of it will depend on how much effort my husband and I put into it. Parents set the tone for everything. If we take it seriously and give it a lot of time and detail, our kids will try to as well. If we laugh and show off our big mistakes, our kids will laugh too.
Seriously, I’m not trying to beat a dead horse here, but parents pretty much ALWAYS set the tone for family fun. If you’re having fun, your kids will too!
- Ugly Outfit Contest—
Ugly sweaters aren’t just for Christmas! Shake things up by seeing who can come up with the ugliest outfit to wear to dinner!
You can do this family activity a few different ways as well.
- If you live near a Goodwill, or other thrift store, you can extend this activity into a shopping trip. Each family member can draw the name of another family member. Set a budget and allow another family member to choose the ugliest clothes they can find for the next one. The person who receives the outfit must wear it to dinner!
- Having someone else choose the outfit may cause a conflict. If you foresee this happening (I do in my family!), allow each person to choose his or her own ugly outfit. The key is that it should be something they would not normally wear and that others will think is hideous!
- If you don’t have a thrift store nearby, you can shop your own closets! We all have clothing items that we haven’t “bonded” with. Create an ugly, or ill-fitting combination of clothes from your closet, or your give-away box. If you have children who are close to the same sizes, mix and match from each other’s closets. While your husband’s hoodie may look fine on him, it might make an ugly hoodie dress for your daughter!
There are no rules! Just see what everyone comes up with and be sure to take lots of pictures! If your kids are really enjoying it, be sure to have a fashion show!
Again, the amount of fun you have will probably be determined by how silly you are willing to be, so go all in! Otherwise, it’s simply not worth the effort!
Final Thoughts on Indoor Family Fun
Having fun together as a family is absolutely necessary to your child’s healthy brain development and well-being. It develops a sense of security and boosts your child’s self-confidence. Hear me! This is worth the time and effort it takes to make it happen! Your child’s mental health will be affected positively and, well, who doesn’t need some of that right now?
Our children are growing up in unprecedented times, with so much going on in the world! Even my seven-year-old is aware of the general feeling of stress people are under right now.
Imagine what our children must feel like! It’s time for them to be kids again. It’s time for our children to get to play and laugh and be silly. Guess what! It’s time for us to have some fun again too!
I would love to challenge you to throw yourself into having fun with your family again…even just one night per week! Plan one fun, family activity per month! Your family will thank you for it…eventually, but seeing those smiles and hearing those belly laughs will fill you with the energy to keep going!
It doesn’t have to be something fancy or Insta-worthy. It does not have to be photographed and posted. In fact, please don’t! Just be in the moment with your family. If you want to take pictures, of course, do so, but not to post on social media. Just do it for you and for your children. Keep it simple and keep it focused…on those who truly matter—your family!
RElated: Quick and Easy Family-Fun Activities