I know it sounds simple, BUT cardboard boxes and markers!! Have you ever had a bulk order and it comes in one of those huge boxes? SAVE THE BOX! Kids can turn them into hours of fun and not only does it keep them entertained, but it also encourages creativity and independent play. Plus, it gives you enough time to get dinner going!
An activity I saw online and had to try out with my kids was the “Collect the colors”. They had a blast with this one! If you are doing homeschooling like we are, we turned it into a fun lesson on color theory. All you need is paper, crayons, tape and nature!
Rock painting is a simple and creative activity that kids (and adults!) can enjoy together. All you really need are some smooth, clean rocks, acrylic paint in a variety of colors, and a few paintbrushes. To make painting easier, keep a cup of water and some paper towels handy for rinsing and drying brushes between colors. If you want to add extra details, paint pens or fine-tip markers work great. For a fun twist, try adding googly eyes or glitter glue. (Here’s a more simple rock art that my kids did for Father’s Day)
One that everyone loves and also helps us get outdoors to get some sunshine is drawing with chalk! There’s nothing overly special about this activity but it’s fun to do as a family and feels nostalgic for most of us parents.
If you’re looking for a craft that’s both fun and educational, mini terrariums are a wonderful choice. They’re hands-on, keep kids engaged, and give them a sense of responsibility as they care for their tiny plants. Plus, they’re creative — kids can decorate with little figurines, moss, or colored sand — and the finished terrariums make cute decorations around the house. It’s a craft that combines learning about nature, fine motor skills, and creativity!
Cloud Dough is a quick, inexpensive craft that doubles as a calming, creative activity. They can squeeze it, mold it, and create all kinds of shapes, and it’s a great way to get some sensory play in and can even be used as a mini science lesson about textures! All you need is flour and oil and can add things like natural food dyes for color and kid-safe essential oils for scent.
For a fun and magical Salt Painting activity, you’ll need heavyweight paper, white glue, table salt, and liquid watercolors or diluted food coloring. Kids start by drawing shapes, lines, or patterns with glue, then sprinkle salt over the wet glue, shaking off the extra. Using a brush, dropper, or straw, they gently touch liquid colors to the salt and watch the colors spread like magic. Once dry, the artwork has a unique 3D texture and vibrant colors. This craft is a mix of art and science, encourages creativity, and gives a fun sensory experience that kids love.
Family fun
Have a movie night!
A simple and cheap way to have fun with your kids is to do a family movie night! We like to set up air mattresses in the living room floor (if you don’t have air mattresses making a pallet out of blankets works great too!) and put on a movie that we will all enjoy and make some popcorn with sweet treats too. Sometimes, we will even start early by eating our dinner in the living room floor together and starting our first movie. This is one of our favorite things to do as a family!
Explore Together
Fun Family Activities Await
Here you’ll find cute little crafts and activities!
Explore Together
Family time is important, even the small moments. It’s what they will remember forever.
