40+ Cheap Family Night Ideas – For When You’re All Grown Up

April 8, 2022

It becomes more important than ever to maintain strong bonds with our family members as we age. Unfortunately, many people find that their relationships become strained as they get older. This can be due to various factors, including busy lives and differing opinions. However, there are plenty of ways to bond with your loved ones and create meaningful connections that will last a lifetime, and family nights are the best way! Here are some cheap family night ideas that can help bring you closer to your family members.

Via Pexels

Play Games Together

One great way to bond with your family members is to play games together! This can be anything from classic board games and card games to more active options like tag or hide-and-seek. Games are a great way to have fun and learn more about each other. You might be surprised at how competitive your loved ones can be! All ages can enjoy many great party games. Charades are always a hit, or you could try something like Twister or Pictionary.

Art Night

Get the old colouring pencils out and start getting creative. Not only a laugh, but an art night is also a great way to bond over something creative.

Comedy Night

Who needs to go out for a comedy night? Find your favourite jokes online and have an at-home stand up show. You could always vote for the winner!

Talent Show

We all have a secret talent whether we want to admit it or not. Did you have a hobby as a child that was never pursued into adulthood? A talent show could be a good way to reminisce but also see whether you still have that talent!

Pizza Night

The great thing about making pizzas is that everyone has it a different way, and in my opinion, no way is wrong! Get handy in the kitchen and design your pizza with family – not only one of the best cheap family night ideas, but it will keep you full for a long time!

Pub Quiz

Although a little bit of prep is required, it is definitely a cheap night in. Have one member of your family has the quizmaster and test your knowledge, you never know – you may be pleasantly surprised by the amount of excess knowledge you have!

Go on Adventures

Another great way to bond with your family is to go on adventures together! This can be anything from exploring a new city or hiking through a beautiful forest. Adventure activities are a great way to create lasting memories and get some exercise! Cycling Holidays are a popular choice as they allow you to see new places while also getting some fresh air.

You could also try something like geocaching, which is a great way to explore your local area while working together as a team. Rock climbing is another great option for those looking for a little more of a challenge.

Karaoke Night

Sing your heart out when no one is listening in – a great way to let your hair down!

Stargazing

Should it be warm, grab a blanket and watch the stars in the sky – you’ll be surprised how much time can be lost by staring at the sky.

Ice Cream Bar

The best thing about being an adult is that you won’t get told off for doing the same things you would get told off about something kids love but shouldn’t do. Get creative and set up an ice cream bar at home, with all the sprinkles you could possibly want.

Wine / Beer

This is one of the greatest cheap family night ideas, although you need to be creative. Explore smaller bottles and cans, as well as foreign bottles from convenience stores and have yourself a knock-off wine and beer tasting session.

Indoor Picnic

I did this with my family for my 21st in lockdown, and sometimes the most simple of ideas is so fun. Something like a blanket and triangular sandwiches which are so fun. Get arty and create a spread or charcuterie board to die for.

Check Out! My Favourite Thing about Christmas: Another Collaboration!

Work On A Project Together

Working on a project together is a great way to bond with your family members. It’s a chance to learn new skills and also have some fun. For example, you could build something together or work on a puzzle or craft project.

You could also start a garden together or work on another type of home improvement project. This is a great way to spend some quality time together while also making your home more beautiful.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are endless possibilities when it comes to bonding with your family members. Just remember to have fun and enjoy spending time together!

Watch Home Videos

Family time is definitely for reminiscing, so whip out the old VCR and re-watch all the memories you have over the years.

Go Through Family Photos

If you do not have any videos, consider getting the albums of photos out and discussing all the memories you may not have mentioned in years.

Have a Photoshoot

Set up a room in your house with white walls (a bedsheet can do this), get some crazy props and take some photos – let your hair down, and I’m sure the pictures will say 1000 words.

At-Home Spa

Get a multi-pack of face masks, use buckets as foot spas and relax to your heart’s content. A spa can be such great cheap family night ideas and can be suited to the whole party.

Create an All You Can Eat at Home

Consider buying meals from all of your favourite takeaways and fast food outlets and create an all you can eat at home! Not only will it be cheaper than the standard £12-15 per person, but you also won’t need to buy drinks on top!

LEGO Night

*Other alternatives are available – I know that LEGO can be very expensive, but it is a great way to get the whole family involved in a project! Also, you are never too old for LEGO right?!

