How to Spend Time with Your Young Adults: 30+ Fun and Meaningful Ideas
Why This Season Matters (and Why Connection Looks Different Now)
When your kids were little, connection came naturally. Bedtime stories, carpool conversations, Friday night pizza, it was built into the rhythm of everyday life.
But as they grow into young adults, that rhythm changes. School, jobs, and friends all compete for their time. Independence is part of the deal, and it means you may have to be more intentional about the time you spend together.
The good news? The connection you build now can be even richer. Full of laughter, deeper conversations, and experiences you’ll all remember for years to come.
This guide pulls together 30+ practical, fun, and meaningful ways to spend time with your young adult kids. We’ve grouped them into categories so you can find inspiration for everyday moments, seasonal traditions, and big adventures.
And here’s the best part, over time we’ll add supporting posts that go deeper into specific ideas, like planning a weekend getaway or hosting a gingerbread competition. This page will be the main hub you can keep coming back to whenever you need inspiration for staying close in the empty nest years.
At Home & Everyday Fun
1. Minute to Win It Game Night
Grab some cups, marshmallows, and spoons and you’re ready for a night of quick, silly challenges.
Download our printable game set to make hosting easier, and you’ll have everything ready in minutes without a lot of planning.
These games don’t take much prep, but they deliver maximum fun. Everyone gets a turn to shine, which keeps things fair and full of laughs.
Want to stretch the fun? Turn it into a mini tournament with scorecards and silly prizes like candy bars or homemade trophies.
You can even theme the night around holidays or seasons. This works especially well at Christmas when the family is all together and looking for something interactive after dinner.
Picture the living room filled with laughter, people cheering each other on, and mugs of hot cocoa between rounds.
It’s simple, inexpensive, and quick to set up, the kind of tradition you can bring back year after year to create big memories from small moments. We’ve put together a list of our top party game supplies here)
2. Board Game or Puzzle Nights
Set the phones aside and pull out family favorites like Scrabble, Monopoly, or a big puzzle that takes up the whole table. (we’ve put together our go-to’s here)
Rotate who gets to choose the game each time, and keep a running scoreboard across the season to crown a family champion. It’s a fun way to keep everyone invested and looking forward to the next round.
There’s something about sitting around the table without screens that opens up space for real conversations to flow. Games naturally bring out personalities; competitiveness, creativity, problem solving, and you’ll learn new things about your kids while laughing together.
A puzzle night offers a slower, calmer pace. The pieces fall into place while stories and updates come out naturally. It’s bonding without the pressure.
Make the night cozy with snacks, hot chocolate, or even themed treats that match the game you’re playing. For extra fun, let each family member design their own “house rules” and play a round their way. (looking to level up your game night? Of course we’ve got a post on that)
3. Family Cooking or Baking Nights
Create themed nights like homemade pizza, a taco bar, or cookie decorating. These evenings are fun, low-stress, and end with something delicious on the table.
Cooking together teaches practical skills while sparking conversations. Let everyone have a role: chopping veggies, mixing dough, or plating the finished dish. The shared effort creates a sense of accomplishment, and sitting down to eat a meal you all made together makes it even more meaningful.
These nights often lead to silly kitchen memories you’ll laugh about for years. You can also turn them into cooking competitions with judges, taste tests, and maybe even bragging rights until the next round.
It’s also a great chance to pass down family recipes. Encourage creativity with toppings and decorations, and snap photos of the final dishes. Over time, you’ll build a family recipe scrapbook that tells your story through food.
4. Movie or TV Show Marathons
Pick a childhood favorite series to rewatch, or dive into a trending show together. Add themed snacks or matching pajamas to make it feel like an event instead of just another night on the couch.
What makes a marathon special isn’t just the show, it’s the togetherness. Snuggling under blankets, quoting old lines, or debating characters gives you shared language and inside jokes that stick around long after the credits roll.
Whether you’re reliving a nostalgic classic or bingeing a new hit, these nights can easily become a family tradition.
Want to make it extra fun? Create homemade movie tickets, vote on which films or episodes to watch, or set up your living room like a theater. Intermissions are perfect for trivia questions, snack breaks, or quick games to keep the energy going.
5) Sunday Football Watch Gathering
Make football Sunday a family ritual. Build a nacho or chili bar, invite a few friends, and soak up the game day energy right from your living room.
Even if not everyone is a diehard fan, the food and atmosphere make it fun. There’s something about the buzz of a game on TV, plates of snacks, and everyone hanging out that brings people together.
