16 Fun Ideas to Entertain Your Kids at Family Gatherings

Sunday lunch is on the table, the grown-ups finally have a chance to catch up, and then it starts: “bored na ako!” If you’ve got toddlers or preschoolers, you know how quickly a relaxed afternoon can turn into a game of keeping little ones from climbing the bookshelves or quieting the whines. The good news? Keeping kids happy at family gatherings doesn’t take a party planner, a craft store haul, or hours of prep. It just takes a few easy ideas tucked in your back pocket.

From Christmas parties, family reunions, or just cousin hangs, here are low-prep, toddler-to-preschooler-friendly activities that can keep those youthful energies in check! Don’t worry, Moms. Most of these ideas use things you may already have at home (or at Lola’s).

Why You Need to Plan for Your Littles Ones at Family Gatherings

Toddlers and preschoolers aren’t built for sitting through long adult conversations. Their attention spans are short, their energy is big, and an exciting “new” house is full of temptations. Plus, during family gatherings, there are other kids that can only amplify their stamina. A couple of ready-to-go ideas gives them something to focus on, which means fewer meltdowns and more time for you to finish your coffee.

There’s a bonus, too. Don’t think of these games as simple distractions to help the adults get on. They double as educational activities for kids, subtly building skills like counting, color recognition, turn-taking, and listening. And because they’re easy to explain, older cousins, aunts, and grandparents can jump in and lead them.

In fact, in its 2018 clinical report “The Power of Play,” the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that play helps young children learn language, math, and social skills, lowers stress, and strengthens the bond between parent and child. So, when Lolo joins a round of Simon Says, he’s doing more than passing the time.

Low-Prep Indoor Games for Family Gatherings

Looking for more musical ideas that don’t involve the karaoke machine? A dance activity will burn off your kids’ excess energy.

Stuck indoors because of the weather, a small space, or just a cozy afternoon? These indoor games for family gatherings need little more than a bit of floor space.

1. Stop dance

This is a classic, and for a reason. Put on a playlist everyone likes, let the kids dance, and pause the music at random. Anyone still moving is “out” (or, for toddlers, just gets a silly tickle). It burns energy, builds listening skills, and is age-inclusive. Everyone, from Grandpa to Baby can join!

2. Pillow and blanket fort

You might be seeing furniture and toy stores selling modular sofas for forts for an outrageous price. But you don’t need that, Momma. Hand over the couch cushions, a few blankets, and some clothespins, then step back. Building a fort is one of those engaging activities for kids that can hold their attention for at least an hour. Once it’s built, it becomes a reading nook, a playhouse, a snack spot, or a “secret clubhouse.” No titas allowed!

3. Color scavenger hunt

This game is a variation on “I Spy.” Call out a color and have the kids find something in the room that matches. For preschoolers, make it trickier: “Find something red and soft.” It’s a quick, no-prep game that sneaks in color and texture vocabulary.

4. Simon says

Another timeless game for 100% pure family fun. Keep commands simple for toddlers (“Simon says touch your nose”) and add sillier ones for older kids (“Simon says hop like a frog”). Let a grandparent or older cousin be Simon for extra laughs.

5. Sock basketball

Roll up a few pairs of socks and set out a laundry basket or a big bowl. Kids take turns tossing, stepping back after each successful shot. No breakables at risk, and it’s easy to play while sitting down, too.

Outdoor Activities to Burn Off Energy

If you need ideas for your kids during family gatherings, bubbles always guarantee a good time.

If there’s a backyard, a patio, or a park nearby, head outside. These activity games for kids are perfect after a big meal or a sugary snack, when little legs need to move.

6. Bubble chase

It was the great Drew Barrymore who shared just how helpful a bottle of bubbles can be. Not only are they pure magic for toddlers, but they also encourage deep breathing, which can help with emotional regulation, redirects a child’s focus from impending tantrum to fun bubble time, and keeps their mouths occupied, which means no whining, no calling for extra snacks!

