Summer is the perfect season to make memories together, and what better way than with a family fun day? Whether you’re planning fun days out with the family, looking for indoor activities for rainy days, or searching for simple things to do with kids at home, there are plenty of ways to keep everyone entertained.
From classic outdoor games in the sunshine to creative indoor adventures, here are 9 activities to try this summer - perfect for family day fun!
Common Questions About Family Fun Days
What is a family fun day?
A family fun day is simply a time set aside for enjoying activities together. Whether that’s heading outdoors, playing games at home, or getting crafty with the family. It's all about creating shared experiences and making lasting memories.
Popular fun family activities:
- Nature walks
- Scavenger hunts
- Beach trips
- Bike rides
- Arts & crafts
- Board games
- Picnics & tea parties
- Role play & dress-up
- Outdoor games
[Image source: Gustavo Fring]
Why are family fun days important?
Family fun days give everyone a chance to switch off, reconnect, and create happy memories. Enjoying family activities and spending quality time together away from everyday distractions like screens and busy schedules also supports children’s learning, confidence, and social skills.
Children's fun day benefits:
- Strengthens family bonds: Shared activities help families connect, communicate, and build strong relationships.
- Creates lasting memories: Family fun days will live long in yours and your child's memories, creating a magical childhood for them (and parenthood for you!).
- Motivates active play: Many fun day activities involve physical movement or outdoor adventures, supporting children's health & wellbeing.
- Reduces screen time: Uninterrupted family play allows for more mindful time together away from digital entertainment.
- Nurtures child development: Social activities and imaginative games will help kids build their communication skills, confidence, and creativity.
[Image source: PNW Production]
What can we do on a family fun day?
The best family fun days include a mix of active play, creativity, and outdoor fun. Keeping things flexible is key! Family fun days work well when they involve both structure and spontaneity, with time built in for rest, play, and whatever the kids naturally drift towards.
What to do on a family fun day:
Here's a suggested itinerary to inspire your very own family fun day ideas!
- Morning: Wake up & start the day with a build-your-own-breakfast bar (everyone fills their plate with whatever they fancy from the buffet)
- Mid morning: Try a photo story walk (take pictures that you can print off later and turn into a made-up family story)
- Late morning: Do a themed scavenger hunt (think pirates, nature explorers, etc.)
- Lunchtime: Dig into a family picnic (or if it's raining, stay inside and picnic on your lounge floor!)
- Early afternoon: Invent your own toys with materials you find in the recycling bin
- Mid afternoon: Create a mini Olympics full of silly family challenges (like sock-throwing or slow-motion races)
- Late afternoon: Wind down with a family game remix (turn a board game into a new version with your own rules!)
- Dinner: Cook a family meal where everyone helps to prepare their own part of the dish
- Evening: Set up an outdoor movie night & snuggle up under blankets to watch your favourite family film
[Image source: Ron Lach]
9 Family Fun Activities
1. Beach Adventures
Pack your bucket, spade, and beach toys for a sandy escapade! Build castles, dig moats, or collect shells together. Our Silicone Beach Toys Bundle is eco-friendly, durable, and perfect for kids’ activities by the seaside.
2. Park & Garden Games
Enjoy simple outdoor games for kids like tag, frisbee, or croquet. Garden games bring plenty of laughs for all ages. Try our Garden Croquet Set for a fun twist on a family day out in the sunshine.
3. Nature Walks
Turn a stroll into an adventure, look out for wildlife, collect leaves, or create a scavenger hunt. Nature walks are brilliant family outdoor activities that cost nothing but spark plenty of curiosity. You could even search for bugs and observe them with our clever Multi-View Maginifer. This little bug viewer is great for kids who are interested in nature and adds an extra bit of fun to your family walk.
4. Bike Rides
Get active with a family cycle ride. Younger children can join in on a toddler balance bike. Our Green Balance Bike with Basket is lightweight, sturdy, and encourages confidence before moving onto pedals.
5. Board Games
Board games are a must-have for both sunny picnics and rainy day activities. For kids, the Animal Shut the Box Game is a fun challenge that builds number skills while keeping the whole family entertained.
6. Creative Activities
Set up a mini art station for some craft activities. From painting to collaging, these creative activities for kids let imaginations run wild. Tiger Tribe's Silk Crayons can be used for a range of artsy activities, from classic watercolour art to window and rock painting. These magical crayons are great fun for the whole family!
7. Puppet Show
Bring stories to life with puppet toys. Kids can create characters, write scripts, and put on a living-room theatre performance. The Big Bad Wolf & Three Little Pigs Puppet Set is perfect for sparking role play.
8. Themed Day
Pick a theme and build your whole day around it. You could be pirates, jungle explorers, or superheroes for a day! Dress up, decorate, and make activities match the theme for a truly memorable family fun day. Check our collection of kids dressing up so you can look the part.
9. Tea Party or Picnic
A summer picnic is always a hit! Bake together for a homemade treat, or use pretend play food to feed your little one's imagination. For more pretend play picnic inspiration, read our previous blog on Children’s Afternoon Tea for the ultimate tea party experience.
More Fun Day Ideas & Tips
- Mix indoor and outdoor family activities, so there’s always a backup if the weather changes
- Keep it simple - sometimes the best things to do with kids are spontaneous games and giggles!
- Make it a tradition - weekly or monthly family fun days give everyone something to look forward to
A family fun day doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated; it’s all about togetherness. With these fun ideas, from balance bikes to beach toys, board games to puppet shows, you’ll have plenty of ways to fill your summer with laughter, learning, and unforgettable memories.