It’s a fact of life: kids hate being bored. And most of them aren’t afraid to let their parents know when they’re not having a good time. Unfortunately, finding fun, family-friendly activities in your town or city at a moment’s notice can sometimes be difficult. That’s why it’s important for parents to have a plan for how to spend the weekend with their children. Otherwise, you could be looking at a few long, miserable days cooped up in the house. Thankfully, any of these five activities are great fun for both parents and kids. Check them out here:

Amusement Parks

Plain and simple, amusement parks are wildly popular –– particularly in the summertime. If you and your kids love roller coasters (who doesn’t?), then it’s a wise idea to invest season-passes to avoid some long lines. What’s more, visiting an amusement park in another city or state can prove to be a fantastic family vacation.

Zoos/Aquariums

Not only are zoos and aquariums a lot of fun, but they can be highly educational as well. Kids of all ages enjoy going to zoos and aquariums, and most zoos host special events throughout the year. If your little one has an animal obsession, then check out the zoo or aquarium in your metro  area.

Sporting Events

There’s nothing quite as exciting as the thrill of live sports. Thankfully, most major cities have multiple professional and/or college sports teams. So no matter the time of year, odds are there’s a game going on somewhere nearby. Just make sure to watch your children and make sure they always respect crowd control barricades so they don’t wander into restricted areas. Lastly, consider bringing ear plugs for young children; some sports venues can get incredibly loud!

Museums

Museums have a bad reputation for being stale and boring. Yet, this is far from the truth. The reality is that many modern museums have fun and interactive areas and tours designed just for kids. Plus, museums offer a vast array of traveling exhibitions. Regardless of your child’s interests, most museums will offer something that will grab their attention and delight them.

Swimming

You’d be hard-pressed to find a group of kids that would turn down the chance of a pool party. What’s more, visiting a public pool is cheap and easy. Of course, outdoor swimming is restricted by the weather and the time of year. Still, many cities and towns have indoor swimming pools at centers like the local YMCA.

At the end of the day, a weekend with the kids should be an opportunity to kick back, relax, and make memories. Any of these five activities will help you do just that!