Share your favorite traditions with your kids; jerseys, chants, or halftime rituals, and let them add their own. When they feel part of it, football becomes less about the game itself and more about the connection it creates.
You can also host themed nights for rivalry games or throw a Super Bowl party with creative snacks, games and decorations (we have a super handy printables pack here for that). Over time, these gatherings become traditions that anchor your fall weekends and give everyone something to look forward to.
6. DIY Projects or Seasonal Crafts
Tackle simple projects like pumpkin carving, holiday wreaths, chunky yarn trees, or spring flower arrangements. These little projects give you more than just decorations, they create memories, too.
Working with your hands side by side often leads to the best kind of conversation. Everyone can relax, chat, and then leave with something they feel proud of.
The crafts don’t have to be elaborate. The real point is spending time together and producing something you can enjoy later.
Want to add some extra fun? Turn craft nights into friendly challenges, or make it a seasonal tradition by creating something different each year.
Once the projects are done, display them around your home. They’ll serve as a cheerful reminder of shared effort and laughter every time you see them.
7. Gardening Together
Planting a vegetable patch, designing porch pots, or keeping up with flower beds is more than just yard work, it’s quiet time together. Those slower moments in the garden open the door for conversation while giving everyone the satisfaction of seeing progress.
Gardening teaches patience and teamwork. It’s rewarding to watch the results grow over time, and harvesting food you planted together makes any meal feel extra special.
You can also turn it into a bigger project, like starting a family herb garden, building raised beds, or creating a butterfly-friendly space that brings color to the yard.
Don’t forget to take before-and-after photos as the seasons change. Watching the transformation unfold becomes part of the fun and gives you a record of what you built together.
8. Shared Hobbies
Bond over photography walks, start a family book club, or jump into a video game session together. Shared hobbies keep you connected through mutual interests and give you something to look forward to.
When you step into what your kids love, you’re showing respect for their world. And when you invite them into your hobbies, you open the door to new experiences they might not have tried on their own.
These shared activities build a bridge between generations. They create conversations and inside jokes that naturally grow over time.
To make it stick, set aside a recurring time each week or month for hobby sharing. It doesn’t need to be long, just consistent.
Document your progress along the way, whether it’s finishing books, leveling up in a game, or building a collection of favorite photos from your walks together.
Seasonal & Holiday Traditions
9. Gingerbread House Contest at Thanksgiving
Kick off the holiday season with a friendly gingerbread competition. Divide into teams, set a timer, and then let the creativity (and sugar) take over.
The messier it gets, the better. Half the fun is laughing at walls that won’t stand up straight or candy decorations that keep sliding off. Those little “failures” usually become the funniest family stories.
Make it an annual event by changing up the theme each year, maybe a dream vacation house one year, or the wackiest candy roof you can imagine the next.
Hand out small prizes for fun categories like “Most Creative,” “Most Likely to Collapse,” or even “Most Covered in Icing.” It keeps the competition lighthearted and gives everyone a reason to cheer each other on.
Don’t forget to capture the moment. Take photos or short videos of the houses (and the chaos behind them) so you’ll have plenty to look back on when the holidays roll around again.
10. Holiday Baking Days
Set aside a whole day for baking cookies, pies, or those family recipes that only come out once a year. Everyone gets a role; rolling dough, decorating cookies, or packaging goodies to share with neighbors.
The kitchen fills with laughter, stories, and the sweet smell of tradition. It’s messy, it’s busy, and it’s one of those days everyone remembers.
Holiday baking is also the perfect chance to pass down recipes and cooking skills in a natural, hands-on way. Young adults learn by doing, and it’s a fun way to keep family favorites alive.
Make it festive by playing holiday music, wearing matching aprons, or creating a baking playlist full of family picks. By the end of the day, you’ll have trays of delicious treats and a kitchen full of happy chaos.
11. Decorating Traditions
Host a tree trimming party with cocoa and music, decorate the porch for fall, or dye Easter eggs together. These little rituals become anchors that pull your family back year after year.
One simple way to make the holidays more meaningful is by encouraging everyone to bring or make a new ornament each season. Over time, your tree tells the story of your lives together; every trip, milestone, or funny memory hanging right there in the branches. (We’ve even shared some ideas on how to decorate a Christmas tree that feels truly meaningful, if you’d like a little extra inspiration.)
Keep things fresh by adding fun twists, like themed tree nights or DIY ornaments you make as a group. And don’t forget to snap a photo in front of the finished decorations each year. It’s such an easy way to build a visual history you’ll all love looking back on.
