👯♀️ 11 Things To Do With Cousins
🍼 The Newborn Survival Kit
The first six months of parenthood are a blur of exhaustion. Stop trying to tough it out—these are the 5 absolute life-saving baby essentials that experienced moms literally refuse to live without. They will instantly solve your biggest sleeping, feeding, and soothing struggles.
🌙 Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine
The ultimate sleep hack. You can entirely control this white noise machine and dimmable nightlight from your smartphone, meaning you never have to accidentally wake the baby while sneaking back out of the nursery after a 3 AM feeding.
🤧 FridaBaby NoseFrida Snotsucker
It sounds incredibly gross until your baby has their first cold and literally cannot breathe to sleep. Throw away those useless hospital bulb syringes—this doctor-invented tool safely clears congestion in seconds, and yes, the filter absolutely prevents any germs from reaching you.
💧 Haakaa Silicone Manual Breast Pump
Every breastfeeding mom's best kept secret. Simply suction this cheap, cord-free silicone cup to the opposite breast while you nurse to effortlessly catch every drop of liquid gold letdown that would otherwise leak onto your shirt and be totally wasted.
🧴 Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
Forget buying ten different expensive, highly-fragranced creams. This is the only ointment you need. It miraculously cures severe diaper rash overnight, heals cracked nursing nipples, soothes baby eczema, and aggressively protects delicate skin from harsh winter wind.
☁️ Burt's Bees 100% Organic Burp Cloths
You will go through dozens of these a day, so do not cheap out on thin fabric. These thick, ultra-absorbent organic cotton cloths actually catch massive spit-ups before they ruin your only clean outfit, while remaining incredibly soft against your newborn's face.
Alright, fam, let’s be real. Cousins are basically your first best friends, built-in confidantes, and sometimes, your alibi when things get a little wild at family gatherings. But let’s face it, sometimes the “What should we even do?” question hits harder than a rogue dodgeball at the annual picnic. Fear not, because I’ve rounded up the absolute best ways to turn those cousin meetups from awkward small talk into legendary memories. Prepare for some serious bonding, a few laughs, and maybe a little friendly competition.
1. Host a Theme Night Extravaganza
Ditch the mundane movie night and crank up the creativity. Pick a super fun theme – think 80s neon, Y2K throwback, or even a fancy masquerade. Everyone dresses up, the food matches the vibe, and the playlist is absolutely on point.
Pro tip Make a DIY photo booth with props for epic selfies that will flood your feeds. This isn’t just a party; it’s an instant vibe setter that encourages everyone to get playful and embrace their inner costume designer.
2. Conquer an Escape Room Together
Put those shared brain cells to the ultimate test. Nothing says “family bonding” quite like frantically searching for clues and solving puzzles under pressure. You’ll either emerge victorious, high-fiving all around, or at least realize who the real genius (or delightful chaos agent) of the group is.
Pro tip Assign roles like “clue reader” or “puzzle solver” before you even step inside to streamline the chaos. It’s an adrenaline rush that forces teamwork, which is basically what family is all about.
3. Plan a Progressive Dinner Party
Why eat at one house when you can eat at three (or more!)? Each cousin hosts a different course: appetizers at one place, the main dish at another, and dessert at a third. It’s a culinary adventure without the restaurant bill, and a great excuse to visit everyone’s digs.
Pro tip Encourage specific dietary requests beforehand so no one is stuck with just a bread roll. This keeps the party moving, showcases different cooking styles, and ensures everyone gets to play host.
4. Organize a Retro Game Tournament
It’s time to dust off those old consoles and settle some long-standing scores. Think classic Mario Kart, a Street Fighter showdown, or even a cutthroat board game like Monopoly. Bragging rights are the ultimate prize, and the nostalgia factor is off the charts.
Pro tip Create a bracket system for maximum competitive drama and a clear path to victory. It’s hilarious, brings out everyone’s inner child, and fuels some good-natured sibling rivalry.
5. Go Thrifting and Style Each Other
Unleash your inner fashionistas, or at least laugh hysterically at some questionable choices. Set a budget, hit up some local thrift stores, and challenge each other to create the most outrageous or surprisingly chic outfits. Prepare for some truly unique ensembles.
Pro tip Take turns picking out an item for someone else to try on; it gets wild and unpredictable. This is creative, budget-friendly, and provides endless photo opportunities and belly laughs.
