Ideas for Fun Family Activities

Keep the whole gang entertained with these creative games, crafts, parties, and more.

Start the Party

3 Party Themes for Kids
Throw a birthday bash that’s fun for the little ones and easy on your wallet.

Portrait of grinning blonde boy with painted-on thick black mustache

How to Joke Around With Kids

Real Simple asked seven very funny people for ways to get a child giggling (before laughing with you turns to laughing at you).

Photo: Stephanie Rausser

8 Soon-to-Be-Classic Children's Books

These great works of kid lit are destined to be read out loud, or under the covers with a flashlight, for years to come. (And your children will love them, too.)

Photo: Houghton Mifflin

5 Bingo Games for Kids

A clever way to entertain bored kids in the car, at a doctor’s office, or at a restaurant.

Photo: Antonis Achilleos

New Uses for Old Things: The Family Edition

Can a plastic bag come in handy for storing school supplies? Find the answer-and many more innovative ways to use everyday items for school.

Photo: Aimee Herring

The Quiet Book By Deborah Underwood and Renata Liwska

Get Crafty

Table with ink splotches and various materials for making crafts with ink and water

Easy Crafts for Kids
Each requires a little food coloring, a lot of enthusiasm, and not much hand-eye coordination.

Small green gelatin aquarium with sea grass and colored candy fish

Amazing Edible Art Project
This underwater ecosystem (made entirely of candy, gum, and gelatin) is a party showstopper. It’s easier than it looks—though a little labor-intensive. And your kid will still be talking about it when she’s 30.

Gifts wrapped in blue paper with jingle bells and tiny handmade paper fan

Child’s Away-From-Home Birthday Party Checklist

Have all the fun with a lot less work when the party is somewhere other than your house. Here’s a schedule to suit any outside venue.

Discuss with your child what kind of party he or she wants and whom to invite.
Pick a date. You might check first with essential guests to make sure they’re available. Your child won’t be happy if his best friend isn’t there.
Set a budget.

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