A family activity does not have to involve tickets, travelling or a long shopping list. Put some paper and colouring materials on the table and you have the beginnings of a shared adventure.
This simple Sam’s Kingdom activity is designed for mixed ages. Everyone can take part in a different way, and nobody needs to be “good at art”. Set aside a little time that suits your household, with no requirement to finish.
Choose your kingdom together
Start with a question: “If we built a kingdom together, what would it be like?” It might have a library guarded by a dragon, a forest of enormous flowers or a castle where the dogs are in charge. Write down the ideas or let someone draw the first landmark.
Use one large sheet for a shared map, or give each person their own page. Separate pages can work better when people have different ideas or prefer more space.
Give everyone a part they enjoy
- A younger child might choose colours or make broad marks for grass and sky.
- Someone who enjoys detail could design a gate, a coat of arms or a patterned roof.
- A storyteller can name the characters and describe what happens next.
- An adult can draw alongside the family or write down a story that someone dictates.
These roles are suggestions, not rules. Ask before adding to another person’s picture. Joining in can mean watching and chatting rather than drawing.
Make conversation easy
A shared picture gives you something to talk about without needing a long list of questions. Try “I wonder who lives here” or “What should we call this place?” Then allow time for an answer. Silence is welcome too; some people prefer simply working alongside each other.
If someone dislikes a mark they have made, offer choices: turn it into something else, try a fresh sheet or carry on. You do not need to fix their picture for them.
Finish with a tiny exhibition
Invite each person to share one detail they like, if they wish. Ask permission before displaying or sharing their work. A folder for unfinished pictures can make it easy to return to the kingdom another day.
You could add a new landmark next week, invent a short story about a character or swap between colouring, building and outdoor adventures. The activity can grow with your family’s interests.
Keep it comfortable and manageable
Choose suitable materials, leave enough elbow room and make stopping easy. A short, pleasant session is enough. The aim is time spent making and imagining together, rather than a perfect display or another task to complete.
For more family play ideas, explore UNICEF Parenting’s Playbox. For an introduction to colouring and mark making, read Why colouring deserves a place in your child’s day.
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