12. Outdoor Seasonal Adventures
Plan a hike during the fall foliage, go sledding or ice skating in the winter, or spend a lazy day at the beach in the summer. Seasonal outings give you variety and build traditions you can look forward to every year.
These activities are a great reason to get outside and embrace the rhythms of each season together. They don’t have to be elaborate, sometimes the simplest plans end up being the most memorable.
Want to make them extra special? Pack a few favorite snacks, bring along a playlist for the car ride, or wrap up the day with a cozy meal at home. Those little touches turn an ordinary outing into a tradition your family will want to repeat.
13. Service Projects or Volunteering
Sign up as a family for a toy drive, a food bank shift, or a community clean-up day. Serving together builds compassion and a sense of shared purpose.
There’s something powerful about working side by side for others. It not only makes a difference in your community but also deepens your own family bonds.
Afterward, take time to talk about the experience. Ask what stood out, what you learned, and how it felt to contribute. Those conversations often stick just as much as the service itself.
You may find that these moments become some of the most meaningful traditions of all, the kind that your kids will want to continue long into adulthood.
Active & Adventure Based Ideas
14. Family Vacations
From weeklong beach trips to quick mountain getaways, shared travel gives you the kind of concentrated time together that’s hard to find in everyday life.
Rotate who gets to choose the destination each year so everyone has a voice. It keeps the tradition exciting and makes each trip feel unique.
Vacations open the door to new experiences, fresh conversations, and memories that last long after the suitcases are unpacked. Even a short weekend away can reset your connection and give you a change of pace you didn’t realize you needed.
Want to keep the memories alive? Create a family photo album or travel journal after each trip. Looking back becomes part of the fun, and over time these collections tell the story of your family adventures.
15. Concerts or Live Shows
Whether it’s rock, country, or Broadway, seeing live entertainment together creates memories you’ll revisit for years.
Singing along, cheering with the crowd, and sharing that energy builds a connection like nothing else. These are the moments that feel larger than life, and even better because you’re experiencing them side by side.
Make the most of it by arriving early to soak up the atmosphere. Snap a few photos together before the show starts, and afterward talk about your favorite songs or moments from the night.
In the end, these events are more than just shows. They’re opportunities to bond, laugh, and share an experience that becomes part of your family’s story.
16. Tailgating at Football Games or Concerts
Make tailgating part of your family culture. Pack simple meals, set up a few lawn games, and soak in the energy of the crowd before the main event even starts.
Tailgating teaches your kids how to enjoy the anticipation, not just the game or concert itself. Half the fun is in the lead-up, chatting with other fans, playing cornhole, or flipping pancakes off the griddle at an early kickoff. (If you need ideas, here’s a breakfast tailgate menu that’s always a hit.)
Create themed menus around your team colors, bring along a playlist, and decorate your tailgate spot so it feels festive. A little planning goes a long way, and it helps to have a checklist ready so you don’t forget the essentials. (We’ve put together a guide on packing for a tailgate to make it stress-free.)
Whether you’re at a college football game, an NFL matchup, or even a concert, the pre-event fun can become a tradition all its own.
17. Escape Rooms
Head to an escape room and work together to solve puzzles before the clock runs out.
Win or lose, you’ll end up laughing and learning how each family member approaches problem solving. Someone will take the lead, someone else will notice small details, and everyone gets a chance to shine.
The mix of adrenaline and teamwork makes it a memory that stands out. Celebrate afterward with a meal and replay the funniest or most dramatic moments.
These outings combine fun and problem solving in a way that highlights each person’s strengths, and shows how well you can pull together as a team.
18. Amusement Parks or State Fairs
Spend a day riding roller coasters, eating cotton candy, and soaking up the nostalgia. These outings are lighthearted fun at its best, the kind of carefree days your kids will always remember.
Capture silly selfies in front of rides, try unusual fair foods you’d never eat at home, and let yourself be part of the fun instead of just watching from the sidelines.
Want to turn it into a tradition? Pick one fair or park to attend every year. Over time, it’s fun to see how the experience evolves as your kids grow, from chasing rides as teens to bringing partners or friends along as adults.
19. Fitness Events or Fun Runs
Sign up for a turkey trot, a color run, or even a local 5K. Training together and showing up on race day builds accountability and a sense of pride.
It’s never really about who finishes first. What matters is the shared accomplishment of crossing the line side by side, no matter the pace.
Encourage everyone to set their own personal goals, whether that’s jogging the whole way, walking with a friend, or simply having fun while covered in colored powder.