6. Master a New Skill Together
Learn something new without the pressure of a classroom. Sign up for a pottery class, a beginner’s cooking workshop, or even an online coding tutorial. Shared learning experiences are prime bonding material, and you might even discover a hidden talent.
Pro tip Pick something slightly outside everyone’s comfort zone for an extra layer of fun and shared vulnerability. You’ll walk away with a cool new skill and a unique story to tell.
7. Embark on a Local Photo Scavenger Hunt
Turn your neighborhood or local park into your personal playground. Create a list of quirky things to find and photograph – like “a dog wearing a sweater,” “the weirdest street art,” or “a sign with a funny typo.” The first team back with all the pics wins.
Pro tip Add a “wildcard” item that’s super hard to find for an extra challenge. It gets you out and about, encourages exploration, and results in some truly hilarious photo evidence.
8. Have a DIY Spa Day
Because self-care is always better with your favorite people. Gather all the essentials: face masks, an array of nail polishes, cucumber slices, and some chill background music. It’s a low-key way to relax, unwind, and catch up without any pressure.
Pro tip Whip up some homemade scrubs using sugar, olive oil, and essential oils for a truly bespoke pampering experience. It’s relaxing, intimate, and perfect for spilling all the tea in comfort.
9. Volunteer for a Cause You Care About
Give back to the community and bond over doing some good deeds. Find a local charity, an animal shelter, or a community garden that needs a helping hand. Doing something meaningful together feels even better and creates lasting memories.
Pro tip Research a few options beforehand and let everyone vote on their preferred cause. It’s fulfilling, creates meaningful shared experiences, and shows you’re not just about fun and games (mostly).
10. Stage Your Own “Chopped” Challenge
Test your culinary creativity under some serious pressure. Grab a few random, maybe even weird, ingredients from the pantry or grocery store and challenge each other to create a dish. Judges (or just you guys) decide the winner, based on taste and presentation.
Pro tip Set a strict time limit and a secret ingredient reveal halfway through for maximum drama and hilarity. It’s messy, often hilarious, and you might actually discover a hidden chef among you.
11. Go Stargazing and Share Stories
Get away from the constant glow of screens and look up. Find a spot far from city lights, bring blankets, snacks, and a mellow playlist. Share old family stories, talk about your dreams, or just enjoy the quiet awe of the universe together.
Pro tip Download a stargazing app to help identify constellations and planets. It’s peaceful, reflective, and perfect for deep conversations and reconnecting on a personal level.
🧩 The Toddler Sanity & Learning Kit
Toddlers are tiny tornados. Instead of turning on the iPad in a moment of desperation, these 5 open-ended toys and clever tools foster independent, screen-free play while simultaneously saving your house from milk spills and crayon disasters.
🧱 Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Building Set
The undeniable king of open-ended play. It is the one single toy that a 2-year-old and a 10-year-old will both happily play with for an hour straight. They develop spatial reasoning, math skills, and independent focus—worth absolutely every penny.
🥛 Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cups
Stop wiping up milk puddles. These genius, dentist-recommended cups allow kids to drink from anywhere around the rim like a real glass, but they instantly seal themselves the second the child stops drinking—even if they drop it on the floor.
🎧 Yoto Mini Kids Audio Player
The ultimate distraction for car rides or quiet time without the guilt of handing over a glowing screen. Kids control it completely by inserting physical cards to play audiobooks, music, and educational podcasts completely independently.
🧹 Melissa & Doug Wooden Cleaning Set
Toddlers desperately want to do exactly what you do. This kid-sized, highly durable wooden sweeping and mopping set redirects their chaotic energy into productive, confidence-building life skills while you actually get the real cleaning done in peace.
🎒 Montessori Travel Busy Board
The secret to surviving restaurants and airplanes with a two-year-old. Packed with buckles, zippers, shoelaces, and snaps, this soft, lightweight 'briefcase' develops critical fine-motor skills and keeps busy little hands occupied for surprisingly long stretches.
Conclusion
So there you have it, your cousin crew’s new playbook for epic times. Ditch the boring small talk and dive into experiences that’ll have you laughing, learning, and making those “remember when” stories that last a lifetime. Because let’s be real, these are the people who get you, even when no one else does. Go make some magic, you wild things!
