18 Ideas to get families to gather at your after school program.  Family engagement is an important part of a successful after school program. Here are 18 family night ideas to get you started.

1. The Spaghetti Dinner Award Banquet   ​

This is a great end of the year event.  Make up a big nesco roaster of spaghetti, or two, depending on the size of your program.  You can have the kids help you prepare salads, fill bread baskets, and set the tables before parents arrive.  Create certificate for the children in your care and present them after dinner. You can check out our free printable awards here.  Make the awards fun and personal. 

2. Film Festival

​Have kids write, director and star in their own movies.  If you are tech savvy you can take it a step further and get the kids editing their movies.  On the night of the big premiere make a bunch of popcorn, bring out the projector screen and host a movie night.  

3. Minute to Win it ​​Family Night

Gather the kids and have them develop their own minute to win it games.  Order a bunch of minute timers and get planning. Invite families and order some pizza for a fun minute to win it challenge night.

4. Science Fair

​Have kids develop and implement their own science experiments. When families arrive kids can explain to them the experiments, and what they discovered through the activity.

5. Family Game Night

​This one is pretty easy.  Invite parents to come play some classic board games.  Set the games out so the space looks open and inviting.  You can ask the kids to develop or make their own games that will be featured during game night.

6. Family Trivia Night

This can be a fun way to get parents and children working together.  Develop a list of trivia questions. Make sure some are questions that parents would know, and some that kids would know. Hand out small dry erase boards and expo markers to each family.  When you ask a question have the families write down the answers and hold up their board. The teams with the correct answer get a point. 

7. Tailgate and Flag Football Game

This is a fun back to school night activity. Plop some hot dogs in a nesco roaster, grab a bag of chips, and get some referees.  Encourage families participate in a parents vs kids flag football game. 

8. Family Night Rocket Launch

sHave kids build model rockets.  Real model rockets. Host a “Launch Party”, and encourage parents to bring lawn chairs.  Head out into a field and launch the rockets up into the air. Kids like to see their hard work play off.  3…2…1…Blast off! If model rockets don’t fit your budget try making paper rockets. These rockets are fun to make and go surprisingly far.

9. Host an Open Gym

This event is perfect for those cold winter days. Rent out the gym for an evening and invite families to use the space.  Set out jump ropes, balls, and cones. Allow families play freely or host a game of capture the flag or dodgeball. Either way families appreciate the opportunity to run around with their kids inside.

10. Family Night Treasure Hunt

Get kids and parents thinking and moving with this fun family night theme.  Use our scavenger hunt ideas to create a game that get everyone thinking outside the box.  Have families solve riddles, puzzles, and decode clues on their way to the treasure.

11. STEM Challenge Night

Set out various STEM challenges you have hosted at your program and have children and adults work together to complete the activity.  Balloon Flinkers, Color detective, and Drops on a penny are a few easy and fun challenges kids and parents will enjoy.

12. Art Show

Create a feature of children’s art work.  Hang up art all around your program. Have kids help you make some appetizers and beverages for families to enjoy as they stroll through the art gallery. See our list of fun arts and craft activities to get started.

13. Homemade Ice Cream Social

This family fun night is easy, and quick. Invest in a lot of ziplock bags, and ice cream salt. Have kids and families make their own ice cream! When the ice cream is done, serve it in a nice ice cream bowl, with chocolate, sprinkles and a cherry on top.   

14. The Great Debate

This one is silly, but the kids get really into it. Have children work on a debate topic.  Some classics for children include, dogs vs cats or peanut butter vs jelly. Host a debate night where children make persuasive arguments for one side or the other.  

15. Family Night Backyard Cookout

This is a fun end of the school year gathering. Get together some classic yard games, like bean bags, and ladder toss.  Get the grill going and roast some hot dogs, and serve some potato salad. 

16. Literary Showcase

Have children write their own books, poems and short stories.  During the showcase have children get up in front of the group and read their work of art to the group. Check out our list of writing activities kids will love.

17.  Country Fair (yes Country not county)

Have children pick a country and create a display board that showcases interesting facts about the country. Have children share information with parents as they arrive and peruse the displays. Feature food from various countries and cultures.

18. Talent Show Family Night

Create a sign-up and have kids start practicing to showcase their talents.  Have the kids create flyers for their families and post them around your program area. Get a nice sound system and set up your stage. Lights, Camera, Action!