Family traditions are activities that bring family members together that create lasting memories and a sense of belonging. Family traditions play an important role in strong family bonds, promoting stability, and bringing joy to the whole family.
The beauty of a family tradition is that they don’t have to be extravagant or expensive—many can be low-cost or even completely free.
By incorporating seasonal family traditions, the entire family can enjoy the unique opportunities each time of year provides and stay connected throughout the year.
This post includes the best family traditions tailored to every season, helping you create special times with your family.
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Spring Family Traditions
We look forward to spring after a long, cold winter indoors. Here are some ideas for spring traditions for your family:
1) Easter Egg Hunt
One of the most beloved springtime traditions is an Easter egg hunt. You can hide eggs filled with candies and small prizes around your house, backyard, or local park for your little ones to find.
Alternatively, you can celebrate Resurrection Day by reading the stories of Jesus from the Bible. You can also celebrate with a special holiday dinner and decorate the dinner table with holiday crafts.
2) Spring Crafts
Get creative and encourage your children to explore their artistic side with spring-themed and Easter crafts.
They’ll cherish the memories of creating these fun projects with you while also developing their fine motor skills and imaginative thinking.
3) Gardening as a Family
Spring gardening is another good way to spend quality time with your family. You can involve kids in planting vegetables, fruit, or flowers which teaches them about the importance of caring for plants.
It’s a great opportunity for children to learn about nature and responsibility while having fun together as a family.
4) Outdoor Activities
With warmer weather and longer days, spring is a perfect time to plan some outside activities with your family. You can visit a local park, have a picnic, or play sports together, such as frisbee or soccer.
These activities promote physical health and allow you to bond with each other.
5) Rainy Day Baking
Showery days can be the perfect opportunity to stay indoors and engage in some fun activities like baking or cooking together.
Let your kids choose the recipe and help them along the way while teaching them essential skills.
6) Spring Cleaning Weekend
Spring is an ideal time of year to declutter your house. Sell your items online, at a yard sale or donate them to charity.
Spring cleaning may not sound like the most exciting activity, but it can be an excellent chance to teach your children the importance of taking care of their belongings and developing responsibility.
7) Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts
Nature walks and scavenger hunts are another excellent way to enjoy the spring season with your family. Head to a local park or nature trail and create a scavenger hunt list that includes flowers, leaves, or various wildlife you might encounter.
This activity not only helps children connect with nature but also encourages curiosity and exploration.
8) Seasonal Outdoor Photography
Photography can be a creative and engaging family tradition. Arm your kids with cameras or smartphones and encourage them to take photographs of spring flowers, trees, and even insects.
This activity promotes appreciation for spring’s natural beauty while allowing your family to create lasting memories documented in pictures.
9) Make DIY Bird Feeders
Make bird feeders using pinecones coated with peanut butter (or an allergy-friendly substitute) rolled in birdseed. Hang them in your backyard or local park and watch the birds visit. Take pictures of your children with their feeders.
10) Family Time Capsule
Start a family time capsule and add items that represent your family’s current interests and memories. Open the capsule in a few years to reminisce on the good times and see how things have changed.
Alternatively, you can open it up on New Year’s Eve to reflect on all the things that happened throughout the year.
11) Take a Nature Hike
Explore your local nature trails or parks by taking a hike with your family. Encourage everyone to observe their surroundings and take note of any interesting plants or animals they see along the way.
You can even make it into a fun scavenger hunt by making a list of things for everyone to find during the hike.
12) Family Bike Ride Adventure
Explore your area on bikes and make it extra fun by including a snack stop. Find a new route or follow a familiar one and see if you notice anything new. Make sure to take plenty of breaks and enjoy the scenery along the way.
13) Backyard Bug Hunt
Each spring, go on a “bug safari” and see what creepy crawlies you can find. Bring magnifying glasses and keep a yearly log of what critters you discover.
14) Sidewalk Chalk Art Day
Choose one Saturday in April or May to create chalk masterpieces together on the driveway or sidewalk. Snap a photo each year to compare!
