After years of trying different family bonding activities at home, I’ve landed on a few fun ways to help us actually connect and grow closer.

6 fun family bonding activities at home: TL;DR

1. Game night with Volley Games

What it does: Voice-controlled games on your smart TV that turn regular evenings into epic ones.​

Who it’s for: Families who want to bond over shared jokes, music, and friendly competition.​

My family bonds fastest when we’re all yelling answers from the couch. Volley Games lets us jump into Jeopardy!, Song Quiz, Wheel of Fortune, and Guess the Emoji without having to learn complicated rules.

I love that my kids, my partner, and even tech-shy relatives can all play together just by using their voices.​

Key features

• Runs on Roku, Fire TV, LG, and Samsung smart TVs, so I can usually bring it up on whichever TV we gather around.​
• Voice-powered gameplay means we shout answers or sing into the remote instead of passing controllers.​
• Includes recognizable TV-style games and music quizzes that feel familiar right away.​
• Works for solo practice or full family tournaments in the same living room.​

Pros

• Feels like a live game show in the house, which instantly changes the mood from “we’re bored” to “we’re on stage.”​
• Gives every family member a chance to shine, whether they’re good at songs, words, or trivia.​
• Reduces the “phone in hand” problem because everyone needs to focus on the TV together.

Cons

• Requires a compatible smart TV and internet connection.​
• Some family members might need one quick round to get comfortable with using their voice to play.

Pricing

Volley offers a 7‑day free trial, then a $12.99/month subscription to unlock its full TV game library on that platform (includes all supported games).​

Bottom line

Volley game nights are my favorite at-home bonding activity because they bring everyone together in the same place, reacting to the same surprises. In one evening, we collect more inside jokes and shared stories than we would from a whole week of background TV.​

2. Card and board game circle

What it does: Classic card and board games that bring everyone around a table for shared laughs, strategy, and conversation.

Who it’s for: Families who want to reconnect in-person and play games together.​

Pulling out cards or board games is what I do when I want to hear full stories instead of one-word answers.

My family slips into stories about school, work, and memories while we shuffle, deal, and move pieces around the board. The games give us something to focus on together, which makes the talking feel natural.​

Key features

• Easy to adapt to your family’s ages and energy, from simple card games to longer strategy games.​
• Portable, so we can clear the table or move to the floor without much setup.​
• Offers built-in moments to cheer for each other and practice losing gracefully.

Pros

• Creates a predictable ritual that everyone can look forward to each week.​
• Encourages patience, turn-taking, and problem-solving in a low-risk environment.​
• Allows grandparents or older relatives to take the lead in teaching their favorite games.

Cons

• Can get repetitive if we never rotate in new games.
• Disagreements over rules can cause tension between very competitive players.

Pricing

Costs vary depending on the games you buy, but basic decks and family classics are widely available at modest prices.​

Bottom line

A simple card or board game circle helps my family slow down and actually talk. Those small conversations and shared wins add up to a strong sense of togetherness over time.​ For more tech-centric families, there are plenty of game ideas without board games that give the same bonding feeling in front of the TV.

3. Family “Compliment Circle” ritual

What it does: A short, structured moment where each person shares one specific, genuine appreciation for every other family member.

Who it’s for: Families who want emotional bonding that feels doable and not overly formal.​

Compliment circles sounded cheesy to me at first, but they have become one of the fastest ways for my family to feel closer.

We sit in a circle, pick a direction, and each person says one thing they appreciated about that person’s actions, effort, or character that week. It’s short, sometimes a little awkward, and surprisingly powerful.​

Key features

• Works with small kids (“I liked when you played with me”) and adults (“I noticed how you handled that difficult situation”).​
• Attachable to existing routines like Sunday dinner or the end of game night.​
• Focuses on specific behaviors, which makes compliments feel more real.

Pros

• Builds trust and safety; people begin to feel seen and appreciated.​
• Helps kids learn how to give and receive kind feedback in a concrete way.​

Cons

• Some family members may feel shy at first.
• Requires consistent modeling so it doesn’t slide into jokes or backhanded comments.

Pricing

Compliment circles generally only cost a few minutes of everyone’s attention.​

Bottom line

This ritual gives my family a simple, repeatable way to say “I see you.” Over time, those small, specific compliments become some of the strongest bonding threads in our home.​

4. Make it a karaoke night

What it does: Turns your living room into a mini stage where everyone gets a chance to sing along.

Who it’s for: Families who bond best by being a little silly together, especially if some people like music and singing but don’t always speak up in conversations.

Some of my favorite at-home bonding nights have started with, “Let’s try a song.” Once the first person braves the microphone (or remote), the rest of my family usually follows.

We mix classic karaoke tracks across genres, so everyone feels involved. Sometimes, we'll swap out the traditional version for Volley's K​araoke on Roku when we want to compete for who can keep pitch and land lyrics the best.

Key features

• Works with simple setups like YouTube-style lyric videos, basic karaoke apps, or a soundbar and TV.
• Volley on Roku adds structured karaoke where pitch and lyrical accuracy determine score.
• Easy to scale for all ages by rotating between full-song karaoke, duets, and lighter “name that tune” rounds (which Volley’s Song Quiz is perfect for!).

Pros

• Lets each family member show a different side of their personality through song choices.
• Unlimited songs at your fingertips means everyone can get a song they're familiar with.

Cons

• Some people feel nervous singing alone and may need group songs or duets to warm up.
• Volume can be an issue in apartments or late at night, so timing matters.

