Make Play Treasure

Bingo Night!

Host a lively family bingo night for an evening of fun and friendly competition. Set up a bingo game with colorful cards, markers, and small prizes for winners. Create a cozy game space with snacks and drinks, and gather everyone around to play. For added excitement, you can introduce themed bingo cards related to family interests or current events, and mix up the traditional bingo calls with creative twists like trivia questions or mini-challenges. This simple yet engaging activity brings everyone together and provides an opportunity for lively interaction and a lot of laughs.

A family bingo night creates lasting memories through its combination of playful competition and shared enjoyment. As each family member eagerly marks their cards and cheers for their numbers, the excitement and camaraderie build. Small prizes or fun rewards for bingo winners add a delightful touch to the evening, making each round more thrilling. Incorporating personalized themes or creative calls enhances the experience, making it unique and memorable. The laughter, friendly rivalry, and collective enjoyment foster strong family bonds, turning bingo night into a cherished tradition that everyone will look forward to and remember fondly.

meal planning!

Let the kids take the reins for a week by having them plan the family meals! Gather around the table and provide a variety of ingredients and recipe options, encouraging the kids to choose and create a meal plan for the week. They can pick their favorite dishes, suggest new recipes to try, and even help write out a shopping list. This activity not only gives them a sense of responsibility but also makes meal planning fun and engaging. Watch as they excitedly plan out breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and support their choices by letting them assist with grocery shopping and meal preparation.

Planning and making meals together as a family turns the kitchen into a hub of creativity and bonding. As the kids take charge of the meal plan, involve them in cooking, teaching them basic kitchen skills and letting them lead the way. The process of cooking together—chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and setting the table—becomes a cherished family activity filled with laughter and collaboration. Enjoying the meals you’ve planned together offers a sense of accomplishment and strengthens family connections. These shared moments in the kitchen, combined with the satisfaction of eating the dishes they’ve created, will be fondly remembered and looked forward to, making mealtime an enjoyable and meaningful family experience.

Zoom Trivia Game Night!

family sitting around playing a game together

Host a virtual trivia game night with extended family using Zoom to bring everyone together for a fun and interactive evening. Create a variety of trivia questions spanning different categories like history, pop culture, and family memories, and divide everyone into teams or let individuals compete. Use Zoom’s breakout rooms for team discussions and share a screen to display questions and keep track of scores. Incorporate fun themes or challenges to add an extra layer of excitement. This virtual gathering allows you to enjoy a lively trivia game while staying connected, no matter the distance.

A Zoom trivia game night with extended family can turn into a cherished tradition filled with laughter and connection. As you compete and collaborate on trivia questions, the friendly rivalry and shared moments of triumph or humorous confusion foster a sense of togetherness. Encourage everyone to get creative with team names and to dress up according to the trivia theme for added fun. The event becomes more than just a game; it’s an opportunity to share stories, reminisce about family history, and enjoy each other’s company despite being miles apart. The joy of these virtual gatherings strengthens family bonds and creates lasting memories that will be looked forward to and fondly remembered in the future.

campfire and s’mores!

campfire with sticks roasting marshmallows

Gather your family for an enchanting evening around a campfire, where storytelling and roasting marshmallows combine to create a perfect night. Set up a safe fire pit or use a portable campfire, and arrange comfortable seating around it with blankets and lawn chairs. As the fire crackles, take turns sharing favorite stories, whether they’re classic campfire tales, personal anecdotes, or imaginative tales spun from your own creativity. Toast marshmallows to golden perfection and enjoy them with chocolate and graham crackers, making s’mores as a delicious treat. The warmth of the fire, the flickering light, and the shared laughter make this a delightful family activity.

Telling stories around the campfire while roasting marshmallows becomes a cherished family tradition through the joy of storytelling and the simple pleasure of togetherness. As you gather around the glowing embers, the magic of the firelight sets the stage for captivating tales and heartfelt conversations. The fun of roasting marshmallows and making s’mores adds a tasty element to the evening, creating an interactive experience that everyone can enjoy. The shared moments of laughter, wonder, and storytelling forge strong family bonds and create lasting memories. Each campfire night becomes a treasured event that your family will look forward to, reminiscing about the stories told and the sweet treats enjoyed under the starlit sky.

Drive in Theater!

Transform a regular movie night into a unique adventure by creating an at-home drive-in theater using cardboard boxes! Start by crafting car-shaped boxes for the kids to sit in, decorating them with paint, stickers, and even cardboard wheels to make them look like real vehicles. Arrange the boxes in front of a screen or a blank wall where you’ll project or show the movie. Set up a cozy outdoor or indoor space with blankets and pillows for added comfort. As the movie starts, the kids will love sitting in their DIY cars, making the experience feel like a special event under the stars or in the comfort of your home.

Make the home drive-in theater even more memorable by having the adults run a concession stand, adding a touch of authenticity to the experience. Prepare classic movie snacks like popcorn, nachos, and candy, and set up a mini concession stand with colorful containers and fun treats. As the movie plays, the family can enjoy these delicious snacks, and the kids will be thrilled by the special attention to detail. The combination of creativity in making the car boxes, the excitement of watching a movie from their own “cars,” and the fun of a homemade concession stand creates a magical and memorable evening that brings everyone together. These shared moments and the effort put into creating the experience will be cherished and talked about long after the credits roll.

catch lightning bugs!