Summer Family Traditions
It’s warm and sunny outside, and it’s the perfect time to start some new summertime traditions. Here are a few summer family activity ideas to get you started:
15) Outdoor Movie Night
Turn your backyard into a movie theater under the stars! Set up a large-screen TV, let the kids choose the night’s feature film, and get cozy with pillows and blankets and make popcorn.
16) Beach Days
Spend a day at the beach with your family, soaking up the sun and playing in the water. Bring some snacks and beach toys for everyone to enjoy.
17) Backyard Water Olympics
Set up sprinkler relays, water balloon tosses, and a slip ‘n slide. Make teams and have a competition to see who can complete the challenges the fastest or with the most creativity.
18) Farmers’ Market
Take a trip to your local farmers’ market and explore all the fresh produce, homemade goods, and local vendors. You can even turn it into a fun game by giving each family member a certain amount of money to spend on their favorite items.
19) Backyard Campout
Pitch a tent in your backyard or set up a makeshift fort with blankets and chairs. Make s’mores over a fire pit, tell stories, and enjoy quality time together.
20) Geocaching Adventures
Use GPS to find hidden treasures around your area. My daughters and I had a lot of fun doing this, but we haven’t made it a yearly tradition.
21) Family Fishing Tournament
Have a friendly fishing competition with categories like “biggest fish,” “most fish,” and “most patient fisherman.” Enjoy being out on a boat or by the water with your family.
22) Family Walks
Explore nature by going on a family walk. Choose a nearby trail or national park, pack some snacks and water bottles, and enjoy the beautiful scenery while getting some exercise together.
23) Lemonade Stand Day
Pick one day in summer to do a family-run lemonade stand — fun, entrepreneurial, and community-building. Children love to make money!
24) Yard Sale
Have an annual family yard sale. Kids can help sort through their toys and clothes, set up the items on tables or blankets, and even participate in pricing and selling.
It’s a great way to sell items that you no longer need or want while teaching children about finances and entrepreneurship.
25) Road Trips
Take a road trip with your family to a nearby destination or explore new places across the country. Road trips are a great way to bond with loved ones and create lasting memories.
26) Camping Trips
Unplug from computers and phones and spend quality time with your family by going camping. Set up a tent, roll out sleeping bags or blankets, cook meals over a campfire, and enjoy activities like stargazing or telling stories.
Campout in your backyard if you can’t go to a campsite.
27) Museum Visits
Learn something new by visiting museums in your area. Many museums have interactive displays, exhibits and activities for families to enjoy together.
28) Neighborhood Party
Organize an annual neighborhood gathering. You can have lawn games, BBQ, music, and fun activities for kids. A neighborhood get-together is a great way to get to know your neighbors and build a sense of community.
29) Picnic in the Park
Pack lunch, grab a blanket, and head to your the nearest park. Enjoy lunch surrounded by nature while catching up with friends or family.
You can even make it more exciting by organizing games or bringing along outdoor toys, such as frisbees or kites.
30) Local Festivals
Check out local festivals and other events happening in your area. These often include live music, food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and other fun attractions that are perfect for families. It’s also a great way to support your local community.
31) National Park Challenge
Visit one new national or state park each summer, collecting stamps or patches to mark your progress. Bring snacks or a picnic lunch.
32) Weekly Ice Cream Night
Create a fun tradition by having a weekly ice cream night or DIY sundae bar at home. Your family members can personalize their dessert with their favorite toppings.
33) County Fair
Attend a local county fair and enjoy the rides, games, and fair food. Try out some of the unique competitions and activities.
34) Berry Picking Expeditions
Visit U-pick farms for strawberries, blueberries, or other locally grown produce. You can then spend some time making jams and pies.
35) Book or Movie Club
Start a book or movie club or summer reading challenge with your family, where you can discuss and review different titles together, helping to improve your children’s reading skills. Family members can take turns choosing the books or movies to keep it interesting for everyone.
