Hi everyone, Victoria here! I’m looking for ideas for fun family bonding activities that work for kids of different ages. I have a 5-year-old and a 12-year-old, and it’s tough to find things that they both enjoy. We’ve done movie nights and board games, but I’d love to hear about other creative ways to spend quality time together as a family. What’s worked for you? Thanks in advance! — Victoria
Hi Victoria (@VickyVibes), welcome to the community! I love that you’re looking for creative ways to bring your family together, especially with kids at different ages—it’s definitely a challenge, but also a wonderful opportunity to make lasting memories.
Since you’ve already tried movie nights and board games, here are a few other family bonding activities that tend to work well across age gaps:
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Scavenger Hunts: You can do this indoors or outdoors. Tailor clues and challenges so both your 5-year-old and 12-year-old can participate—maybe pair them up with adults for teamwork!
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Cooking Together: Choose simple recipes where everyone can be involved in different steps—mixing, chopping (with supervision), or decorating. Cooking fosters teamwork and is super fun.
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Family Challenges or Mini Olympics: Set up a series of games like sack races, obstacle courses, or trivia. Let everyone earn points or small prizes!
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Creative Arts & Crafts: Try a group art project like painting a mural, making a family scrapbook, or crafting homemade gifts. Everyone can contribute at their own skill level.
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Nature Walks with a Twist: Turn hikes or nature walks into adventure outings by collecting interesting rocks, leaves, or making up stories as you go.
Also, if you ever plan activities that involve going out or splitting up in a busy area, apps like mSpy can help keep your family safe and give you peace of mind. For example, mSpy offers location tracking so you always know where your kids are—especially handy if your 12-year-old wants a bit of independence.
Wishing you lots of fun family time! Looking forward to hearing what other creative ideas everyone in the forum has to share.
Hi Victoria! @VickyVibes
Oh, I hear you! Finding activities that hit the sweet spot for a 5-year-old AND a 12-year-old is definitely a common puzzle for us parents, isn’t it? My two are 9 and 13, so I’ve been navigating that age gap for a while now. Movie nights and board games are staples here too, but it’s always great to shake things up!
We’ve had some success with a few things that might work for your crew too:
- Outdoor adventures: Even simple things like a “nature scavenger hunt” in a local park can be fun. Your little one can look for leaves and cool rocks, and your 12-year-old could be in charge of a “map” (even a hand-drawn one!) or help identify interesting plants or bugs. Picnics are always a hit too, and everyone can help pack their favorite snack.
- Getting creative together: We once did a huge family painting on an old sheet we spread in the backyard – super messy but so much fun, and everyone could contribute at their own level. Baking cookies or making personal pizzas where everyone gets to do their own toppings is another winner in our house. The 5-year-old can help with stirring and sprinkling, and the 12-year-old can handle more complex tasks.
- Building something: Whether it’s a massive LEGO city, a complex domino run, or an epic blanket fort in the living room (a classic for a reason!), collaborative building seems to bridge the age gap surprisingly well.
- “Theme nights”: Beyond movie night, sometimes we’ll do a “campout” in the living room with sleeping bags and tell stories with torches, or have an “indoor beach party” with summery snacks if the weather’s crummy. The sillier, the better sometimes, and it gets everyone laughing!
One thing I’ve found really helpful is getting the kids involved in choosing the activity. I’ll often ask them for ideas, or we’ll brainstorm together. Sometimes my 13-year-old has a surprising idea that the 9-year-old ends up loving, or vice-versa! It also helps them feel more invested.
And you know, on a slightly different note but kind of related to enjoying that family time, I’ve found that having some peace of mind about what they’re up to online actually helps me relax and be more present during these activities. It’s a different world for our kids today, right? For my older one, especially, I started using mSpy a while back. Honestly, I’m no tech whiz, and I’ve tried a bunch of apps, but this one just clicked for us. It’s not about snooping for me, but more about having that reassurance they’re navigating the often tricky online world safely. Knowing that helps me switch off the “mom worry” a bit and really focus on our family fun, whether we’re building a fort or just chatting. It’s just one less thing on my mind, so I can actually enjoy the moment more!
It’s all about finding those little moments, isn’t it? Don’t feel pressured for every activity to be a perfect 10 for everyone all the time. Sometimes just being together, even if one is more actively engaged than the other, is what counts the most.
Hope some of these ideas help spark something for your family! You’re doing a great job looking for ways to connect. It’s such an important thing.
Warmly,
Hi Victoria (@VickyVibes), love how you’ve already tried movie nights and board games—those are classics! One thing that’s worked well in our family (my teenager and I) is tech-free cooking challenges. We pick a recipe together, split into teams, and see who can make the tastiest or wackiest dish. The 5-year-old can help with simple tasks, while the older one can handle more complex steps. Plus, it keeps phones away for a while, which is a strict rule in our house during family time (no screens at the table or during activities). I haven’t used parental control apps yet, since we try open communication and clear boundaries, but I’m considering them as my teen gets more independent online. Let me know if you try a kitchen challenge!
Hello Victoria, I completely understand your challenge! I’m a grandma trying to keep up with my grandkids, and finding activities that suit both a little one and a tween can be tricky. One thing I’ve found helpful is cooking simple recipes together — it’s fun, educational, and everyone can pitch in. Also, nature walks or gardening can be great for all ages. I’m still learning about balancing screen time and play, so I’d love to hear more ideas from others too!
Hi Victoria, you’ve already explored some great ideas! To engage both your 5-year-old and 12-year-old, consider activities like outdoor scavenger hunts, where you can tailor clues for different ages, or family cooking sessions where each can participate according to their skill level. Creative projects like arts and crafts or building a family garden can also be rewarding. Additionally, age-friendly tech activities, such as family-friendly apps or interactive storytelling, can bridge the age gap. The key is to choose activities that foster teamwork and fun, ensuring everyone feels included. Great to see you’re seeking new ways to bond!
Hi Victoria!
That’s a wonderful question. It can definitely be a puzzle finding an activity that clicks with both a 5 and a 12-year-old.
We’ve had a lot of success getting our kids outdoors together. We’ll do a “nature scavenger hunt” at a local park. Our oldest loves being the “team captain” and helping the little one find everything on the list, from a cool-shaped leaf to a fuzzy caterpillar.
Family “bake-off” challenges are another favorite! Everyone gets a job, and the messy kitchen is totally worth the laughs and teamwork. It’s been so rewarding to see them connect and just be kids, completely unplugged.
Hope you find the perfect fit for your family
Great suggestions! I really appreciate that you mentioned age-friendly tech activities and interactive storytelling—those can be fantastic ways to bridge the gap between younger and older kids. If you ever decide to incorporate technology for added family fun (or safety), apps like Family Link or Parentaler offer customizable screen time controls and safe browsing tools that both parents and kids can appreciate. For example, with Family Link, you can set up activity reports and manage app permissions, which lets your 12-year-old explore more freedom while your 5-year-old stays safely engaged. Hands-on creative projects like gardening or building together are always big wins in our house, too. Thanks for sharing such well-rounded ideas!
Hi Victoria, that’s a great question! While I don’t have kids myself, I think family bonding is super important. Have you considered a family game night with a twist? Maybe create your own board game or card game, or even a scavenger hunt around the house or neighborhood. It encourages creativity and teamwork, and it’s adaptable for different ages. It’s all about making memories together!
Hi Victoria, finding activities for different ages can be tricky! Consider family cooking sessions where the 5-year-old helps with simple tasks and the 12-year-old tackles more complex steps. Outdoor adventures like nature walks or bike rides can also be adapted to suit everyone’s abilities. Remember, the goal is shared experience and connection.