On a Friday afternoon the question comes up in many families with children: What shall we do this weekend? After a week of school, nursery and work there is not always energy for a big trip. Here are 14 ideas for a weekend with children aged 3 to 9, at home and nearby, and a simple plan that can be used again and again.
A simple plan for the weekend
You do not have to fill every hour. Try choosing three fixed things for the weekend:
- One thing outdoors. A walk in the woods, a trip to the playground or the swimming pool.
- One thing at home that you do together. For instance baking, building or playing a game.
- One thing that your child decides. Then your child has something to look forward to.
The rest of the time can be free. It is fine to have time when nobody has planned anything and the children come up with something to do themselves.
Friday evening
The weekend starts on Friday evening. Make it a little special without making it big.
- Make pizza together. Let the children choose the toppings.
- Have a film night. With cushions, blankets and popcorn on the floor.
- Build a den in the living room, and sleep or read there.
5 ideas for Saturday
- Go for a walk in the woods. Bring a flask and a packed lunch, and find something to collect.
- Visit the library. Borrow new books, and see whether there are activities for children.
- Go to the swimming pool. It is a good way to spend the time when the weather is cold.
- Visit a museum or a nature centre. Check opening times and prices in advance.
- Visit friends or family. A playdate can be a weekend plan too. Read about playdate at home.
5 ideas for Sunday at home
- Bake together. Buns, cinnamon rolls or pancakes. Let the children stir and roll.
- Start a weekend project. Build something that can grow over two days. It could be a town, a dollhouse or a giant den.
- Have a games day. Each child chooses a game that everyone has to play.
- Listen to an audio story. Crateit has three original Danish audio stories, free to download.
- Have a pyjama day. No plans, no getting dressed, just calm. That is also a weekend.
A weekend project
A good weekend project is something that can start on Saturday and continue on Sunday. The children have something to come back to, and you do not have to spend the whole weekend coming up with new things.
An example: Build a town on Saturday, and colour it on Sunday. Crateit Town is made up of roads, houses and vehicles in wood that come uncoloured. They click together without glue and tools, so the children can build by themselves. And with markers for wood, houses and cars can be coloured layer by layer. Afterwards the town can stay up and become play in the week to come.
You can also build a dollhouse. In Crateit Roomies the children build room by room, and the sets can be combined with each other and with Crateit Town. Read more in a toy town in wood.
When the weather is bad
A weekend with rain and cold can work well. Have a plan B, so you do not end up on the sofa with a screen each. Make a list together with the children of things you can do indoors. If you are short of ideas, you can read indoor activities for children or what children can do when they are bored.
If you have more than one child
With several children it can be hard to agree. Let the children take turns choosing the activity of the day. Or divide the weekend so that an adult has time alone with each child for a couple of hours. Older and younger children can also do something together, for instance build a town where the older ones build roads and the younger ones drive cars.
When you cannot be bothered
Some weekends you are tired, and the children are tired. That is fine too. Choose one thing, and leave the rest. A walk around the block, a film and an early evening is also a weekend. The most important thing is that you have time together.
Plan together with the children
Ask the children what they feel like doing as early as Thursday or Friday. Write three suggestions on a piece of paper, and let them vote. Then they have something to look forward to, and you avoid the discussion on Saturday morning. Remember that a child's suggestion cannot always be done. It is fine to say: "We will do that another weekend." Write it on a list, so it is remembered.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do at the weekend with children?
Go for a walk, visit the library, go to the swimming pool, bake, build or play games. Choose one thing outdoors and one thing at home, and leave the rest free.
What can you do with children when the weather is bad?
Bake, build a den, play games, listen to an audio story or start a project that can last the whole weekend.
How do I plan a weekend with children without spending too much?
Choose free activities like the woods, the playground, the library and projects at home. A trip does not have to cost anything to be good.
Does the weekend have to be full of activities?
No. It is perfectly fine to have time when nothing is planned. One or two fixed things a day is enough for many families.
Start a weekend project: build a town on Saturday and colour it on Sunday.