36) Summer Arts and Crafts
Get creative with your family by doing arts and crafts projects together. You can try new techniques, use different materials, and display your creations around the house. Rock painting is fun this time of year.
37) Fourth of July Celebration
Celebrate the Fourth of July with your family and neighbors by hosting a Fourth of July BBQ or gathering around a fire pit for s’mores. A July 4th celebration is an opportunity to get to know your neighbors better and spend time together.
38) Lawn Games
Play classic lawn games like cornhole, bocce ball, or croquet to enjoy some friendly competition. These games are perfect for all ages and are a fun way to spend time outdoors with your family.
39) Family Olympics
Create your own Olympics with events like three-legged races, sack races, and tug-of-war. You can even make your medals out of construction paper and have a closing ceremony to award them.
40) Lake House Weekend
Rent the same cabin or visit the same lake annually for fishing, swimming, and campfire stories. This summer tradition will give your family something to look forward to every year and allow for quality time spent together in a peaceful, natural setting.
Fall Family Traditions
The leaves of the trees are changing to beautiful colors, and the days are getting shorter now. Fall is an ideal time to establish new family traditions and continue old ones. Here are some fall family ideas to get you started:
41) Apple Picking
Visit an orchard and pick some apples. Use your harvest to make delicious pies, crisps, or apple cider, or dehydrate them for special treats.
42) Cider Pressing Day
If accessible, visit a cider mill or borrow a cider press for a hands-on lesson in making fresh apple cider. The whole family can take turns pressing apples and enjoy warm cider together afterward.
43) Visit a Local Farm
Spend a day learning about agriculture and farm life by visiting a local farm. Many farms offer tours, hayrides, and opportunities to interact with animals. Visiting a farm is a great educational experience for kids of all ages.
44) Family Photo Shoot
Capture memories that will last a lifetime by scheduling a family photo shoot in a picturesque location. You can make it even more fun by coordinating outfits or incorporating fall props, such as pumpkins and hay bales.
45) Fall Crafts
Get creative as a family and make some seasonal crafts. You can decorate your home with homemade wreaths, garlands, or centerpieces using leaves, acorns, pinecones, and other natural materials.
46) Corn Maze Adventure
Visit a corn maze as a family and see who can find their way through the fastest. Afterward, grab some seasonal treats from the farm, if available, like kettle corn or donuts.
47) Pumpkin Picking
Visit a pumpkin patch to enjoy some of the best fall activities. Pick out your pumpkins for carving or painting or for baking delicious pies and treats.
48) Nature Hikes
Take advantage of the beautiful autumn weather by going on a nature hike with your family. You can admire the changing leaves, spot wildlife, and enjoy the crisp air while getting some exercise.
49) Thanksgiving Traditions
Start new traditions with your family during Thanksgiving, such as cooking a traditional meal together, playing games, or volunteering at a local charity. You can also reflect on what you are thankful for and spend quality time with loved ones.
50) Fall Crafts
Get creative and make some fall-inspired crafts with your family. Fall crafts could include making leaf garlands, painting pumpkins, or creating handprint turkeys.
51) DIY Scarecrow Building
Use old clothes, newspapers, and straws to make a family scarecrow each year. Name your scarecrow and take a photo with it!
52) Harvest Festivals
Many towns host harvest festivals during the fall season, which offer fun activities such as hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches. These events are fun and free.
53) Soup and Bread Night
Pick a day of the week and enjoy family dinners with fresh-baked bread and warm soup. This cozy tradition can bring everyone together to enjoy each other’s company.
54) Halloween Costume-Making or Decorating
Get creative and make your own Halloween costumes. This can be a fun family activity that allows everyone to express their creativity.
One of our unique family traditions was doing “Little House on the Prairie Night” as an alternative to Halloween. We would turn off all the lights in the house and eat by candlelight. We kept the lights off and watched one of our favorite movies.