Celebrate afterward with breakfast or a big family meal. These events promote health, unity, and memories you’ll look back on long after the medals are tucked away.
20. Weekend Road Trips
Explore a nearby town or attraction for the weekend. Even just 24 hours away can feel like a refreshing reset when you’re breaking out of the routine.
The beauty of short trips is their simplicity. They’re low-stress, budget-friendly, and easy to repeat often. You don’t need months of planning to make them memorable.
Make the drive part of the fun by creating themed playlists, packing everyone’s favorite snacks, and planning at least one “surprise stop” along the way.
Some of the best conversations happen on road trips because you’ve got uninterrupted time together in the car. It’s connection built right into the journey.
Food & Drink Experiences
21. Experience Gifts
Instead of wrapping up physical presents, swap them for shared outings. It could be a cooking class, axe throwing, bowling, kayaking, a sporting event, or even something unexpected like donkey polo.
These kinds of gifts create memories that outlast any gift card. They give you something to anticipate, enjoy in the moment, and reminisce about long after.
Want to make it feel extra special? Present the surprise with a creative invitation, a homemade coupon, or a “ticket” tucked inside a card. The reveal becomes part of the fun.
At the end of the day, the activity doesn’t have to be big or expensive. What makes it meaningful is that you’re doing it together.
22. Progressive Dinner at Home
Assign each family member a course, then move from kitchen to kitchen (or even room to room) for appetizers, mains, and dessert. The creativity and movement make the evening feel special, even if the food itself is simple.
Lean into the fun by turning these nights into themed dinners. Think Italian night, all-breakfast foods, or even a “mystery ingredient” challenge where each person has to sneak the same item into their dish. Add decorations, music, and little touches to match the theme.
The laughter, the surprise of what’s coming next, and the effort everyone puts in make it a memory you’ll all talk about long after the dishes are cleared.
23. Farmers’ Market Visits
Head to your local farmers’ market and shop for fresh produce together. Then bring it all home and cook a meal as a group, farm to table, family style.
Wandering the stalls sparks conversation in a way that a grocery store trip just doesn’t. You’ll discover new ingredients, meet local growers, and maybe even stumble across a food you’ve never tried before.
Back in the kitchen, experiment with recipes using your haul. The satisfaction of creating a meal from fresh finds makes it taste even better.
It’s an outing that combines exploration, learning, and delicious food all in one. And once you’ve done it, you’ll probably want to make it a regular family tradition.
24. Wine or Brewery Tastings (21+)
If your kids are of age, plan a day exploring local wineries or breweries together. Pair the tasting with a simple charcuterie board, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for good conversation.
These outings are less about the drinks themselves and more about the atmosphere and the togetherness. You’ll learn a little about the process, sample different flavors, and enjoy the relaxed pace of the day.
It doesn’t need to be fancy. The real win is carving out time to slow down, talk, and share an experience that feels a little different from the everyday.
25. Family Recipe Nights
Cook family meals that have been passed down through generations. As the dishes come together, share the stories behind them; who first made it, why it mattered, or the funny memories tied to it.
These nights preserve culture and memory in the most delicious way. They give everyone a chance to connect with their roots while enjoying the flavors that feel like home.
Encourage each family member to contribute their own recipe ideas too. Over time, you’ll build a family cookbook that keeps growing with every season of life.
The mix of cooking and storytelling strengthens your bond and turns an ordinary meal into something you’ll treasure.
Family Traditions & Celebrations
26. Family Fantasy Leagues
Start a league for sports, or even reality TV shows if that’s more your family’s style. The point is the same: a little friendly competition keeps everyone invested and gives you a reason to check in each week.
Those weekly updates spark conversations that last well beyond kickoff. You’ll find yourselves laughing about trades, predicting outcomes, or teasing whoever’s sitting at the bottom of the standings.
Add fun prizes or quirky traditions to keep the league exciting. Maybe the winner gets to pick the next family outing, or the loser has to wear a funny shirt at dinner.
These simple leagues provide ongoing connection through the season, and the shared banter makes the whole experience even better.
27. Annual Family Reunion Trips
Plan a yearly reunion and make it a tradition to snap a cousin photo every time. Over the years, you’ll build a visual record of family growth that’s just as fun to look back on as the reunion itself.
These trips give extended family a chance to connect, catch up, and strengthen bonds that might otherwise fade with distance or busy schedules.
Keep it fresh by rotating locations and activities. One year might be a beach trip, the next a cabin in the mountains, or even a staycation with local adventures. The variety helps the tradition evolve with your family’s interests.
