9 Fun Things to Do At Home

Things look a little different than we’re used to right now and we’re spending a lot more time at home with our families. With this extra time at home, you probably have your list of go-to family-friendly activities to keep you and your kiddos entertained - blowing bubbles, watching TV, baking together, coloring and so on. But, what can you do next when you’ve gone through all of these go-to’s? Don’t worry - we have 9 other ideas for fun things to do at home with your family. 

From backyard activities to a twist on movie night, these boredom busters are sure to put a smile on the whole family’s faces. Keep reading to learn about all 9 fun ideas. 

1. Plan a backyard picnic

Springtime is the perfect time for picnics! So for our first fun thing to do at home with family, take a break from mealtime at the dining room table and plan a backyard picnic to enjoy a meal in the sunshine. Go for the full experience by spreading out a blanket, packing a basket, and making picnic classics, like pasta salad, fried chicken (chicken nuggets will do in a pinch), fresh-cut fruit and lemonade or sweet tea.

2. Indulge in a family relaxation day

Everyone could use a little extra relaxation, right? Start your day of relaxation with some fresh air and a calming stroll around the block, followed by some light stretching or yoga. Then, mix up some refreshing fruit smoothies or nutritious yogurt parfaits. 

Next, it’s time for an at-home facial with a mask. For little ones, a bit of mashed avocado makes a great, all-natural mask. And don’t forget cooling cucumber slices for your eyes! But, if you would rather save the avocados for mealtime, you can pick up hydrating, purifying and detoxifying facial masks at your local Food Lion! Also, a warm washcloth or towel to lay across your face is a great way to open up your pores. 

Your kids might also enjoy getting their nails painted, as well. So, grab your nail polish and let your little one choose their color. And, if they’re old enough, let them paint your nails too. 

3. Set up a video chat ice cream social

Reach out to friends or family and pick an evening to enjoy an ice cream social together through video chat. After dinner, set out a few flavors of ice cream, as well as toppings, like sprinkles, chopped walnuts, chocolate syrup, whipped topping and cherries, and let the family make their own sundaes. 

At the same time, encourage the people you’re video chatting with to make their sundae as well so that you can all have a shared experience. Then, gather at the table with your phone or tablet to “hang out” while everyone enjoys their ice cream creations.

4. Upgrade movie night with a make-your-own popcorn bar

Cuddling up on the couch for movie night is a great way to de-stress after a long day. Set out a bowl of plain or lightly salted popcorn and smaller bowls of mix-ins. You can have items that are savory, like shredded cheese, peanuts and sunflower seeds, as well as sweet items, like mini chocolate chips or candies, gummy bears and cereal. 

The whole family can have their own personal bowl to make their customized popcorn masterpiece to munch on during the movie.   

5. Set up a “snack store” 

This fun thing to do at home with family is both entertaining and educational! Pick an area of the kitchen to set up a “store” that features the kids’ favorite snacks. Individual packages of crackers or cookies, juice boxes, gum, fresh fruit and fruit snacks are just a few ideas. 

Place a little sign by each snack with its price, and then give each child a few dollars to “spend” on the snacks of their choosing. You can be the cashier, or, if age-appropriate, let the kids take turns ringing each other up. This provides a fun learning opportunity about budgeting, making choices while shopping, and making change with smaller bills and coins.

Tip: To encourage healthy snacking, make the more nutritious options cost less or let them be free.

6. Organize a kids’ art show

Turn your hallway into an art gallery! Ask the kids to choose some of their favorite drawings, paintings or crafts from the past few weeks and let them hang them up on your walls with paint-safe tape. Each child can have their own special area to display work. Don’t forget labels with the title for each piece of artwork, and perhaps for older kids, an artist’s statement. 

Once the show is ready, create a party with refreshments, juice and snacks to celebrate and enjoy their colorful art pieces. 

7. Hold a board-game tournament

The friendly competition of game night is even more entertaining if there’s something at stake! Decide on a tasty treat as a grand prize — maybe a dessert item, like a candy bar or package of cookies, a bag of popcorn or another family favorite treat. 

Then, pick a few games, or play multiple rounds of one game, to hold a tournament and see who emerges as the winner.

8. Have a campfire

If you have space to safely do so, set up a fire pit in a corner of the yard for a campfire (no tents required!). Roast marshmallows for s’mores, and dream up new combinations beyond the classic. For instance, try s’mores nachos, use different types of cookies in place of graham crackers, swap in other candy bars in place of the milk chocolate bar, or add other toppings, like bacon, potato chips, fresh berries, or a swipe of peanut butter or chocolate hazelnut spread. 

And while you’re enjoying your gooey treats, sing some favorite camp songs, tell scary stories, or simply star-gaze!

9. Use the grill in unexpected ways

Mild spring evenings are a great time to fire up the grill. Not only does this provide a nice escape from the kitchen, but getting everyone outdoors in the evenings means the kids will be extra-ready for bedtime. 

Burgers and hot dogs are an easy supper, but the grill can do so much more! You can use your grill to make lots of family favorites, like pizza, roasted chicken, quesadillas, grilled cheese and other panini-style sandwiches. You can even grill up halved peaches or slices of pineapple, which are amazing for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

With a few ideas for fun things to do at home up your sleeve, staying-in can be even more enjoyable for the whole family! Need to pick up a few things to prepare? You can count on your local Food Lion to have the food, household and beauty items you need at low prices.