55) Fall Game Nights
Bring out board games, cards, or video games and have a game night with your loved ones. It’s a great way to bond and create lasting memories together. Add some extra fun by having special snacks or treats.
56) Thanksgiving Gratitude Jar or Thankful Tree
A way to teach kids about gratitude and thankfulness is by creating a Thanksgiving gratitude jar or a thankful tree.
Each day leading up to Thanksgiving, family members can write down something they are grateful for and add it to the jar or tree. Read them on Thanksgiving.
57) Leaf-Pile Jumping
If you live in an area where colorful leaves fall in autumn, raking them up into a big pile and jumping into it can be a fun and simple tradition that everyone looks forward to each year.
58) Leaf Art & Pressing Day
Save some of the prettiest leaves from raking up a pile of fall leaves, and use them to create leaf rubbings and garlands, or press them into wax paper to make keepsakes. Look at creations you made in prior years.
59) Family Chili Cook-Off
Let everyone create their own version of chili — or take turns trying a new recipe each year. You can vote on favorites and name the winner.
60) Fall Porch Decorating Together
Pick a day to decorate the porch or doorstep together with pumpkins, gourds, thrifted finds, or homemade signs and wreaths. Take a picture in front of your decorated porch to capture the memory.
61) Back-to-School Shopping
My grandmother would take me shopping for back-to-school clothes every year. I cherish those memories! You can spend the day with your child, picking out clothes and school supplies together.
62) Vacation or Staycation
You can plan and have a yearly family vacation. Consider making it every other year if it’s cost-prohibitive. Fall is a cheaper time for a family travel trip.
Children love to see other places and do different things. They will be special memories that your children will never forget.
You can always plan a backyard staycation instead. Staycations are vacations where you stay at home or in your local area but still do fun activities and try new things. A staycation is an excellent option for families on a budget or those who can’t travel far.
Winter Family Traditions
The days are cold, and the nights are long, but there’s something special about winter activities that brings families together. Here are some ideas for winter family traditions to create lasting memories.
63) Holiday Baking
Gather your family in the kitchen and bake your favorite holiday treats together. Whether it’s decorating Christmas cookies or building gingerbread houses, baking is fun and something that everyone can enjoy. You can deliver homemade treats to friends and neighbors.
64) Family Pajama Day
Choose one Saturday or Sunday in January or February to stay in jammies all day. You can play games, bake something, and watch movies.
65) Winter Kindness Challenge
Create a list of simple, kind acts to do throughout winter. Here are some ideas: shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk, sending a card, or donating food.
66) Bake Bread or Pretzels
Choose one cold weekend to bake homemade bread, pretzels, or cinnamon rolls. It’s a fun skill and can become a warm kitchen tradition!
67) Christmas Tree Decorating
Make it a family affair by decorating the Christmas tree together. Play some holiday music and sip on hot cocoa, as you hang ornaments on the tree. Decorating our Christmas tree is one of my favorite Christmas family traditions.
68) Family Holiday Movie Night
Cuddle up with blankets and hot cocoa for a cozy movie night. Pick out a mix of classic holiday films and new releases to enjoy with the whole family. Make it a cherished yearly holiday tradition.
69) Christmas Crafts
Create Christmas ornaments, cards, and other Christmas crafts together. Enjoy some hot chocolate with whipped cream and cookies while working on your projects.
70) Christmas Caroling
Spread holiday cheer by going caroling around your neighborhood. You can even make it a festive activity by dressing up in holiday costumes.
71) Winter Walks or Snow Days
Take advantage of the cold weather and snow by going on winter walks or having a snow day. Bundle up in warm clothes and explore your neighborhood, go sledding at a nearby park, or have a friendly competition for who can make the best snowman.
Afterward, warm up with some hot cocoa.
72) Christmas Eve
Celebrating holidays are a perfect way to bring families together and create lasting memories. Start Celebrating Christmas the night before.
One of our family traditions is to decorate our tree on Christmas Eve. One year, we had each child open one gift on Christmas Eve, but we decided to save the presents for Christmas Day after that.
73) Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Instead of buying individual gifts for everyone in your friend group or family, consider organizing a Secret Santa gift exchange. Choose names out of a jar and buy a gift for the person you picked.
A Secret Santa exchange not only saves money but also adds an element of surprise and fun to gift-giving.
74) Homemade Gifts
Get creative and make homemade presents for your friends and family. You can bake cookies, knit scarves, or create personalized photo albums. Not only is this more personal and thoughtful, but it also allows you to save money while still giving meaningful gifts during the Christmas season.
75) Gingerbread House Decorating
One of our family traditions is building and decorating gingerbread houses. Use colorful candies, frosting, and creativity to make your edible masterpiece.
Building a gingerbread house is fun for all ages and can also be turned into a friendly competition.
76) Nighttime Sledding or Snow Walk
Bundle up for an after-dark sledding trip or flashlight walk in the snow. It’s a fun, magical and memorable time!
77) Volunteer or Donate
The holiday season is all about love, so why not volunteer at a local charity or make a donation to a cause that is important to you? Donating and volunteering fosters a giving spirit in your children.
78) DIY New Year’s Vision Boards
At the beginning of each year or season, create vision boards together as a family. Include personal goals, fun things to do, or shared dreams. Hang them somewhere visible for motivation all year.
79) New Year’s Eve Family Time Capsule
Create a time capsule at the beginning of the year with items that represent the past year and open it together on New Year’s Eve to reflect on all the memories made.
80) Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of some items to find around your neighborhood or home that you are grateful for. A gratitude scavenger hunt is an interactive activity to do as a family while practicing thankfulness together.
Year-Round Family Traditions
Here’s some ideas for year-round family traditions:
81) Sunday Pancake Breakfasts
Make Saturday or Sunday mornings memorable by having a family pancake breakfast. Everyone can take turns making different kinds of pancakes and enjoy the delicious meal together as a family.
82) Monthly Movie Nights
Select a night each month for a family movie night. This can be a time to watch old favorites or discover new movies together. You can even make it more fun by adding themed snacks and activities.
83) Family Dance Party Night
Pick a playlist of everyone’s favorite songs or create a mix of different themes every week. Dance it out in the living room to celebrate the weekend.
84) Monthly “Family Day”
Each person gets a say in the activity for the day. The activity could be anything from visiting a local museum or park, trying out a new restaurant, or even hosting a game night at home.
85) Puzzle Building Day
Dedicate one day a week or month to working on a large puzzle as a family. The completed puzzles can be framed and hung as a testament to your teamwork.
Birthday Family Traditions
Birthdays are meaningful moments that bring families together to honor someone they love. To make children’s birthdays more memorable, here are some ideas for birthday family traditions:
86) Birthday Breakfast in Bed
A special breakfast in bed is a great idea for celebrating the birthday person. The breakfast dish can be their favorite meal or something new and exciting.
87) Surprise Birthday Party
Plan a surprise birthday party for your loved one where friends and family gather to celebrate them. The party can include games, decorations, and, of course, cake!
88) Special Birthday Dinner
Instead of going out to eat, have a special dinner at home with all of the birthday person’s favorite dishes.
We used to go out for pizza for birthday celebrations, but we have instead changed to making whatever the birthday child wants for their dinner. We usually follow it up with some gifts and whatever movie the child picks out.
89) Birthday Decorating
Family traditions can include decorating the birthday boy or girl’s room (or living room or dining room), having a special birthday cake, party hats, and singing Happy Birthday. I usually drape the dining room with a birthday banner, streamers, decorations, and balloons to create a fun, birthday atmosphere.
Other fun decorating ideas include making DIY decorations or using themed decorations that reflect the child’s interests. Choosing a theme shows how much thought and effort was put into making the day extra special.
90) Other birthday tradition ideas
You can have a birthday interview, write letters to the birthday child, or create a time capsule filled with memories from the past year. These activities not only create fun and meaningful traditions but also serve as cherished keepsakes for the child to look back on in the years to come.
