15 Fun Inexpensive Family Activities to Do this Weekend

Spending time with family is invaluable. It helps us strengthen bonds, enhance our mental health, promote a healthy and active lifestyle, and ultimately leads to greater overall happiness and satisfaction with life. While there are countless ways to enjoy each other’s company, many traditional activities come with a hefty price tag and require extensive planning and effort. But fear not, I am here to help you plan your next family adventure on a budget that your loved ones will adore.

Here are 15 fun inexpensive family activities that you must try with your loved ones.

1. Picnic in the Park

Plan a day filled with fun and delicious foods in your local park or a nearby outdoor spot.

• Make a list of items you need to bring, such as a cozy blanket, favorite snacks like sandwiches, pasta, salad, chips, drinks, plates, napkins, and a garbage bag.
• Spread out your blanket, set up your food and drinks, and enjoy a tasty picnic together.
• Make your day extra fun with games like frisbee, badminton, capture the flag, bubble blowing, tug of war, etc.
• End your day lying together watching the sunset and having some heartfelt conversations.

2. Backyard Camping

Turn your backyard into a fun adventure camp. All you need is a tent for shelter, sleeping bags or blankets for cozy sleep, a flashlight for when it gets dark, your favorite snacks and drinks, and some fun games to enjoy together.

• Choose a flat and clear spot in your backyard to set up your tent, and arrange your sleeping bags or blankets inside.
• Build a small campfire, roast marshmallows, sing and dance together. You can also tell spooky stories to add a little thrill and excitement to the night.
• Play games like charades, cards, or flashlight tag, or look up at the stars and see if you can spot any shooting stars.
• Finally, snuggle up in your blankets and fall asleep listening to the sounds of nature around you.

3. DIY Science Experiments

Nurture the curious minds of your little one with some fun filled science experients right at your home or backyard. Gather some basic ingredients, wear safety gears, follow along with some books or video turotials and have fun. Here are some simple yet fun science experiment ideas to get you started-

1. Homemade Volcano:

• Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, food coloring, container (like a plastic bottle or cup), playdough or modeling clay.
• Instructions: Create a volcano shape using playdough or modeling clay around the container. Add a few drops of food coloring and a squirt of dish soap into the container. Pour in vinegar, then quickly add baking soda. Watch as the volcano erupts!

2. DIY Slime:

• Materials: White glue, liquid starch, food coloring (optional).
• Instructions: Mix equal parts white glue and liquid starch in a bowl. Add food coloring for color if desired. Stir until slime forms, then knead with your hands until smooth and stretchy. Store in an airtight container.

3. Balloon Rocket:

• Materials: Balloon, drinking straw, string, tape.
• Instructions: Thread a string through a straw and tape it to two points (like chairs) to create a “zip line.” Blow up a balloon and hold the opening closed. Tape the balloon to the straw. Release the balloon, and watch as it zooms along the string!

4. Rainbow in a Jar:

• Materials: Honey or corn syrup, dish soap, olive oil, rubbing alcohol, water, food coloring, tall clear glass or jar.
• Instructions: Carefully pour each liquid into the jar in layers: honey, dish soap, olive oil, rubbing alcohol, and water. Add drops of food coloring to each layer. Watch as the liquids form colorful layers!

5. DIY Lava Lamp:

• Materials: Clear bottle or jar, vegetable oil, water, effervescent tablets (like Alka-Seltzer), food coloring (optional).
• Instructions: Fill the bottle or jar with about 3/4 vegetable oil and 1/4 water. Add a few drops of food coloring. Break an effervescent tablet into pieces and drop them into the bottle. Watch as bubbles form and rise, creating a lava lamp effect!

4. Nature Walks and Hikes

Nature walks and hikes are wonderful family activities for getting some exercise and fresh air while exploring nature together.

• Find a nearby nature reserve, park, or hiking trail that interests you.
• Prepare some essentials such as comfortable walking shoes, water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, hats, and insect repellent.
• Take your time to explore the trail and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Capture the beauty of nature with your phone or DSLR along the way.
• As you hike through the trail, learn together about the plants, animals, and ecosystems around you.

