Are you looking for some fun ideas for your family this summer? Maybe you’re looking at a staycation this year. Our plans have changed and we’re not quite sure what we will do for our vacation this year. So, we’ve put together a list of Fun Things to Do at Home This Summer.
There are ideas for couples, kids, teens and families. Activities that you can do right in your own backyard. Many of these ideas are cheap or cost nothing at all. Have fun at home on your own personal staycation!
A lot of times a staycation means that you would tour your own city. Visit museums or sites in your city that you wouldn’t normally see.
But, today let’s talk about some staycation ideas for you and your family at home or close to home, so you can avoid the crowds.
Staycations are a great way to save money over a traditional vacation. They are also a great way to make some wonderful memories as a couple or family. This is a great way to share experiences instead of purchasing material things. Experiences as a family are what kids will remember most and build those important family relationships.
What are your Goals?
First decide what are your goals as a family.
- Do you want to unplug from technology?
- Would you like to get out and experience nature as a family?
- Are you looking for more of a thrill seeking activity?
- Or do you just want time to rest and relax?
Answering these questions will be important to planning your staycation. Knowing what your priorities are will really help in the planning.
- Are your activities all day, everyday? Or will there be down time?
- What would make the staycation memorable for your family?
- What about food? Are you cooking? Or are you ordering out like you would on a traditional vacation?
- Will there be chores or housework during your staycation?
Just be sure your expectations are clear so there won’t be any disappointment. But, most of all, be flexible and enjoy your time together.
Plan Your Budget
You’ll want to plan your budget. Just like a regular vacation there will be expenses. While there won’t be the expenses of travel and a hotel, there will be other expenses. You may even have a little in your budget for a splurge or two.
Be sure to include the entire family in the planning process. Then everyone can have a say in what you choose to do as a family. Of course there may need to be compromises, but that’s part of living in a family.
20+ Fun Things to Do at Home This Summer
I’ve compiled a list of 20+ fun summer activities that can be for couples, young kids, teens and families. Take a look and see what may be fun for your family.
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Karaoke Night
Whether you have a great voice or not, grab a microphone and take turns belting out some of your favorite tunes. This is sure to provide a little laughter! Just let loose and get silly.
Movie night
There are many options here, whether you binge watch a series you’ve been wanting to get caught up on or having a movie marathon. This is sure to please just about anyone.
Or think big and create an outdoor movie theater in your backyard. Make a screen from a sheet, or project the movie onto the side of your house.
Of course you will need treats, popcorn and movie theater candy. Then you will be set for a memorable night.
How about creating your own movie? Put together a little script, act out your scenes and have a fun evening at the premier of your own family movie.
At Home Luau
How about creating a visit to the islands in your own backyard. Experience that relaxed Polynesian culture, cook some authentic food, wrap yourself in a lava lava or a sarong and turn on some Polynesian music to set the mood. You can also play some Polynesians games. This would be a memorable day for sure.
Tuula, at My Tuesday Therapy has great ideas for food, games and decor for the perfect Luau. You can make this as simple or elaborate as you want. Planning can be half of the fun.
Camp Out in Your Backyard
Enjoy the great outdoors right in your own backyard. Set up a tent, sit out under the stars, roast hot dogs and marshmallows over a fire and reconnect with nature and each other.
When we are gathered around the fire pit with our grandkids, they love to tell spooky stories and giggle. It’s the perfect way to unplug and reconnect with each other.
Star Gazing
Get away from the city lights and star gaze. The is one of my favorite things to do. Look up at the millions of starts and just dream. It is quite magical.
Even better if you have a telescope. Bring a blanket and a list of constellations to find.
We just tried out these amazing star gazing chairs a couple of weeks ago. Not only are they perfect for star gazing, but also relaxing in the backyard!
While you’re away from the city, why not spend a night or two roughing it in the great outdoors.
Sunrise or Sunset Hike
Find a nearby trail and explore the mountains. This is a great way to reconnect with nature and your family. This can be challenging, depending on the trail you’ve chosen, but it is so rewarding to make it to your destination and see that you can do hard things.
We are blessed to live close the the mountains and within 5 minutes we can be on the trails.
It can be even more magical if you take a sunset or sunrise hike.
Family Olympics
Do you enjoy the Olympics? Since the games have been canceled or postponed this year, how about a family olympics? Create an obstacle course, or find other competitive games and enjoy a little competition right in your own backyard!
I don’t know about your family, but we are quite competitive! 😉 We have done a family olympics several times and it’s always a hit! Make sure to award prizes and celebrate the winners.
You’ll find some great ideas for a family olympics for younger children from Kristina at Toddler Approved.
If you’ve got older children or want to try this with adults, check out the fun ideas from Danielle at The Creative Bite.
Yard Games
Old fashioned yard games like badminton and croquet are always a hit at our house. We’ve also come across some creative and unique games on etsy. See the images below for something a little different.
