Childhood goes by in the blink of an eye. One minute you’re teaching them to walk, and the next you’re waving goodbye at the school gates. That’s why it’s so important to slow down and make the most of the little years—while you still can.
Whether you have toddlers or tweens, this list of 25 meaningful things to do with your kids before they grow up will help you create memories that last a lifetime. From simple everyday moments to magical once-a-year traditions, these ideas are all about connection, laughter, and love.
1. Take Photos with Santa Every Year
Capture the magic of Christmas by making annual Santa photos a family tradition. These snapshots not only track your child’s growth but preserve the joy of holiday wonder. Pro tip: Book early at WhereIsSanta.com to secure your spot.
2. Camp Under the Stars
Whether it’s a backyard tent or a national park, spend a night telling stories under the stars. Roasting marshmallows and catching fireflies never gets old.
3. Start a “Family Favorites” Journal
Write down favorite books, songs, foods, and inside jokes each year. It’s a time capsule you’ll cherish forever.
4. Bake a Family Recipe Together
Choose a recipe that’s been passed down—or make your own—and bake it together each year. Let your kids take the lead and get messy.
5. Read Together Before Bed
Even as they grow older, reading aloud remains a powerful bonding ritual. Choose seasonal books or childhood classics you both love.
6. Go on One-on-One Dates
Schedule individual time with each child—a walk, a lunch date, or a spa day. It makes them feel seen and special.
7. Take a First and Last Day of School Photo
Frame the side-by-side comparison and see how much they've changed each year. Bonus: use a chalkboard or printable sign to capture the grade and date.
8. Build a Blanket Fort and Watch a Movie
It’s simple, silly, and surprisingly magical. Let them choose the snacks and the film, and crawl into childhood with them.
9. Plant Something and Watch It Grow
Gardening is a great way to teach responsibility and patience. Choose a flower or veggie they can tend and harvest.
10. Make a Summer or Holiday Bucket List
Let everyone contribute ideas, then check them off together. It’s a fun way to stay intentional with your time.
11. Teach Them a Family Tradition
Show them how to wrap gifts the way Grandma did or the special way you decorate cookies. These are the rituals they’ll pass down one day.
12. Have a Yes Day
Let your child plan the entire day—with reasonable boundaries. It’s empowering, memorable, and packed with surprises.
13. Take a Road Trip Without a Set Plan
Pick a direction and go. Let spontaneity and curiosity guide the day—it’s all about the journey.
14. Write Letters to Each Other
Start a tradition of writing notes before birthdays, school milestones, or holidays. Save them in a keepsake box.
15. Celebrate Unbirthdays or Silly Holidays
Have cake for breakfast. Dress up for National Taco Day. Celebrate just because—it builds joy into the ordinary.
16. Go to a Local Fair or Festival
Let them ride the rides, eat the cotton candy, and win the cheap stuffed toy. It’s the stuff memories are made of.
17. Volunteer Together
Find a cause you care about and give back as a family. It teaches empathy and creates a lasting impact.
18. Make a Time Capsule
Fill a box with drawings, toys, and notes. Choose a “reopen” date and bury or store it together.
19. Keep a Growth Chart or Wall of Height Marks
Simple but emotional—those pencil marks hold stories.
20. Celebrate “Just Because” Days
Surprise them with pancakes for dinner, a picnic in the living room, or a no-rules afternoon.
21. Go to a Live Show Together
From puppet theater to concerts, live entertainment is thrilling—and even more fun when it’s shared.
22. Build Something Together
Whether it’s LEGOs, a birdhouse, or a puzzle, completing a project teaches teamwork and patience.
23. Have a Screen-Free Weekend
Reconnect with board games, crafts, or nature. These weekends often become the most memorable.
24. Take an Annual Family Photo
In matching PJs, at your favorite park, or with the Easter Bunny—watch your family grow, one frame at a time.
25. Just Be Present
Put down your phone. Get on the floor. Listen to their stories. It’s the little moments that matter most.
Make Time for What Matters Most
You don’t need to do all 25 in one season—but sprinkle these experiences into the everyday. Because childhood may feel long in the moment, but it’s over in a flash. Prioritize memory-making, laugh at the messes, and above all—just show up.
And don’t forget to capture those holiday moments—from Santa photos to silly traditions, these are the keepsakes your heart will hold forever.