Water-Based Activities

• Building sandcastles at the beach is one activity to engage the whole family.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  If you've got a baby that's at least 6 months old, swim lessons provide some quality family time. Dr. Cheryl Wu, a Manhattan-based pediatrician, says that at 6 months and older, babies have enough upper body strength to participate in this activity. You can take the entire family to the beach and build sand castles or go hunting for sea shells. If you're not afraid of getting soaking wet, arm your entire family with Super Soaker water guns and let the water flow, at home or at an outdoor park. Water parks can also entertain the entire family.
  
  

Wilderness & Wildlife Activities

• Have every family member participate in a task at a camp site.Seiya Kawamoto/Lifesize/Getty Images
  
  If you've never taken the family camping in the woods, this can be a bonding experience. It's one way to get teenagers off their cell phones, ipods or ipads and more connected to nature. Have everyone help with constructing the tents, building a fire or preparing meals. Try this in the winter time or at night to make the experience even more memorable. You can go on a brisk hike to keep your bodies warm until you get back to the camp site. The National Wildlife Foundation provides checklists for budding conservationists. Download and print these for the entire family and then embark on a wildlife observation hike to see who spots the most animals.
  
  

At-Home Activities

• Karaoke is one at-home activity that can entertain the entire family.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Hide and Seek is a classic game that never fails to entertain regardless of age. However, if you don't want younger ones to turn your house upside down, you may want to opt for a game of Pictionary instead. This is a much more orderly activity that consists of guessing the answers to a series of sketches. Another option is Charades, which prompts players to act out the names of people, places and things. The whole family can enjoy a good movie or you can have everyone take turns at karaoke or video games.
  
  

Facility-Based Activities

• Skating rinks provide a fun environment for families to practice skating.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Bowling, skating, rock climbing, dancing and theater are just a few entertaining activities that may be available at a facility near you. Video arcades and amusement parks should be surefire hits, especially with teenagers. Cruises can provide a wealth of activities for the entire family and may give you several days at sea without the interruptions of cell phones and work.