Pricing

Standard karaoke is usually free or based around your setup (e.g., microphone, speakers). Volley’s Karaoke will require a Roku TV device, and after the 7-day free trial, a paid subscription of $12.99/month for full access (subscription includes all supported games).​

Bottom line

Karaoke nights turn my living room into the kind of space where it’s normal to laugh at missed notes and cheer for surprise stars. Mixing genres and decades of music makes the whole night feel inclusive and genuinely bonding.​

5. Family vision board or goal-mapping session

What it does: A creative session where you gather images, words, and ideas to map out what you want your family life to look like in the coming months or year.

Who it’s for: Families ready to talk about hopes, routines, and shared plans in a visual, relaxed way.​

Vision board nights help my family move from “we’re just surviving” to “we’re steering this together.”

We spread out magazines, printed words, or digital images, and everyone adds pictures that represent what they want more of. These usually include things like game nights, travel, quiet reading time, or outdoor adventures.

Then we talk about 1 or 2 simple steps we can take to move in that direction.​

Key features

• Can use poster board, in a shared notebook, or with a digital collage.​
• Encourages kids to articulate what matters to them in home life and family time.​
• Works well once or twice a year as a reset ritual.

Pros

• Makes invisible hopes and preferences visible to everyone.​
• Creates a physical reminder you can hang up and revisit.

Cons

• Requires enough emotional safety for honest conversation.
• Can feel abstract if you don’t also choose 1–2 concrete follow-up actions.

Pricing

Paper, glue, and a few magazines or printed images are usually enough, keeping the cost low.​

Bottom line

Family vision boards give my home a shared “North Star.” Instead of guessing what everyone wants, we build a picture of it together, which is bonding in itself.​

6. Group trivia and quiz showdown

What it does: A family trivia session using question lists, homemade quizzes, or TV-based trivia games.

Who it’s for: Families who enjoy lighthearted competition and showing off what they know.​

Trivia nights help my family bond because they reveal everyone’s secret strengths. One person rocks geography, another destroys pop-culture questions, and someone else comes alive when classic TV shows or music come up. We play with teams so younger kids can partner with adults and feel included.​

Key features

• Easy to run with printed lists, homemade questions, or interactive TV trivia via games like Jeopardy!​
• Customizable categories so you can include family history, inside jokes, or shared interests.​
• Flexible format with short rounds on weeknights or longer tournaments on weekends.

Pros

• Strengthens communication as team members discuss possible answers.​
• Creates iconic “remember when you guessed that?” stories that last through the ages.

Cons

• Highly competitive relatives may need clear ground rules.
• Very young kids can get frustrated if questions are too hard.

Pricing

Basic trivia can be free using online lists or homemade decks. Interactive TV trivia, like what you'll find with Volley Games, may have subscription costs depending on the app you choose.​

Bottom line

Group trivia showdowns give my family a fun way to cheer for each other’s brains. The laughter over wrong answers is as much a bonding moment as the ones where we nail a tough question together.​

Which fun family bonding activity at home should you choose?

You should choose the bonding activities that work best for your family’s environment.

The one I rely on most is a game night with Volley Games on smart TV. It pulls everyone to the same spot and gives us shared highs, groans, and plenty of laughs.

When we want a quieter connection, we rotate through the others so our time together doesn’t feel like a repeat of the night before.​

Enjoy more family bonding with Volley Games

Making Volley part of your family bonding activities at home turns your TV into a hub for together-time instead of background noise. Voice-powered games (using the remote or paired smartphone as a mic) mean nobody is stuck explaining rules, and everyone gets to jump straight into playing together.​

On Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, and LG TVs, Volley brings recognizable hits like:

• Jeopardy! for classic clue-and-question trivia
• Song Quiz for a fast name-that-tune battle
• Wheel of Fortune (on Roku) for spin-and-solve word puzzles
• Guess the Emoji (on Roku) for a quick visual puzzle game
• Karaoke (on Roku), where everyone belts out their favorite tunes

Our titles are familiar enough for grandparents yet fun enough for kids and teens. It makes bridging gaps easier without forcing anyone into an activity they dislike.​

You can start with a 7‑day free trial and then decide whether the $12.99/month subscription fits your family’s rhythm and bonding plans. When your goal is to feel closer without leaving home, swapping passive scrolling for an active Volley session can change the whole vibe of your evening.​

FAQs

What is the best fun family bonding activity at home for big groups?

The best fun family bonding activity at home for big groups, in my experience, is a Volley Games TV game night. I love watching my sister yell Jeopardy! clues, my kids race in Song Quiz, and my parents crack up at Guess the Emoji instead of scrolling on their phones.

Can these family bonding activities include girlfriends?

Yes, these family bonding activities can absolutely include girlfriends. Some of my favorite memories are inviting my girlfriend into game nights, story sessions, and karaoke rounds, so it feels like she’s part of the family bond we’re building.

How do you keep kids and teens engaged during at-home bonding time?

The way I keep kids and teens engaged during at-home bonding time is by rotating activities often. I switch between active play, creative projects, and different Volley games like Jeopardy! on LG TV, so nothing feels stale and everyone gets a turn to shine.

How can I find the Volley Games app on my smart TV?

You can find the Volley Games app on your smart TV by opening the app store, searching for “Volley,” and then downloading it. I like how once it’s installed on Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, or LG, I can launch Jeopardy! or Karaoke in just a few clicks.