An activity jar holds dozens of ideas written on slips of paper. When the weekend is empty or the holidays drag, someone pulls a slip and the decision is made.
Gather ideas together
Sit down as a family and brainstorm. Everyone adds ideas, including the children. Aim for at least thirty.
Sort by time and cost
Use colored paper or colored dots:
- Green: free and at home (blanket fort, family dance party, bake cookies).
- Yellow: free or cheap, out of the house (library, park picnic, nature walk).
- Blue: a bigger outing that needs planning (museum, swimming, a day trip).
Pick the color first based on the time and money you have, then draw a slip.
Ideas to start with
Treasure hunt in the garden, indoor picnic, build the tallest tower, family talent show, a walk to collect leaves, make pizza from scratch, a movie night with homemade tickets, a bike ride, visit a playground you have never been to, a puzzle race.
Use our free generator
The activity jar suggests ideas by age, indoor or outdoor and time available, and prints them as cut-out slips.
Keep the jar fresh
Add new ideas as you think of them, and remove the ones nobody enjoys. A slip that is pulled and done can go back in for another time.
Adapt these ideas to your household. Organization guidance is general information, not medical, safety or financial advice.