Blow on some bubbles, then let the kids chase and pop them. Switch to hard mode by asking the little ones to pop bubbles only with their elbows or toes.

7. Nature treasure hunt

Give each child a paper bag or small bucket and a simple list: a leaf, a smooth rock, a flower, a stick, something yellow. For pre-readers, draw little pictures instead of writing words. They’ll come back proud of their “treasures.”

If there’s someone extra artistic in the group, you can create “found art” in the garden using your finds!

8. Sidewalk chalk obstacle course

Draw a path with chalk: hop on the circles, tiptoe along the wiggly line, spin at the star, jump to the finish. Older kids can help design the next course, which keeps them busy, too.

If you’re too mentally drained to come up with a fancy obstacle course, good old-fashioned piko (hopscotch) will do the trick! This might also be the perfect time to introduce long-forgotten Filipino games to your children.

9. Red light, green light

One person is the “traffic light” and calls out “green light” (go!) or “red light” (freeze!). It’s simple enough for three-year-olds and works beautifully as one of those fun games for family gatherings where grown-ups can play along.

10. Touch ball

Save this highly physical activity for when energies are at an all-time high. A favorite during recess in the ’90s, touch ball is like downsized dodgeball.

Ball up a sock or a handkerchief. Break out into two teams. One team splits into two parties, with either on the opposite ends of the play area. They’ll need to throw the “ball” at the center and tag anyone from the other team. The other team stays inside and dodges from end to end. Anyone tagged is out, and once everyone in the middle is out, the teams switch places.

For toddlers, have the throwers roll or gently toss the ball, and let anyone who catches it stay in the game.

Easy Art Activities for Kids (Minimal Mess, Moms!)

When it’s time to wind down, a few pieces of paper and some pencils will do the trick.

When it’s time to wind down, a quiet creative corner works wonders. These art activities for kids keep hands busy without turning the dining room into a glitter or paint disaster.

11. Big paper mural

Tape a long sheet of butcher paper (or a few pieces of scratch paper) to the floor or a low table and set out crayons. Give the kids a theme, like “our family picnic” or “Lola’s garden,” and let everyone add to it. Bonus: it makes a sweet keepsake for the host.

12. Sticker scenes

A sheet of stickers and some blank paper can keep a toddler happy for a surprisingly long time. Peeling stickers is great for fine motor skills, and preschoolers love creating little stories with them.

13. Play dough bakery

Bring a tub of play dough and a few cookie cutters, a rolling pin, or plastic utensils. Kids can “bake” pretend treats and “serve” them to the adults. It’s one of the most reliable fun activities for kids in the toddler-to-preschool range.

Group Activities for Kids That Bring Everyone Together

Some of the best moments happen when the whole family joins in. These group activities for kids are easy for any generation to lead.

14. Story circle

Sit in a circle and start a story with one sentence: “Once upon a time, a little dog found a giant cupcake...” Each person adds the next line. Toddlers can contribute a single word or sound effect. The final stories are usually hilarious!

15. Pass the parcel (mini version)

Wrap a small treat or toy in several layers of newspaper, with a sticker tucked between each layer. Play music, pass the parcel around, and whoever’s holding it when the music stops unwraps one layer. It’s one of those party games for family gatherings that feels special without much effort, and every child can “win” a sticker along the way.

16. Animal charades

Whisper an animal to a child and have them act it out while everyone guesses. No words allowed, just moves and sounds! It’s among the most interactive activities for kids because it’s easy to understand and adults can ham it up to maximize the enjoyment!

What About Screens?

Let’s be honest: handing over a phone is the fastest way to quiet a cranky toddler. But for this age group, experts agree that less is better. The World Health Organization (WHO) doesn’t recommend sedentary screen time for babies and one-year-olds, and suggests no more than one hour a day for children aged two to four. It also encourages swapping screen time for active play and quiet moments with a caregiver, like reading, storytelling, singing, and puzzles. Gadget addiction is real, and you need to curb it while you can.