Catch the magic of summer evenings by going on a family adventure to catch lightning bugs at dusk. As the sun sets and the sky darkens, head outside with a jar or container (with holes for ventilation) and a flashlight to help spot the glowing insects. Encourage everyone to gently chase and capture the lightning bugs, marveling at their glowing dance. You can turn it into a game by seeing who can catch the most or by spotting different types of bugs. The soft glow of the lightning bugs against the twilight creates a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere, perfect for a family outing.

Catching and releasing lightning bugs together can become a cherished family tradition filled with joy and wonder. As you work together to gently capture and then release these tiny creatures, you’ll share in the excitement of their fleeting glow and the thrill of the chase. Take turns observing the lightning bugs up close, and use the opportunity to teach kids about these fascinating insects and their role in nature. The experience of working together, marveling at the natural world, and sharing stories under the stars creates lasting memories that will be fondly remembered for years to come. The simplicity and magic of the evening make it a special time to bond and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.

beach day!

A beach day is a fantastic way for the whole family to unwind and have fun in the sun. Pack your beach gear—towels, sunscreen, and a picnic lunch—and head to the shore for a day of relaxation and adventure. Build sandcastles, play beach volleyball, or simply splash around in the waves. Bring along some beach toys and games to keep everyone entertained, and set up a cozy spot with umbrellas and chairs for a comfortable break. With the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves, it’s the perfect setting for a joyful day out together.

Having a beach day with your family creates lasting memories through shared experiences and simple pleasures. As you build sandcastles and explore the shoreline, you’ll enjoy the thrill of discovering seashells and the excitement of a friendly beach game. Share stories and laughter over a picnic on the sand, and capture moments with photos of your beach adventures. The relaxed atmosphere and the time spent together strengthen family bonds and make each beach day a treasured occasion. These sunny, carefree moments become fondly remembered highlights of family life, cherished for years to come.

Scavenger Hunt!

school supplies. pencils, highlighters, pens, post it notes.

Kick off the back-to-school season with a fun family activity by organizing a back-to-school scavenger hunt for buying school supplies! Create a list of items each family member needs to find, such as notebooks, pencils, or a backpack, and turn shopping into an exciting adventure. Divide the list among family members or teams, and set off to different stores or sections of a store to locate each item. Incorporate clues or riddles to add an extra layer of excitement. This playful approach transforms the mundane task of school supply shopping into a lively and engaging experience for everyone.

Playing a back-to-school scavenger hunt not only makes shopping for supplies more enjoyable but also creates lasting memories for your family. As you work together to solve clues and find each item, you’ll share laughs, friendly competition, and the satisfaction of completing each challenge. Capture the moments with photos or videos, especially when someone finds a particularly elusive item or when the team collaborates on a tricky clue. The excitement and camaraderie from the scavenger hunt will be fondly remembered, turning a routine shopping trip into a cherished family event that adds a touch of fun to the back-to-school preparations.

Family bike ride !

A family bike ride is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time together. Choose a scenic route or a nearby trail that offers interesting sights and gentle terrain suitable for all ages. Pack some snacks and water bottles, and set out on your bikes, enjoying the fresh air and the feeling of freedom as you pedal along. Make it even more fun by planning small stops for exploring, taking photos, or playing impromptu games like a scavenger hunt. The combination of physical activity and exploration turns the bike ride into an enjoyable adventure for everyone.

Going on a family bike ride creates lasting memories by blending physical activity with shared experiences and discoveries. As you ride together, you’ll not only appreciate the natural beauty around you but also engage in meaningful conversations and laughter. Capture moments with photos at scenic spots or quirky landmarks you encounter along the way, and enjoy the snacks and breaks you planned. This time spent together strengthens family bonds and encourages teamwork, making each bike ride a cherished memory. The fun and excitement of the ride, combined with the joy of exploring new places, will be fondly remembered and looked forward to in the future.

Homemade Pizza!

Transform a regular dinner into a fun family event by making homemade pizzas together! Set up a pizza-making station with a variety of toppings, sauces, and cheeses, allowing everyone to create their own custom pizzas. Roll out the dough, spread on the sauce, sprinkle cheese, and add favorite toppings like pepperoni, vegetables, or pineapple. Each family member can get creative with their toppings and design their pizzas just the way they like them. This hands-on activity turns dinner into a playful and interactive experience, where everyone gets to enjoy their culinary creations while sharing laughs and stories.

Making pizzas at home is a wonderful way for your family to bond and create lasting memories. As you prepare the ingredients together, you’ll not only enjoy the process of cooking but also the conversations and laughter that come with it. Encourage everyone to experiment with different toppings and flavors, and perhaps even hold a friendly competition for the most creative pizza. As you bake and then enjoy the delicious results, you’ll have fun reminiscing about the highlights of the evening and sharing stories about each unique pizza creation. This shared experience fosters teamwork, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment, making it a cherished family tradition to look forward to.