50 Things to Do With Your Nephew
Being an uncle isn't about having the biggest budget, the coolest toys, or the most elaborate plans. It's about being someone your nephew knows he can count on.
Sometimes that means taking him on an adventure. Sometimes it means teaching him something. Sometimes it means playing a game on the floor or eating way too many snacks while watching a movie.
If you're looking for things to do with your nephew, we've got 50 ideas to get you started.
What Are Some Fun Things to Do With Your Nephew?
The best activities are ones that let you spend real time together. Choose activities based on his age and interests, and don't be afraid to let him take the lead.
1. Build Something Together
Use LEGO, blocks, cardboard, craft supplies, or whatever you have around the house.
2. Go to the Park
Bring a ball, frisbee, scooter, or simply explore the playground.
3. Have a Pizza Night
Make homemade pizza and let your nephew choose the toppings.
4. Go for Ice Cream
Make it an official uncle-nephew outing.
5. Build a Blanket Fort
Make the biggest fort possible and hang out inside.
6. Have a Movie Night
Choose a favorite movie, make popcorn, and get comfortable.
7. Go on a Hike
Find an age-appropriate trail and turn the walk into an adventure.
8. Have a Nerf Battle
Set up obstacles and create your own rules.
9. Build a Model
Try a model airplane, car, robot, or another age-appropriate kit.
10. Go Fishing
Fishing can be less about catching something and more about spending time together.
11. Play Board Games
Choose games that match his age and interests.
12. Teach Him a Skill
Show him how to cook, fix something, plant a garden, tie a knot, take photographs, or do another skill you enjoy.
13. Let Him Teach You Something
Ask him to teach you about his favorite game, hobby, sport, or interest.
14. Have a Water Balloon Fight
Perfect for a warm day.
15. Go Bowling
Keep score or forget the score entirely.
16. Try Mini Golf
Create a silly challenge for each hole.
17. Visit a Science Museum
Science museums are a great way to turn curiosity into an adventure.
18. Make a Volcano
Try a simple science experiment at home.
19. Go on a Bike Ride
Explore a safe bike path or neighborhood route.
20. Have a Backyard Campout
Set up a tent, tell stories, eat snacks, and look at the stars.
21. Make a Bird Feeder
Build or decorate one and watch which birds visit.
22. Go to a Sports Game
Watch a local team or attend a youth game.
23. Play Catch
Grab a baseball, football, frisbee, or whatever you have.
24. Make a Race Track
Use toy cars, cardboard, tape, or household objects.
25. Have a Video Game Tournament
Pick a game, make a bracket, and keep score.
26. Go to an Arcade
Set a budget and see what you can accomplish.
27. Have a Pancake Breakfast
Make breakfast together and let him choose the toppings.
28. Explore Your Town
Visit a place neither of you has explored before.
29. Have a Treasure Hunt
Hide clues around the house or yard.
30. Go Stargazing
Bring blankets and see how many constellations you can find.
31. Make a Time Capsule
Write letters about your lives today and open them years later.
32. Visit a Library
Choose books based on subjects he's interested in.
33. Build a Fort Outside
Use sticks, blankets, cardboard, or a tent.
34. Try Geocaching
Turn a walk into a treasure hunt.
35. Make Homemade Ice Cream
Experiment with flavors and toppings.
36. Cook a Family Recipe
Teach him something that has been passed down through your family.
37. Have a Lego Challenge
Choose a theme and see what each of you can build.
38. Make a Comic Book
Create characters, draw scenes, and write your own story.
39. Go to a Local Fair
Enjoy rides, games, food, and people-watching.
40. Have a Water Day
Sprinklers, water balloons, a pool, or a trip to a splash pad can make a hot day memorable.
41. Create an Obstacle Course
Use pillows, chairs, cones, boxes, and other safe objects.
42. Make a Movie
Write a short script and film your own movie together.
43. Have a Photography Challenge
Give each other a list of things to photograph.
44. Plant a Garden
Grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers and watch them develop.
45. Volunteer Together
Find an age-appropriate way to help your community.
46. Take a Day Trip
Visit a nearby town, park, attraction, or museum.
47. Make a Bucket List
Write down all the things you want to experience together.
48. Start an Uncle-Nephew Tradition
Choose something you do every year.
49. Make a Memory Box
Save photographs, drawings, tickets, notes, and souvenirs.
50. Just Hang Out
Play. Talk. Eat snacks. Watch something. Goof around.
Sometimes doing nothing together is exactly what a kid needs.
What Can an Uncle Do With His Nephew?
An uncle can do almost anything with his nephew that creates opportunities to connect.
Try:
Outdoor adventures
Sports
Cooking
Building projects
Crafts
Science experiments
Video games
Reading
Museums
Hiking
Fishing
Camping
Day trips
Volunteering
Simple everyday adventures
The activity matters less than the relationship you're building while doing it.
What Are Cheap Things to Do With Your Nephew?
You don't have to spend a lot of money to have fun together.
Try a park, hiking trail, library, picnic, backyard campout, scavenger hunt, homemade pizza night, movie night, bike ride, game night, or neighborhood adventure.
How Can I Bond With My Nephew?
Ask questions.
Listen.
Play the games he likes.
Let him teach you something.
Share your own interests.
Create traditions.
And make time for him consistently.
Being an uncle gives you a unique opportunity to be another trusted adult in a child's life.
Make the Ordinary Extraordinary
You don't need to plan a once-in-a-lifetime adventure every time you see your nephew.
A trip for ice cream can become a tradition.
A Saturday morning at the park can become a favorite memory.
A silly inside joke can last for years.
A simple conversation can matter more than you realize.
The goal isn't to create a perfect childhood.
It's to be part of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fun activities to do with a nephew?
Fun activities include building projects, sports, hiking, cooking, video games, museums, science experiments, camping, fishing, biking, board games, and simple adventures.
What can I do with my nephew for free?
Go to a park, hike, ride bikes, play games, have a picnic, build a fort, explore your neighborhood, visit a library, go stargazing, or have a movie night at home.
How can an uncle bond with his nephew?
Spend consistent one-on-one time together, show interest in his hobbies, let him teach you things, share your own interests, create traditions, and be someone he can trust.
What should I do with my nephew on the weekend?
Try an outdoor adventure, museum visit, sports activity, cooking project, movie night, game night, day trip, or simple outing for ice cream or lunch.