--- title: 5 MORE Ways to Have Fun with Kids description: Betsy Kerekes shares five more ideas for fun activities to do with kids from her book, 'Be a Happier Parent or Laugh Trying.' image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/5%20more%20ways%20to%20have%20fun%20with%20kids-bkerekes.png ---                                           [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/5-more-ways-to-have-fun-with-kids#) [PARENTING](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/parenting) # 5 MORE Ways to Have Fun with Kids Dec 17, 2020 10:00:00 AM  |  by [Betsy Kerekes](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/betsy-kerekes) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/5%20more%20ways%20to%20have%20fun%20with%20kids-bkerekes.png) *Betsy Kerekes shares five more ideas for fun activities to do with kids from her book *Be a Happier Parent or Laugh Trying. Now that we’re just about home for the holidays, possibly without the benefit of grandma, grandpa, and other family members joining us, the days can just drag, especially for our kids. Here are five more tips from [*Be a Happier Parent or Laugh Trying*](https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/product/be-a-happier-parent-or-laugh-trying) to help shake things up and have more fun at home. (Catch up on Part 1 of this series: [5 Ways to Have More Fun with Your Kids](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/5-ways-to-have-more-fun-with-your-kids).) 1. #### **Makeshift Bowling Alley** My husband has been known to bowl in the hallway with the kids by knocking down princess dolls instead of pins. (He must find it very satisfying.) If anyone topples Gustav from *Frozen,* he or she gets extra points since he’s sturdier. If you don’t have princess dolls, consider yourself lucky, and get creative. Even if you already have a bowling set, using unique toys and assigning different point values could up your game.   1. #### **Stair Games** If you’ve got them, create a similar game to the bowling one above, but with stairs, sort of like Plinko on *The Price is Right*. Line up toys on different steps and either roll/bounce balls down from above, or toss them up from the bottom, taking aim at the various targets. Once again, if desired, you could assign different point values to each toy. Giving a child the task of keeping score will help build that child’s math skills. But, shhh … keep that little tidbit to yourself.    1. #### **Dance Party** Dancing is my favorite form of exercise, and it’s great for kids too. I love grabbing their hands and having them join in. I taught my 8-year-old to swing dance to a Bob Dylan song because, why not? If anyone in the family seems mopey or sad, turn on some uplifting tunes. I read somewhere that when David danced before the ark of the covenant, Saul’s hardened heart was softened. The music in praise of the Lord drove out the spirit of anger in Saul. Perhaps a little Christian praise and worship will drive out the spirit of boredom in your kids.   1. #### **Epic Fort** Even if it means rearranging furniture, fulfill a childhood fantasy and make the biggest, baddest blanket fort ever! Bring out mattresses from bedrooms if you’re feeling extra adventurous. And then, if you can pull it off, do a family sleepover in the living room. Will this be fun to construct, and memorable for both you and your kids? You betcha!   1. #### **Studio C** Though I’m hesitant to recommend shows, [Studio C on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/BYUTelevision) has been enjoyable for our family. It’s sketch comedy that’s actually clean. Did you know such a thing existed? Start with season 1 because the earlier seasons are the best. Of course you should preview them before showing your children. Quoting our favorite episodes (each one is about 3-5 minutes) has brought us laughter and inside jokes. In addition to entertainment, it’s created a family bond. > [Spontaneity is what having fun with kids is all about! #catholicmom](https://ctt.ac/YSroc) And finally, every now and then, ignore the dishes, the chores, and the strict bedtime. Drop everything and go on a walk, or go fishing, or make a backyard bonfire and roast s’mores. If it’s too cold out, use your indoor fireplace or even a gas stove. This kind of spontaneity is what having fun with kids is all about! ![5 more ways to have fun with kids 2-bkerekes](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5%20more%20ways%20to%20have%20fun%20with%20kids%202-bkerekes.png?width=1080&name=5%20more%20ways%20to%20have%20fun%20with%20kids%202-bkerekes.png) --- Copyright 2020 Betsy Kerekes Image created in Canva Pro. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F5-more-ways-to-have-fun-with-kids%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F5-more-ways-to-have-fun-with-kids%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F5-more-ways-to-have-fun-with-kids%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=5%20MORE%20Ways%20to%20Have%20Fun%20with%20Kids) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F5-more-ways-to-have-fun-with-kids%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F5-more-ways-to-have-fun-with-kids%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Betsy Kerekes](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Betsy%20Kerekes.png) ### [Betsy Kerekes](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/betsy-kerekes) Betsy Kerekes is the author of [Be a Happier Parent or Laugh Trying](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1681922924/) (Our Sunday Visitor 2019) and coauthor with Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse of [101 Tips for Marrying the Right Person](https://www.amazon.com/101-Tips-Marrying-Right-Person/dp/1594716714/) (Ave Maria Press 2016) and [101 Tips for a Happier Marriage](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594714460/) (Ave Maria Press 2013). She is Senior Editor for The Ruth Institute. [**](https://www.facebook.com/betsy.kerekes/) [**](https://twitter.com/BetsyK1) ## Related Blog Articles [ Hacks and Helps for Attending Mass with Kids Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/hacks-and-helps-for-attending-mass-with-kids) [ Vacationing in Style, Without Leaving Town Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/vacationing-in-style-without-leaving-town) [ 6 Ways to Get Your Reluctant Toddler to Eat Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/6-ways-to-get-your-reluctant-toddler-to-eat) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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