Fun Family Activities

01 | Coloring Books and Pages

One simple way to entertain kids is to bust out the crayons and get coloring! Coloring books are easy to travel with, providing a way to get creative without needing a lot of supplies. When coloring, attention is drawn to the colors and shapes on the page, making it a great way to get kids to focus their attention. It’s easy to download a coloring book if you need one in a hurry. Our Color of Nature Coloring Book celebrates the animals in the Hammermill Habitat^® and will help your kids appreciate the color and beauty in nature.

Coloring can also be a great opportunity to learn. There are many coloring books that include facts or a brief lesson for learning. Kids can find out facts about the life of forests and paper production while coloring in animals and leaves. Learn how to identify leaves from the most common trees in the United States with leaf coloring pages. Sometimes you may just want to color away. In that case, coloring pages that can be connected together to create a giant poster might be a good way to go.

Parents can color too! Coloring books for adults have become more and more popular since studies have shown that they can help alleviate stress. When you get immersed into coloring, your mind enters a meditative state that helps promote a sense of calm. You are more apt to achieve mindfulness since you are focused on one relaxing task. Not only do coloring books help lower stress levels, they can also help boost your creativity and productivity. Ready to get started? Download our Outside the Lines Coloring Book and let the fun and relaxation begin.

Coloring books are more than just relaxing. They can help improve motor skills for little ones, as well as improve sleep. The light from electronic screens before bed can make it harder to fall asleep at night. Choosing to color in a coloring book before bed can help you wind down without getting exposure to disruptive screens.

02 | DIY Paper Crafts

Paper has inspired creativity in people since it was invented in 100 BC. From art installations to simple DIY projects, paper is a great medium to use for expressing yourself. Making DIY paper crafts is a great way to engage your kids while getting creative. It’s also an opportunity to let their imagination shine and get them away from their screens. Not only is crafting fun, but there are lots of benefits involved with the activity. Kids will enjoy spending quality time with their parents while they master new skills and boost their creativity.

Making DIY paper crafts can help kids develop their fine motor skills. Kids use their fingers when using art supplies, causing them to work the small muscles in their hands. Any time a craft involves glueing, cutting or coloring, the small muscles in the hands are being used. Communication skills are also developed when crafting as kids talk about their work. Parents can help improve their kids’ communication skills by asking kids to tell them about the craft they are making and why they chose to use certain materials. Listening and following verbal instructions can help kids learn new vocabulary. Who knew crafting had so many benefits!

Most DIY paper crafts are easy to make and don’t require a whole lot of supplies to put together. Sometimes all you need is a sheet of paper to spark creativity. Origami is just one example of how you can get creative with paper, but there are many more. With paper, the possibilities are endless! Ready to get inspired and crafty? We’ve compiled some of our best DIY paper crafts that the whole family will enjoy.

Origami is a Japanese art form that consists of a single sheet of paper that is folded into various shapes to create a design. The paper crane is one of the most popular folded designs, but you can create almost anything! Origamists have created intricate flower designs and even animals that can move. It’s easy to get started folding simpler shapes so you can build your skills and then try more adventurous designs. You can download our instructions for some fun, easy origami basics when you’re ready to get started. Learn how to make a cat, puppy or a heart!

To make a simple heart origami shape, follow the instructions below:

1. Start with folding a sheet of paper in half lengthwise.
2. Fold the paper in half again, and unfold.
3. Take the left and right outer corners of the creased edge and fold diagonally so both sections meet in the middle. Then flip it over.
4. Fold the top edge of the rectangular shape down over the triangular section. Open the flaps of the rectangular shapes.
5. In order for the shapes to lay flat, fold down the inner section into a triangular shape.
6. Fold the bottom outer corners of the rectangle up to the center crease of the rectangle. Fold the top edge of the shape down to the center line.
7. On both sides, fold the top outer edge inward to meet at the outer starting point of the heart indentation.
8. Fold the top outer corners inward to create a small triangle shape. Flip it over, and you’re finished!