There’s another reason to hold off. A 2022 University of Michigan study in JAMA Pediatrics followed 422 families with children aged three to five. It found that regularly using devices to calm upset kids was linked to more emotional reactivity over six months, especially in boys and in children who already had strong tempers. The researchers say the problem is screens becoming the go-to soothing strategy, since a distraction doesn’t teach kids how to handle big feelings themselves.

That said, we’re all human. Even the study’s lead author, pediatrician Jenny Radesky, acknowledges that parents sometimes use devices strategically, like during travel. If you hit a true “nothing else is working” moment at a family get-together, a screen can be your backup plan, as long as you stick to a few ground rules:

• Try something else first. Reach for a quiet game from this list, like stickers or play dough, before you reach for the tablet.
• Set the limit upfront. Agree on “one episode” or “until dessert” before the screen comes out, and give a heads-up before time is up.
• Pick slow, age-appropriate content. Gentle shows or simple interactive apps beat fast-paced videos that leave kids wound up.
• Don’t use it to stop meltdowns. Comfort, a hug, or a quiet corner helps kids learn to calm down on their own.
• Get back to play. Once the crisis passes, invite them back to the cousins and the games.

Screens aren’t the enemy, but they shouldn’t be the main act, especially during family gatherings. Join the ParenTeam Moms and Dads Facebook Group to learn what pediatrician Dr. Katrina Florcruz had to say about the impact of screentime on young kids. 

5 Tips to Make Family Gatherings Run Smoothly

A little planning goes a long way, even for the most casual get-together. Keep these in mind:

• Pack a “fun bag.” Toss bubbles, chalk, stickers, crayons, and a small tub of play dough into a tote you can grab on the way out the door.
• Rotate activities. Little ones tire of things quickly. Switching between an active game and a calm one helps avoid overstimulation.
• Recruit helpers. Older cousins often love being “in charge.” Give them a game to lead and watch them rise to the occasion.
• Follow nap and snack rhythms. Plan the high-energy games for after a snack and the quiet ones for when energy starts to dip.
• Keep it pressure-free. If a child wants to just watch the games, that’s okay, Mom. The goal is fun, not a full schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best games for toddlers and preschoolers to play together?

Simple games with easy rules work best when ages are mixed. Freeze dance; bubble chase; red light, green light; and animal charades let toddlers join in at their own level while preschoolers relish the challenge. Older kids can help lead, which keeps everyone included.

How do I keep kids entertained at a family gathering without a lot of prep?

Pack your Mom Bag with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, crayons, stickers, and play dough. With those few items and some household basics like socks, pillows, and blankets, you can run almost every idea on this list without any intense planning or setup.

Is it okay to give kids a tablet or phone during family gatherings?

In a pinch, yes, but save it as a last resort. The WHO recommends no more than one hour of sedentary screen time a day for children aged two to four, and none for babies and one-year-olds. If you do use a screen, set a time limit upfront and steer kids back to play afterward.

Never start your family gatherings with a screen. The kids will end up glued to them all day long.

Another alternative is to have a film showing instead. Gather the kids in a room with a TV, play a fun blockbuster, and serve some popcorn. Check on them every 10 minutes or so. This way, “screen time” will still be a social experience.

How can I get kids of different ages to play together?

Choose games where everyone has a role. Story circle, pass the parcel, and the big paper mural all let a toddler add a word or a scribble while an older cousin takes on a bigger part. Giving older kids a “helper” or “leader” job also makes them more patient with the little ones.

Keeping toddlers and preschoolers entertained doesn’t have to be complicated. With a handful of simple games, a few art supplies, and a willingness to be patient, you can turn those “I’m bored” complaints into memories. Pick two or three ideas from this list, pack your fun bag. Now your next round of family gatherings is something every member can enjoy!