5 Family Friendly Indoor Activities for Your Weekend Away
If you are taking a trip during cooler weather or you are unlucky enough to get stuck with a rainstorm, you might need to rely on some family friend indoor activities. Sometimes it’s just not practical or desirable, for whatever reason, to spend your whole time away outdoors. Luckily, there are plenty of fun things a family can do inside.
- Play a Board Game or Card Game
Playing a board game or card game is something that anyone can get behind because there are so many options to choose from. Every vacationer (or staycationer) knows to throw a deck of cards in your duffle bag, just in case. If you want a board game but didn’t pack one (many of the boxes are quite large), you can look for “board game rental” stores or boardgame cafes and just use what they have available. Or, you can check out a local thrift store and see if they have a board game section (they usually do!).
- Go to an Indoor Swimming Center
A swimming center is the perfect indoor activity with elements of the outdoors baked in. For a typically low entry fee, you usually get access to a whole host of facilities. Call or check the website of nearby swimming venues to see what they have to offer. Some may have a wave pool, a kiddie pool, a hot tub, a steam room, diving boards and slides, and pool toys. They often sell snacks or have a vending machine so that you can grab a treat on your way out. Swimming – or simply relaxing in the hot tub – is a great activity that everyone in the family can enjoy.
- Have a Movie Night
You can take your family to a local movie theater or host a makeshift movie night at your accommodation. If you decide to stay in, you can pack some movies in hardcopy or on a flash drive or sometimes even rent them from the TV service you have at your lodging. Call your accommodation venue ahead of time and ask what they recommend for movie watching so that you know how to pack or prepare. Make some microwave popcorn and serve juice or soda pop. It’s the perfect lazy day in together.
- Do Some Baking
Baking is a great family activity because everyone can get involved and do their part. Make it even more fun by choosing cookies or cupcakes that can be decorated afterward. That way, everyone can spend time icing them and decorating them as they like. Need some quick, kid-friendly baking ideas? Check out Baking with Kids: 5 Recipes that are Easy for the Whole Family . Pick a day near the start of your vacation to do some baking together. That way you have snacks for the rest of the trip.
- Go Souvenir Shopping
When you visit somewhere new you might want to take home something to remember it by. Or maybe you want to pick up a gift for a friend or loved one to bring them back to let them know you were thinking of them while away. Souvenir shopping is a great indoor activity because it is a cool way to get to know the area where you are staying. You will often see t-shirts and magnets sporting key components of the town. Looking to save money? You can just window shop! Souvenir shops are flashy and fun, meaning that even browsing is enjoyable.
We love the outdoors and recommend enjoying the sun and fresh air as often as possible. But sometimes weather or other barriers get in the way. Luckily, there are plenty of fun things to do as a family indoors. So being stuck inside shouldn’t put a damper on your night – in fact, it can be a lot of fun!