DIY paper crafts can serve a purpose other than just being visually appealing and fun to make. Some DIY crafts are meant to be useful when they’re completed. DIY paper bookmarks is a great example of a fun craft that serves a purpose when your family is done making them. Save your page with one of our Hammermill® Habitat animals! Choose from a parrot, bunny or zebra bookmark template. Kids will love making their own bookmarks and they might even be inspired to bust open a book.

Certain DIY paper crafts can take more time than others. Before taking on a more difficult DIY craft, make sure you have enough time to finish it. Looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon? Bring your kids’ drawings or pictures to life with a flipbook. To make the process easier, you can download and print out a free flipbook template. One tip to remember: having more drawings with smaller changes in movement on each will make for a more fluid motion. Be sure you will have enough time to create a flipbook before you start one, since it can be a more time-consuming DIY craft.

03 | DIY Decorations

Bringing the family together to decorate for a special event helps everyone feel involved in the preparations. Transform your space with your kids when you need to create a festive look in your home. Save money by making your own DIY party decorations that will show off your personality. DIY party decorations are fun to make and don’t have to be overly complicated. There are many simple designs that kids can help with. Whether you’re looking for a banner, streamers or a centerpiece, there are many options to choose from. 

Paper is one of the best materials to use when making DIY party decorations. You can cut out interesting shapes to hang from the ceiling, or even create a custom banner for a birthday party. By using paper, you can keep supply costs low while you and your family learn new crafting skills. DIY party decorations will help you add a personal touch to your family’s next celebration. 

Paper fan garlands are perfect to use for almost any celebration, and they’re easy to make. Read our steps below for creating your own DIY paper fan garland: 

1. Print out the colored or patterned templates, or design your own. Cut them out along the lines provided.
2. Fold along the guides given to form an accordion.
3. Flatten the accordion, fold in the center, and tape the edges to form a fan.
4. Make several fans in a color sequence, or as you wish. Alternate fans, and tape the edges together to form a garland.
5. Decorate your walls with this festive paper fan garland. 

Make your DIY decorations more exciting by adding glitter to them or collaging them with magazine cut-outs. You can use ribbon for hanging your DIY decorations instead of string for a more sophisticated look. Create fun bows to add to the ends of banners to help make them more festive. With so many fun options, making your own DIY decorations is a great opportunity to get crafty and creative. 

04 | DIY Holiday Decorations

The holidays are about spending time with family, so why not get together for some DIY fun and holiday decorating? Make your home cozier by adding some fun holiday elements to your space. Get festive with your family by making DIY holiday decorations together. Whether you want to create a winter wonderland or hang hearts for Valentine’s Day, there are easy DIY decorations that will help bring the holidays into your home.

Carving a pumpkin at Halloween is a time-honored tradition that’s fun for the whole family. First, you have to find a pumpkin, which may or not involve a trip to a pumpkin patch. You can make an afternoon of finding a pumpkin at your local pumpkin patch. They usually have fun activities like a corn maze for kids to enjoy. Once you have your pumpkin, all you need is a carving template, tape, knife, large spoon and a candle if you would like your pumpkin to be illuminated. 

This activity involves using a sharp knife and burning candle. It is best conducted by an adult with little ones being carefully supervised around the materials. We’ve got creative design options for you to choose from when you’re ready to carve a pumpkin.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time for family to get together and reflect on what they’re grateful for. Making Thanksgiving decorations together is a great activity that families can do to help get into the holiday spirit. Turkeys made with the outline of a hand are classic decorations that most of us can remember making when we were children. Fall leaves are synonymous with the Thanksgiving season. Paper leaves make great decorations that you can string together or hang individually on a string from the ceiling. No matter what Thanksgiving decorations you decide to make with your family, you will be creating lasting memories making them.

Winter is the perfect season to turn your home into a winter wonderland. All your family needs is a snowflake template, some printer paper, string and scissors. Make sure to keep an eye on the little ones whenever scissors are being used. Once you’ve cut out your snowflakes, attach them to a string and find a place to hang them from. You can spread them out across a ceiling, or hang them from a doorway, leaving enough room underneath them so that people can walk underneath them without running into a snowflake. Add some cute paper snowman that the kids can decorate to really complete your winterland look.