Scavenger Hunt
There are so many ways to do a scavenger hunt! You can do one in nature, while driving in a car or even a picture scavenger hunt! Or just create your own! Here are some ideas for scavenger hunts:
Spend a Day Experiencing Another Country
Do you have dreams of traveling to an exotic country? Well, experience that country at home, transform your kitchen into a dining destination.
Research and create authentic recipes from that country.
Learn and share with each other some of the countries heritage and customs.
Learn and play a traditional game from that country. The possibilities are endless.
Make this activity even more meaningful, by experiencing a country from your own heritage. Teach your family about your ancestors and what their life was like in their country.
Escape Room at Home
This is a great staycation idea for older kids. You can spend a few hours solving clues together. Amazon makes it easy to set up an escape room with an at home game. You don’t even have to think of the clues.
You can also do a murder mystery game at home, dress up accordingly to a theme. Make treats that go with your theme. Have fun and go all out.
Another activity that we look forward to each month is Finders Seekers. With Finders Seekers, we get to explore the world and solve mysteries. Kits are mailed out monthly and are fun as well challenging. Without a doubt, it’s fun for the whole family.
Board Game Tournament
One thing I know, kids love games! So why not have a tournament game night? Select a few games and keep track of who wins each one.
At the end of the game night, count up the points and see who won! Remember the more you put into the theme, the more fun everyone will have. Make some fun snacks and get ready to play! Here are a few of our favorite games!
Art and Craft Day
A day of creating is always a hit at our house. The grandkids love to explore lots of different mediums.
Pull out all sorts of supplies and just create! Not only is is fun, but it’s good for the soul.
Wet & Wild Day
I don’t know about you and your house, but at ours anything with water is a blast!
If you have a pool, then have a pool day. If not, then there are lots of other ways to enjoy the water.
- Water fight
- Water balloon Volleyball
- Slip and slide
- Run through the sprinklers
- DIY waterpark
Audrey at The Thrifty Couple has 16 brilliant ways to create your own DIY backyard water park.
Bike Ride
Find a local trail and enjoy a ride together as a family. This is something our family loves to do! Not only is it a great way to get in a little exercise while having fun, but you can experience nature as well.
Go Geocaching
Now this is an activity that I have not tried, but I know of friends who look forward to doing this almost every weekend. Go online to Geocashing.com to learn more.
You can also google geocashing near me and find locations near your home.
Fly Kites
Now who doesn’t like to fly kites? My grandkids are always asking to go fly kites, wondering if there is enough wind to fly their kites.
Head out to a park or beach and fly a kite.
River Float
This is an activity that we want to do this year! We’ve talked about it for the last 3 years. We have a place to float down the river that’s only about 20 minutes up the canyon.
We’ve seen others have such a good time, we definitely want to experience this as a family.
In fact, many years ago when my kids were teenagers, we did a float trip down the Green River near Moab, UT. It was one of our all-time favorite activities.
So if you haven’t tried it, give it a shot!
Go to a Nearby Lake or the Beach
You can’t go wrong with a day at the beach. Rent kayaks or a canoe, try out paddle boarding. I tried it for the first time last year on a cruise and it was so much fun!
Playing on the beach is always a hit with the kids.
Beach comb looking for treasures that have washed ashore. Dig in the sand, build a sandcastle, chase the seagulls or play beach volleyball.
Have a Friendly Cooking Competition
Do you love to cook? Would you like to teach your kids to cook?
How about a friendly family cooking competition! Gather the supplies, and create a masterpiece.
A fun variation might be making ice cream. Divide into 2 groups, gather your ingredients and create your own unique flavors.
Build a Clubhouse or a Treehouse
At our house we have been anxious to build a treehouse for the grandkids. It’s been a dream of my hubby, Steve’s for awhile. He loves to watch Treehouse Masters and see the elaborate treehouses they build, and dreams of having a small one in our backyard.
What kid wouldn’t want to participate in building a treehouse? It would be a great activity for the week.
You can find 13 fun and doable treehouses from Donella at Gluestick and Gumdrops.
I hope I got your wheels a churnin’. Did you see some activities you would like to do with your family this summer?
Do you feel like planning a family staycation this year?
As I pulled these ideas together, I definitely found some ideas we would like to do as a family this summer.
Remember the most important thing is to create memories and be together! Remember: Time together as family is never wasted.
If you are new here WELCOME! We would love to hear from you. What activities are you planning this summer? Please share in our comment section, we would love to hear your ideas.
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Thank you for stopping by… and spending some time with us today!
And as always here at Sunny Side Design
WE HOPE TO BRING YOUR HOME TO THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET!
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That is fantastic! All those great ideas are really helpful. Thank you
Thank you so much Veronica! We are looking forward to some of these fun activities with our family. Have a wonderful summer!