Chuck these fun ideas onto the things-to-do-before-the-kids-get-too-old-and-start-liking-their-friends-better-than-you checklist. And get ticking!
The kids aren’t getting any younger. And neither are we. But these fun family bucket list activities are sure to keep everyone young at heart.
How many can you cross off your own family bucket list?
Around the house
1. Indulge in a movie marathon
2. Give them full access to your make-up drawer and shoe collection
3. Do a family screen detox (no screens of any sort for an entire weekend)
4. Serve ice cream for breakfast (add pancakes and blueberries to the plate to relieve the guilt)
5. Build a blanket fort (and sleep in it)
6. Have an all-day pyjama day
7. Play hide ‘n seek in the dark
8. Build something together
9. Write and post a letter in the mail
10. Let them read you a bedtime story
11. Play Minecraft with them (or at least try to without losing your mind)
12. Stage a puppet show
13. Get a pet (even if it’s just a fish)
14. Teach them how to play a musical instrument (even if it’s just ONE song)
15. Take some decent family photos
16. Introduce them to the joys of family board games
17. Bake and decorate cookies
18. Let them decorate their bodies with temporary tattoos
19. Build a city out of LEGO
20. Make a volcano out of baking soda and vinegar
21. Do a family karaoke night
22. Let them make you breakfast in bed
23. Paint a family picture
24. Bake a cake from scratch (and let them lick the bowl)
25. Host a dress-up tea party
26. Donate old toys and clothing to charity
In the backyard
27. Wake up early to watch the sun rise
28. Draw on the sidewalk with chalk
29. Run through the sprinkler
30. Add dishwashing liquid to the trampoline and let them bounce among the bubbles
31. Plant something in the backyard (and watch it grow)
32. Pitch a tent and sleep in it
33. Watch the stars come out at night
34. Have a water fight
35. Make a fairy garden
36. Jump in muddy puddles
37. Stage a treasure hunt
38. Race water balloons down the driveway
39. Have a Nerf gun fight
40. Play in the rain
41. Jump into a pile of freshly raked leaves
42. Carve your names into a tree (or into wet concrete)
Outdoorsy adventures
43. Go boating
44. Swim under a waterfall
45. Ride your bikes to school
46. Roll down a hill
47. Fly a kite
48. Make a mud pie
49. Go spotlighting (or take a nature walk at night)
50. Go snorkelling
51. Feed the ducks
52. Roast marshmallows on a fire
53. Explore a rock pool
54. Try boogie boarding
55. Pick fruit straight from the tree
56. Build an epic sand castle (and then let them jump on it)
57. Frolic in the waves at the beach
58. Slide down a super muddy hill
59. Play cricket at the beach
60. Catch a butterfly in a net
61. Climb a tree
62. Catch a fish (or attempt to)
63. Build a fire (well, watch you build one)
64. Dig for worms (and dinosaur bones)
65. Pick wildflowers (and give the bouquet to mum)
66. Have a rock skipping contest at a creek
67. Look for fairies at a botanical garden or park
68. Collect shells at the beach
69. Throw a snowball (or build a snowman)
70. Hike up a mountain (or a big hill with a nice view)
Travel escapades
71. Travel on an plane
72. Go to an island
73. Visit a different country
74. Ride a train
75. Take a family cruise
76. Take a road-trip
Out and about
77. See a play or show
78. Visit a museum (bonus points if it contains art)
79. Go to a (child-friendly) concert
80. See a sports game live
81. Take each child on a ‘one-on-one’ date
82. Watch a fireworks show
83. Visit a farm
84. Try roller skating (or ice skating, even)
85. Take in a drive-in movie
86. Eat something that they can’t pronounce
87. Ride a rollercoaster
88. Get lost in a maze
89. Go to your state fair
90. Buy something locally at the markets
91. Play mini golf
92. Brave the water slides
93. Go horseback riding
For special occasions
94. Throw a surprise birthday party
95. Let them stay up til midnight on New Years’ Eve
96. Carve a pumpkin for Halloween
97. Take a family photo with Santa
98. Watch the kids trim the tree (and resist the urge to tell them where the ornaments go)
99. Build a gingerbread house
100. Look for Easter eggs in the backyard
101. Call in sick for school and work and stay home (just once)
So there you have it – 101 family bucket list ideas to try with the kids this weekend. If you’re looking to venture outside the backyard, then check out these ultimate travel destinations.