Watch the Sunset

Find the perfect location, and watch the sunset – not only is this a really cheap way to spend your time, but it is also a great relaxation technique. Take some snacks with you so you do not get distracted by your stomach.

Fondue Night

Now here’s something to appreciate as an adult – fondue night. Pick your favourite melty cheese, or chocolate, and expect it to become a cheat day.

Jigsaw Puzzles

This is a great (and cheap way) to keep everyone occupied. Work on all four corners of the puzzle, and hopefully, meet in the middle. Hopefully, there is a sigh of satisfaction when it is completed!

Dart Night

Darts are a cheap (and competitive) form of entertainment – just find a solid wall and let the rest sort itself out!

Share A Meal

Sharing a meal is a great way to bond with your family members. It gives you time to catch up and enjoy some delicious food! You could cook a meal together or go out to eat at a restaurant.

Meals are also an excellent opportunity to teach younger family members about different cultures and cuisine. For example, you could try making a traditional dish from your homeland or eating at a restaurant specialising in a particular type of cuisine.

Cooking can help you bond with your family members. It’s a great way to spend time together while also learning new skills. You can start with simple recipes and then work your way to more complex dishes.

Cooking can be a fun and relaxing activity, or it can be an opportunity to bond over a shared love of food. Either way, it’s a great way to spend time with your loved ones!

Cheese and Wine Night

Family nights can be fancy, especially when there are no kids about. Simply purchase a bottle of wine and a selection of cheeses and devour them while spending time together.

Check Out! COVID19: How is your New Normal? – Vinn En Route

Cookie Decorating Night

Who is saying that this doesn’t need to be competitive? Whip out all your childhood cookie decorating skills and have some fun! If it doesn’t look any good – eat the cookie and start again!

Cupcake Making Night

I loved making cakes as a kid, and it doesn’t need to stop when you get older. Either follow a recipe (or box) and spend a couple of hours making cupcakes with your family.

BBQ Night

If you want something a lot more low key, what better than to grill some food and eat it – a BBQ can be a great way of having a chat over good food. To bring the cost down, everyone could bring a dish.

Make Jewellery

Find a kit for kids and see whether you can all follow the instructions – you never know, the jewellery could be top quality!

Origami Lessons

All you would need is some paper and a YouTube video, how hard can it be?

Science Night

Follow experiments using household items (mentos and coke), or buy science kits and have an evening of some chemical reaction fun!

Candle Making Night

Not only a keepsake but a great reminder of a lovely family night – candle kits are readily available and affordable so why not try something different for your family night?

Truth or Dare

As risque or polite as you make it, truth or dare can be a great way to understand the limits of your family members, as well as a good laugh. Everyone prep some questions – and therefore everyone can take part without knowing what to expect.

Bingo Night

Bingo isn’t just for old people? It can get quite competitive and is an easy way for everyone to get involved. All that is required is a bingo kit, although you may be able to find printable cards and automated bingo numbers online, making it so much cheaper!

Build a Fort

I LOVE building forts. Use all your bedding and get creative – I am sure adult brains would make it a lot better than a child!

Disco Night

Glow sticks, leg warmers, cheesy music – get as crazy as you dare! A great way to bring the outdoors indoors into the comfort of your own living room, with no kick-out time!

1 Pot Meal Challenge

A cooking challenge can always be a great way to break away, as well as reduce the amount of washing up. Plan or improvise, a cooking challenge can be so much fun!

Make Your Own Family Tree

How much do you know about your extended family members? Consider mapping out your family members and see how far you can get from memory.

Recreate Childhood Photos

This can be so much fun, but one to remember year after year. It may take some planning, but it will be 100% worth it.

Secret Santa

This doesn’t always need to be done at Christmas, fun ideas should last all year! Consider putting a load of gifts in the centre of a room and work out who got you what. This is best for bigger families – but still can be cheap. Think of themes you could have and set a budget, so no one goes overboard!

Watch Movies Together

Watching movies is another great way to bond during family time A movie night is a great way to relax and escape from the stresses of everyday life. You can watch classic films that everyone will enjoy or find new favourites that you can all share.

And there we have it! Will you be using any of these cheap family night ideas soon?

sophiapatel99

Tweet Email Facebook

by Sophia Patel