Finding family activities and events can be challenging, especially when you’re juggling work, school, and daily life. Whether you’re looking for a weekend outing or planning a vacation, having a reliable tool to discover interesting things to do with your family can save you time and effort. Over the years, I’ve come across a range of apps that help families, like mine, find events, activities, and even spontaneous things to do. In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the best apps for finding family activities and events, highlighting their features, benefits, and any unique aspects that make them stand out.
Table of Contents
Why Use Apps to Find Family Activities?
Before diving into specific apps, it’s worth asking why apps are a good solution for discovering family-friendly activities. Simply put, apps provide a level of convenience and real-time information that is hard to beat. With apps, you can:
- Discover New Activities: I find that apps often highlight events I wouldn’t have thought of or known about otherwise.
- Plan and Save Time: Apps allow me to quickly find family-friendly options without spending hours researching online.
- Customization: Many apps allow for personalized recommendations based on interests, location, and age group, ensuring that the activities fit everyone in the family.
- Instant Updates: Events can change last-minute, but apps keep you informed, so you’re never left wondering about cancellations or schedule changes.
Now, let’s dive into the best apps I’ve used for finding family activities and events.
1. Eventbrite
Overview:
Eventbrite is one of the most popular event management apps and is excellent for finding family-friendly activities. I’ve used Eventbrite to locate everything from local craft fairs to educational workshops for kids. The app allows users to search for events based on location, category, and date.
Features:
- Search Filters: You can filter events based on interests like arts, food, outdoors, and more.
- Ticketing: Eventbrite handles ticketing, which is convenient when I need to reserve spots for family activities.
- User Reviews: I appreciate reading reviews from others to get a sense of what to expect at an event.
Pros:
- Wide range of activities from local community events to large festivals.
- Easy to use interface and reliable ticketing system.
- Allows event organizers to create family-friendly activities.
Cons:
- Some events may not be specific enough to be categorized as “family-oriented.”
- Limited to the events already listed by organizers.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Eventbrite | Other Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Event Variety | High | Varies by app |
| Location-based | Yes | Yes |
| Ticketing | Yes | No |
| Reviews | Yes | Limited |
2. Family Locator & Family Organizer
Overview:
This app isn’t focused purely on finding activities, but it’s incredibly helpful for managing family schedules. It helps families coordinate who is attending what event and when. For example, if my family plans to visit a museum and attend a sporting event later in the day, this app helps us avoid overlaps.
Features:
- Shared Calendar: I can share activities, vacations, or simple outings with family members.
- Location Sharing: It helps me keep track of where family members are in real-time during events.
- Safety Alerts: This feature is handy in case of emergencies or if someone gets separated during an event.
Pros:
- Helps keep track of family plans in real-time.
- Great for large families where everyone needs to stay on the same page.
- Offers location tracking, so I can make sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be.
Cons:
- Doesn’t focus on event discovery, just on coordination.
- Might not be ideal for families who prefer more casual event management tools.
3. Meetup
Overview:
Meetup is a fantastic app for connecting with local communities, and I’ve found it useful for discovering family-friendly activities. It’s not strictly designed for family events, but many user-organized groups host family outings, playdates, and parent-child events that cater to a wide range of interests.
Features:
- Group-Based Activities: Meetup groups often organize local family activities like hiking, picnics, and playgroups.
- Location-Based: I can easily find local meetups based on my area.
- Interest-Based: Whether it’s a specific hobby or educational activity, Meetup has groups that organize events based on shared interests.
Pros:
- Good for finding niche family events that might not be listed on other platforms.
- Allows families to find like-minded individuals to share experiences with.
- Free to use.
Cons:
- Limited to user-organized events, so availability can be inconsistent.
- Less polished than other apps with a more formal event structure.
4. KidPass
Overview:
KidPass is an excellent app for parents looking to find activities for their kids. What makes KidPass unique is its subscription model, which gives you access to thousands of kid-friendly activities. I’ve used it to explore new classes, camps, and even virtual events for my children.
Features:
- Subscription Service: Pay for a subscription, and you get access to discounted or free activities across a wide range of categories, including arts, sports, and education.
- Activity Reviews: Detailed reviews from other parents help me decide if an activity is a good fit.
- Reservation System: Easy to book events in advance, which is great for planning ahead.
Pros:
- Provides discounts and access to activities you wouldn’t normally find.
- Wide selection of events tailored to children.
- Allows for advanced bookings, which makes it easier to plan.
Cons:
- Subscription fees can be a downside for some families.
- Limited to activities available through the KidPass network.
5. Yelp
Overview:
While Yelp is primarily a platform for discovering restaurants, I’ve found that it’s also an excellent resource for family events, especially for finding local activities. Yelp provides reviews on venues that host family events, like museums, parks, and even indoor play centers.
Features:
- User Reviews: I trust Yelp’s review system to help me pick family activities that are tried and tested.
- Event Listings: Many family-friendly venues list their events on Yelp.
- Search Filters: I can filter my search to focus on kid-friendly or family-friendly activities.
Pros:
- Reviews give me a good idea of what to expect.
- Comprehensive search for both restaurants and activities.
- Includes user-generated content, so there’s a wider variety of activities listed.
Cons:
- Less focused on dedicated event planning, more focused on venue discovery.
- Not every event is listed on Yelp.
6. Google Calendar & Google Search
Overview:
Google Calendar is useful for scheduling, while Google Search helps with event discovery. I’ve used these two in tandem to organize and find family events, especially since Google Search pulls from a wide range of sources, and Google Calendar allows me to add events easily.
Features:
- Search Engine Integration: Google Search helps me quickly find events in my area.
- Calendar Integration: Google Calendar allows me to create a family-specific calendar, complete with event details.
- Location-Based Results: Helps me find nearby events with ease.
Pros:
- Integrated with other Google services, making it easier to manage family schedules.
- Free to use.
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer a community-driven or event-specific platform like Meetup or Eventbrite.
- More generalized search rather than tailored family-friendly event listings.
Conclusion: Which App Is Right for You?
Choosing the right app for family activities depends on your needs. If you’re looking for a broad range of activities, Eventbrite and Meetup are excellent choices. For families with young children, KidPass provides a lot of value in terms of finding kid-friendly events and activities. If coordination and communication within your family are a priority, apps like Family Locator & Family Organizer will help you manage schedules and track locations. For simpler searches and reviews, Yelp is a great option.
Each of these apps offers a unique benefit depending on the type of family activity or event you’re seeking. I recommend exploring a few to see which one fits your family’s needs and makes planning your next adventure just a bit easier.
