Thumb War

Slaps! (The Friendly Version)

Great for killing the monotony of long flights and waiting rooms. Two people face each other and hold out their hands, one with palms facing up, the other with palms facing down and directly on top of the other person's...

Arm Wrestle

A few minutes to strengthen father-child bond. Let 'em win or show them what super daddy strength looks like. Tap your best acting skills and have fun, feed their imagination, and build their confidence.

Airplane Challenge Throwdown

Don't just sit and watch TV, get some competition going! Our Best Ideas Flip cup, 'beer' pong with peanuts, bank a rubber band off the seat back into a cup, thumb war, slaps, 20 questions, 3-cup shuffle (guess which cup...

Secret Handshake

Create a secret family handshake your kids will remember the rest of their lives. Always a great way to greet each other on a positive note that reinforces your love. While you're at it, create a family knock / doorbell...

Paper Wasp

Teaching them the art of paper wasps is like playing with fire, but hey, they'll learn eventually. Better that you're there to show them where the boundaries are. Setup targets or do trick shots like off an airplane seat back...

Filter Time

Have fun looking at yourselves through the many Snapchat filters. For budding artists, have them trace images on top of an iPad. Cartoonize your photos and have the kids learn how to use contrast, shading, and color effects to create...

Ice Cube Racers

Race ice cubes across the table using only wind power blown through a straw

Kitchen Dodgeball

Swap the gym balls for crumpled paper, ball-pit balls,  or wet sponges. Lay some tape on the floor to delineate the boundary and bring all the fun indoors for year round energy busting fun!

Lawn Twist

Build core strength and take advantage of a nice day outside! Make your own 'Twister' board outside on the grass. Take turns calling out which color to place a given hand or foot on, and don't let your back or...

Keepy Uppy

Elevate the classic 'don't let the balloon touch the floor' game by using light sabers. Grab some cheap inflatable ones, fancy illuminated ones, or honestly just a paper towel roll will bring the same fun. Use The Force to persuade...

Palm Reading

"Kids, you may not know this but I've studied fortune telling and I can read your palm" Make up a silly story that you "see" in your kid's palm. This activity will inevitably end in a tickle fight. Great for...

Paper Airplanes

It's a life skill they need to learn. Get on it.

Pit Maneuvers

When you make your obligatory Chick-Fil-A stop on your next road trip, throw down a few exercise challenges - the most push-ups or jumping jacks, the fastest 20 yard dasher, the first to climb to the roof of the car!...

Puppets

Tap your arts and farts and crafts skills or just draw a face on your hand. The magic is in the personas you assume and the plot lines you pursue. Trust us, this can be more fun than you might...

Sumo Wrestling

The Shocker

Not that one. This is a game where you pretend your kids are full of electricity. The slightest touch will send you reeling like Marv in Home Alone II. Little kids love this, and it can be a great way...

DIY Putt Putt

No need for a fancy course - just apply the old H-O-R-S-E rules from pickup basketball! Bank off the fridge, under the kitchen table, and down the staircase! Note: we recommend a wiffle ball! ALTERNATIVE: apply the same rules for...

Trick Shots

Just throw down a challenge like landing a hat on a post or ball in the hat, then see where your child's creativity takes it. Maybe its rolling a ball down a magnatile ramp or catching a goldfish in your...