5. Family Game Nights

Game nights are always my favorite. All you need are some board games and a cozy place to gather around.

• Select a variety of games that everyone can participate in, such as Monopoly, Scrabble, Uno, Ticket to Ride, Codenames, etc.
• Set the scene with lighting and background music.
• Engage in friendly competition with each other and have fun.
• Keep things exciting with some popcorn, chips, and beverages.

Make it a wonderful way to bond with your family, laugh together, and create lasting memories.

6. Baking Together

• Choose a recipe that everyone will enjoy baking together, such as cookies, cupcakes, pie, or muffins.
• Gather all the ingredients and go through the process.
• Divide tasks among yourselves and work as a team to bake your favorite delicacy.
• Get creative with your recipe and add decorations to your liking.
• Once baked, sit down together to enjoy your delicious creations and celebrate your baking success.

7. Explore Local Museums or Exhibits

Exploring local museums or exhibits is not only fun but also a great opportunity to learn together and connect with local culcural roots.

• Find out some local museums or exhibits on history, science, art, or culture in your area that might interest your family.
• Check for the Google review to plan your trip. Look out for non-busy hours, hours of operation, ticket prices, or visitor’s feedback in general.
• Take your family for a nice day out exploring the exhibits together. Avail for guided tours to enhance your experience.
•  End your day sitting together in the museum’s cafe, enjoying a bite and discussing your day.

8. Community Events and Festivals

• Look for upcoming events and festivals in your community, such as street fairs, cultural festivals, farmers’ markets, or holiday celebrations.
• Plan and visit at your convenience.
• While at the event, participate in various activities and explore the different attractions .
• Use this opportunity to meet and interact with fellow community members, and make new friends.

9. Volunteer Together

Volunteering together as a family is a meaningful way to bond, make a positive impact in your community, and instill important values in children. You can participate in planting trees in a community garden, organize a donation drive for a local charity, or join a fundraising event. It is not only a noble activity but also helps children develop empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards those in need.

10. Plant a Garden

Transform your outdoor space into a vibrant oasis by planting a garden together as a family. Select a variety of plants, such as colorful flowers, aromatic herbs like basil and mint, or easy-to-grow vegetables like cherry tomatoes and lettuce. Spend time together preparing the soil, planting seeds or seedlings, and nurturing your garden with water and love. As your garden flourishes, enjoy the beautiful flowers or harvest the homegrown vegetables.

11. Visit a Local Farm or Petting Zoo

Take a trip to a nearby farm or petting zoo for a day with your family. Interact with adorable animals like goats, sheep, chickens, and rabbits, and learn about farm life and animal care. Engage in activities like tractor rides, fruit picking, or pony rides for an extra dose of excitement. You can also explore farm markets to purchase fresh produce or homemade goodies.

12. Movie Night

Movie night is an exciting way to relax and have fun together as a family. Set up a cozy space in your living room with blankets and pillows, pop some popcorn, and choose a family movie everyone will enjoy. Turn off your phones and dim the lights for a theatre-like feeling. You can take turns selecting the movie each week so that everyone gets to watch their favorite

13. Craft Day

Gather around the table with an assortment of crafting supplies such as paper, crayons, paint, beads, and glue. Choose a theme like nature crafts, homemade cards, or seasonal decorations, and let everyone’s imagination run wild. You can create personalized artwork, handmade gifts, or even DIY toys together. Display your masterpieces proudly or gift them to friends and family.

14. Backyard Bird Watching

Transform your backyard into a birdwatching paradise with your family! Set up a bird feeder and bird bath to attract feathered friends, then grab a pair of binoculars and a bird identification guide. Spend time together observing the different species that visit your backyard, from colorful cardinals to chirpy chickadees. You can keep a journal to record your sightings and learn interesting facts about each bird.

15. Family Yoga Session

Get ready to relax and stretch with your family in a fun yoga session! Find a quiet spot at home or outside, like your living room or backyard. Follow along with simple yoga poses from a video or book, taking deep breaths and moving gently. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to yoga – everyone can join in! Yoga helps us feel calm, less stressed, and more flexible. Plus, doing it together strengthens our family bonds and makes us feel closer.