Parents and children benefit when they spend quality time together. The opportunities for families to have fun do not stop just because the sun sets. In fact, many different activities are tailor-made for family fun in the evening hours.
BACKYARD CAMPING
Children can ease into the idea of camping by having the first overnight excursion take place in their own backyard.
Set up a tent, light a campfire in the fire pit, and have fun experiencing the sights and sounds of outdoors at night. With close proximity to the bathroom, and an easy means of escaping the outdoors if bad weather sets in, backyard camping can be a safe way to learn some basic camping skills and experience a night under the stars.
WATCH A MOVIE Turn an outdoor (or indoor) area into a theater to enjoy a family-friendly film. Projectors are relatively inexpensive and some can hook up to smartphones, making them quite portable. Invite extended family and friends over for the ultimate movie night.
STAR GAZING
Learn about the galaxy, stars, solar system, and more by finding a dark place away from artificial lights to stare into the sky. Consult books about what you’re seeing, or rely on a phone app that can identify celestial bodies and constellations. From meteor showers to eclipses, there are plenty of celestial events to engage star gazers. In 2025, the Parseids Meteor Shower will occur between August 12 and 13. On August 19, Mercury will be at the greatest western elongation, making this the best time to view the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. On September 7, enthusiasts can witness a total lunar eclipse, producing a moon that looks rusty or blood red in color for parts of eastern Europe and Africa, and throughout all of Asia and Australia.
FLASHLIGHT TAG
A spin on traditional hide and seek, children and adults run around in the evening with flashlights and try to find or rescue team members.
TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS Fire pits and late summer and early fall evenings make a perfect pair. Add to the fun with marshmallows toasted on skewers and a fixings bar of other sweet treats, like s’mores ingredients or cookies and fruit to enjoy with the melted marshmallows.
MEAL COMPETITION
Take a page out of the cooking show playbook by pitting the family against one another in a light-hearted manner. With a set list of ingredients, everyone puts a spin on a signature meal made from the same ingredients.
