(Metro News Services) Parents and children benefit when they spend quality time together. According to South University, children feel special when their parents take time to engage in fun activities with them. Routine activities and the occasional unusual outing can make for great bonding experiences.

The opportunities for families to have fun do not stop just because the sun sets. Many different activities are tailor-made for family fun in the evening hours.

Backyard camping

Children can ease into the idea of camping by having the first overnight excursion take place in their own backyard. Set up a tent, light a campfire in the fire pit, and have fun experiencing the sights and sounds of the outdoors at night. With close proximity to the bathroom and an easy means of escaping the outdoors if bad weather sets in, backyard camping can be a safe way to learn some basic camping skills and experience a night under the stars.

Watch a movie

Turn an outdoor (or indoor) area into a theater to enjoy a family-friendly film. Projectors are relatively inexpensive, and some can hook up to smartphones, making them quite portable. Invite extended family and friends over for the ultimate movie night.

Host a scavenger hunt

Everyone in the family can take part in a scavenger hunt. Doing so in the dark can make the hunt a bit more challenging. Young children can be paired off with an older sibling or an adult for safety's sake. Items to collect outdoors can include a garden stone, tree branch, pine cone, clover, or backyard accessory, like a grill brush. Curate the list so items can be found without too much exploring in the dark.

Star gazing

Learn about the galaxy, stars, solar system, and more by finding a dark place away from artificial lights to stare into the sky. Consult books about what you're seeing, or rely on a phone app that can identify celestial bodies and constellations. From meteor showers to eclipses, there are plenty of celestial events to engage stargazers. In 2025, the Parseids Meteor Shower will occur between August 12 and 13. On August 19, Mercury will be at the greatest western elongation, making this the best time to view the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. On September 7, enthusiasts can witness a total lunar eclipse, producing a moon that looks rusty or blood red in color for parts of eastern Europe and Africa, and throughout all of Asia and Australia.

Flashlight tag

A spin on traditional hide and seek, children and adults run around in the evening with flashlights and try to find or rescue team members.

Toasting marshmallows

Fire pits and late summer and early fall evenings make a perfect pair. Add to the fun with marshmallows toasted on skewers and a fixings bar of other sweet treats, like s'mores ingredients or cookies and fruit to enjoy with the melted marshmallows.

Meal competition

Take a page out of the cooking show playbook by pitting the family against one another in a light-hearted manner. With a set list of ingredients, everyone puts a spin on a signature meal made from the same ingredients.