Each family experiences that point. When Saturday morning arrives, kids are restless, and someone is asking, ‘What do we do today?’
Rather than scrambling for activity ideas or resorting to screens, a Family Fun Jar could be the simplest thing you never realized you needed.
Here is the concept: take an old jar, a tin, or even a worn-out mug, and put it full of folded pieces of paper. On each one of these papers, write a quick, no-hassle, and simple activity. Once a week, have someone pull out a slip, and that is your family activity for the day. No arguing, no browsing Pinterest for hours—just take one paper, and there you go, sorted for the activity.
Why It Works
Children enjoy surprises. They don’t want much; they just want a sense that they are being included in the decision-making process. Drawing a mystery slip from the jar adds a touch of anticipation even before the activity has started. It also allows parents who are tired of being cruise directors each Saturday to remove some pressure from themselves.
More significantly, the jar creates focused time that declares, ‘This is for us.’ It is a simple way to ensure that family time is not constantly being pushed back on the to-do list.
Filling the Jar
Begin with things you already like. Backyard picnic. Movie night. Fort-building. Baking cookies. These don’t take much preparation or money. Then, add a couple of new ideas: sidewalk chalk challenge, nature walk picture scavenger hunt, flashlight hide-and-seek.
You may color-code the slips: blue for indoors, green for outside, and yellow for something that requires a bit of prep work. Or keep it basic. Just ensure that you have a good balance so that you’re not calling for three bake-offs consecutively.
One of our favorites is a quick, friendly pool game. It’s ideal for a day when you don’t feel like going out but still want something with a bit of excitement and laughter. You can even get online versions if you don’t have a table at home—quality time remains regardless!
Keep it Loose
No one is telling you to do the activity immediately; it is optional. Things get in the way—someone is sick, the weather changes or everyone is just too exhausted. Keep things light-hearted. If the timing is not right, suggest swapping for next week.
You can also add some seasonal activity ideas. Snow art in winter. Lemonade stands are set up during the summer. Let the children contribute ideas as well. They’ll surprise you. Even a simple idea like ‘create a family handshake’ can become a side-splitting afternoon.
Make It a Tradition
After a few weeks of doing it, the jar is no longer a novelty. It’s something to look forward to. It creates a habit of consistency without feeling like a duty. And on those days when everything else is a bit crazy, that small piece of paper is the thing that gets everybody back on track.
It costs little or nothing. It takes minimal planning. And it could be one of the highlights of the year for you to do as a family.