Show some love around Valentine’s Day with easy DIY heart decorations your family will enjoy making. Hearts are the perfect imagery to use to decorate your home around Valentine’s Day. Our DIY Valentine’s Day decorations provide everything you need to make a fun heart banner that will help make any room more lovelier. Get together as a family to hang your Valentine’s Day decorations so everyone gets to be a part of the fun. 

Is it springtime yet? If so, get into the season with DIY decorations that captures this wonderful time of year. Make paper flowers that kids can color and hang on the wall as if they are growing up from the floor. Draw some butterflies and bees that you can cut-out and add around the flowers on the wall. Try drawing and coloring-in some birds local to your area to add to your motif. Add some trees with nests in them for your cut-out birds to sit in. Create a sky by adding a sun and some fluffy clouds; once done, you will have a complete spring mural on your wall.

Holiday and seasonal activities are a great way to bring your family together to make some DIY crafts. Not only are they fun to make, but they promote bonding and can help build skills as well. Making DIY crafts together will ensure your family gets to spend quality time together when things get hectic around the holidays. All you need to do is grab some paper and get festive!

05 | Outdoor Activities

In the last few years, kids have been spending less and less time outdoors and more time being isolated inside, causing them to spend more time in front of screens and less time out in nature. That’s why it has become so important for parents to encourage their kids to take on outdoor activities like biking, hiking and camping early on. These types of outdoor activities can help get kids get active and stay healthy.

There’s no need to travel far when your backyard can be the perfect place to hang out. The fresh air is energizing and the options are endless when it comes to entertaining kids. From setting up a tent for some backyard camping to playing hide-and-seek, it’s easy to get outside when all you need to do is step off of your back porch. All you need is good weather to enjoy outdoor activities with your family.

Learn how to identify leaves while you color with our leaf coloring pages. They teach you how to identify leaves from the most common trees in the United States by looking at different characteristics on each type of leaf. Learn about defining characteristics like particular shapes and edges that are specific to the leaves from certain types of trees. It’s an activity the whole family can enjoy!

Being outside can lessen anxiety while promoting a positive, calm mood. Even just a brief walk outside will help your family feel the health benefits of getting out into nature. It helps families socialize as they get out into their neighborhoods and interact with neighbors. Outdoor activities will help strengthen your family’s bond while reducing stress and promoting healthier movement, which leads to healthier bodies.  

When cabin fever strikes, getting outside for a walk in nature can help. Your family can enjoy the health benefits of getting out into nature simply by going for a walk outside. Getting kids excited to go outside can be difficult when they’re in front of a screen, but a fun activity could help motivate them. Outdoor games, like nature bingo or a scavenger hunt, are fun ways to get outside and explore your neighborhood. Remember to be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and watch out for cars or other methods of transportation that might be in your area.

A trip to a national park can give families the opportunity to create long-lasting memories while being out in nature. You can take a day trip to go on hiking trails or stay the night and camp in a tent. Roasting s'mores by the fire is a fun and tasty camping activity that anyone with a sweet tooth will be sure to enjoy. Telling spooky stories around the fire at night is a great way for kids to learn storytelling skills while getting in some fun entertainment. There are national parks across the United States, making it easy for you and your family to find one near you to visit.

Getting outside for family activities can help kids learn how to work together. Older kids can help younger ones as they learn the value of teamwork. Parent and kids alike can benefit from getting out in the great outdoors. It can help lower your stress levels and give you a sense of calm. Choose an activity for your family, and get out into the great outdoors!

06 | Rainy Day Activities

Rainy days can make kids restless and prone to boredom after being stuck inside for a long period of time. Parents can help keep boredom at bay by planning some rainy day activities. With a few supplies and some imagination, you can turn a rainy day into a fun day inside. Making paper finger puppets and putting on a play is a wonderful way to be creative with your family. Low on supplies? Don’t let the weather get you down. There are many family activities that just require paper.