91) Special Birthday Tradition
Have a birthday scavenger hunt or a backyard campout. These unique and exciting ideas add an extra element of adventure to the birthday celebration.
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Conclusion to Year Round Family Traditions
Celebrating family traditions throughout the year can bring joy and strengthen family bonds.
In spring, families might enjoy planting a garden together or having a picnic in a favorite park. Summer traditions could include beach trips, backyard barbecues, or a campout. Fall is perfect for pumpkin carving, apple picking, or fall game nights. Winter traditions often involve baking cookies, decorating a Christmas tree, or sledding and enjoying hot cocoa by the fire.
Incorporating some birthday traditions can add unique touches, such as outdoor scavenger hunts in summer or indoor treasure hunts during winter. Introducing seasonal and birthday traditions ensures that there’s always something special to look forward to, regardless of the time of year.
Start With One or Two New Traditions Per Season
Select a tradition or two per season that resonates with you and your family, and make it an annual event. Traditions don’t have to be fancy — even the simplest ones can be the most special. The thing that matters the most is the special time spent together and the memories created.
Traditions Don’t Have to be Expensive
Family traditions don’t have to be expensive or require extensive planning. What matters is the effort put into making them consistent and meaningful for everyone involved.
Whether it’s a weekly movie night, baking cookies on holidays, or having a game night every month, family traditions can bring joy and create lasting memories.
Family Traditions Create a Sense of Belonging
Family traditions help everyone in the family feel like they’re part of something special. Traditions provide a sense of family identity and unity, especially during times when families may be separated due to distance or other circumstances.
Through traditions, children and adults alike feel a sense of connection to their loved ones, sharing a bond that they can look forward to year after year.
Share Your Favorite Family Traditions
I’d love to hear about the new family traditions you’d like to try or the family traditions your family enjoys. Let me know in the comment section. Start a new tradition this year and make it something special for years to come!
Short Bio
Catherine Kay (me) is a stay-at-home of nine children. I’m also a blogger who is passionate about making parenting a little easier, besides giving tips about living a frugal life. With over 30 years of experience raising kids (and navigating endless family activities), I love sharing practical tips that help parents raise responsible, independent and happy kids. Find out more about me on my About Page. Need more parenting hacks? Check out my Family Page for even more posts for age-appropriate chore ideas!
These are all great. As a family, we do outside activities and hiking, and it’s the best bonding experience we could ever have had anywhere. It’s the simple things that make the most difference.
Those are great things to do with your children, Stacie!
I love these ideas so much. Family traditions are the backbone of family unity, and there are some super fun suggestions here.
Thanks, Beth! I’d glad you loved the family traditions ideas!
You always have the most helpful posts! I have to admit, this one is making me miss those days of having little kids because we did so many of these! Love backyard movies and ice cream nights! But even as young adults, we still do gingerbread houses, birthday dinners, and so many more that I hope will continue!
Thanks, Michelle, that means a lot to me! Yes, the dynamics change as kids get older, but the family traditions are still important.
I love that there are ideas for every season. Very helpful! I’m pinning this!
Awesome, Heidi! I’m glad you liked the ideas in this post!
These are so precious. The outdoor movie night would be so perfect for the summer.
Yes, it’s a fun thing to do, Camilla!
I think it would be fun to have a bbq for the neighborhood on the 4th of July. We’ve had family bbq but not one for the neighbors!
Yes, we’re actually doing that this year, Rosey, and maybe it will become a tradition.
you have so many great family traditions! i would love to create a time capsule. can’t believe i’ve never done one.
We’ve talked about it, Joy, but never have made a time capsule, yet.
I love how you broke this down by season — makes it feel so doable instead of overwhelming! I’m already imagining us making leaf piles in the fall and trying that cocoa idea in winter. Thanks for the inspiration — now I’m excited to plan some new traditions with my kids!
Thanks, Sonia! I’m glad you appreciate the seasonal breakdown. I hope you have fun with some new traditions!