At the heart of it, the simple act of gathering year after year creates stability and joy. It becomes something everyone can count on, a marker in the calendar that keeps family ties strong.
28. Birthday Celebrations
Keep birthday traditions alive with balloons, special dinners, or homemade cakes. These simple touches remind your kids (even as young adults) that they’re still worth celebrating.
As they grow, add new twists to keep things exciting. Maybe it’s a themed outing, a favorite restaurant night, or a surprise activity that ties into something they love.
Collect photos and stories each year, and look back on them together. Over time, those birthday albums or memory boxes tell the story of your family in a way nothing else can.
At the heart of it, birthdays are less about the cake and more about reaffirming love and appreciation. It’s a chance to say, “We see you. We’re proud of you. And you’ll always have a place to celebrate here.”
29. Memory Making Rituals
Create photo books, scrapbook together, or film a yearly family update video. These rituals make it easy to document your family’s story as it unfolds.
Taking time to capture life stages helps everyone appreciate the journey. Looking back often becomes just as meaningful as living the moment.
Keep it fun by adding creative prompts or themed pages. You could do “best memory of the year,” “funniest family moment,” or “what we’re most proud of.”
Over time, you’ll build a tangible record of your family’s story, something you can flip through, laugh over, and treasure for years to come.
30. Annual Sporting Event Tradition
Pick one game or tournament to attend every year and make it your thing. The predictability builds excitement and anchors your family calendar.
Having an event everyone can count on gives your family something to anticipate, talk about, and plan around all year long.
Add rituals to make the day even more special, maybe it’s tailgating before kickoff, wearing themed outfits, or always going out for a post-game meal together.
These little touches strengthen the tradition and turn a single event into a memory your family will look forward to year after year.
31. A Wine or Beer Tasting Night at Home
You don’t have to go out to enjoy a tasting, you can host a wine tasting party right in your own kitchen or living room. Pick a theme to keep it fun and focused, like wines from Italy, craft beers from local breweries, or even a blind taste test to see if anyone can really tell the difference.
Set up small pours with simple food pairings like cheese, fruit, or charcuterie. Encourage everyone to jot down their thoughts on each option, and compare notes as you go. The point isn’t to be “right”, it’s to laugh together, discover new favorites, and maybe even find a bottle you’ll all want to share again next time.
Add a playful twist by giving out awards, like “Most Surprising,” “Best Label,” or “Wouldn’t Buy Again.” You could even create little scorecards or print tasting sheets to make it feel more official.
The best part? Hosting at home makes it affordable, relaxed, and easy to repeat as often as you like (especially with this handy little list of wine tasting essentials we’ve put together). With a rotating theme, it can become a go-to tradition that mixes fun with just a little learning.
How to Make It Happen (Scheduling, Budgeting & Real Life)
- Rotate the chooser. Each month, a different family member picks the plan. Boundaries: set a budget and time window. This keeps activities fresh and ensures fairness.
- Plan in seasons. Create a short list for fall football, winter holidays, spring blooms, and summer travel. Seasonal planning makes it easier to fit traditions into real life.
- Keep a go bag. Stadium blanket, hand warmers, sunscreen, bug spray, deck of cards, ready for spontaneous fun. With essentials packed, you can say yes more often.
- Mix group and one on one time. Balance big family outings with individual dates to strengthen personal bonds. Every child feels seen when you make time for just them.
- Capture it. Quick photo at the end of each activity. Drop it in a shared album titled “Family, Year.” Over time, you will create a living scrapbook.
Final Encouragement
The best plan is the one you will actually do. Pick one idea, send the text, make the reservation, and let the memory unfold. The gift of this season is discovering who your kids are becoming and letting them discover you, too.
It is easy to feel pressure to make everything special. But your young adults value presence over perfection. They notice when you show up, when you listen without judgment, and when you laugh with them instead of stressing about the details. Those small, consistent gestures build trust and lifelong connection.
Think of this list as a menu, not a checklist. You do not have to do all 30+ ideas this year. Instead, let it inspire you when you need a spark. Try one big trip annually, add a few seasonal traditions, and fill the in between with simple rituals like pizza nights or football Sundays.
Most importantly, remember this: you are not just parenting anymore, you are building a friendship for life. The time and presence you invest now will carry into weddings, grandchildren, and future holidays where your grown kids still want to come home. That is the true reward.
Keep showing up, keep making space, and keep celebrating the little and big moments. Because in the end, it is the togetherness, not the perfection, that your kids will carry with them forever.
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