There are so many opportunities when it comes to keeping kids busy on a rainy day. A rainy day activity can help parents bond with their kids while promoting imaginative play and building their DIY skills. Indoors activities can be fun for both adults and kids. You just need to find the right one that everyone can enjoy together.

Rainy day activities don’t have to be overly complicated. Sometimes all you need is a piece of paper and some creativity. Making paper footballs or airplanes is a simple activity that can provide lots of fun for the little ones and adults alike. Try making a goal post with your hands to see who can score a goal. Paper airplanes are easy to make and fun to race to see which airplane flies the farthest.

Follow the instructions below to make your own paper airplane:

1. Fold a sheet of paper in half lengthwise. Tip: use the tips of your fingers to get a crisp folded edge. Next, unfold the paper.
2. Fold down the top left corner until it reaches the center crease, forming a triangular shape. Now repeat with the right top corner.
3. Next, fold the left point inward until it reaches the center line. Repeat on right side.
4. Turn airplane so the point is pointing away from you. Now fold the plane in half along the center line once again.
5. Fold the wings of the airplane down on each side. The body of the plane should be 1–1.75 inches in height.
6. Get ready for a test flight and have fun!

Low on supplies and need a quick and fun activity? Try taking some cardboard boxes out of your recycling and let your kids’ imaginations run wild. Once they know what they want to make, an adult can help them cut out any shapes from the box. Be sure to get some art supplies out so your kids can decorate the outside of their box. It’s easy to create a car, plane or a house with just a cardboard box and a little imagination.

Baking cookies with your kids gives you the chance to teach them easy kitchen skills like measuring ingredients. It’s also a great way to bond while making memories and treats. You can have kids help mix ingredients, and once the cookies are and have cooled off, they can decorate them with frosting and sprinkles. See who can get the most creative with their cookie decorating. Once done, it’s time to enjoy the tasty treats you’ve made!

No matter which activity you choose, you don’t need a rainy day to stay in and have fun. Family activities can happen anywhere, whether you’re out and about in a park, or hanging out in the kitchen. Doing family activities that require you to stay inside is the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.

07 | Road Trip Games

Road trips are a great opportunity to bond with your family. They can be stressful, but less so if you’re prepared for the open road. Planning ahead can make your road trip go more smoothly, especially if you plan for some family activities you can do in the car to help keep the little ones entertained. Playing games in the car together is a great way to keep the kids engaged and pass the time.

Have fun on the road with road trip games that the whole family will enjoy. The license plate game is just one example that’s fun and easy to play. To get started, you need a list of the fifty states and a pen or pencil to check off whenever someone sees a license plate from a particular state. See if you can get all fifty states. Car bingo can help keep kids busy while they search for items they can mark off of their bingo sheet. It also helps with their memory as they have to recall what states they’ve already marked off. The first player to get five items in a row in any direction wins!

There are many benefits to gain from playing any type of game with your kids. Games are a great family activity that can help promote good memory while developing hand-eye coordination as kids move around game pieces. Kids are also taught how to be patient while waiting their turn, and they learn how to make good decisions. Playing games can help lengthen your kids’ attention span and sharpen their focus. These skills will help them as they grow older.

Taking the time to enjoy family activities with your loved ones is an important way to bond with them. In today’s world of constant distractions, it can be hard to find the time. Scheduling family nights can help you and your family prioritize the time on your calendar. It helps to look for opportunities throughout the day to engage in a short game or an easy-to-do activity. You may be able to find some time between dinner and bedtime. No matter how much time you have, there are a plethora of family activities for you and your family to choose from.

We hope you and your family enjoy these fun activities that will help you spend quality time together. The activities we listed don’t require a lot of supplies or planning. Most just require you to use your imagination and to bond with your loved ones. Whether you are stuck inside or need to get outside for some sunshine, there’s something for everyone. With so many activities to choose from, it’s easy to find something that’s perfect for anytime or anyplace. Get creative and have fun!