10 Magical Ideas for Your Ultimate Harry Potter Family Night
My second child is reading Harry Potter, and we’re watching a movie after every book that she reads. (The 4th one is next!) It’s been one of the most fun things I’ve done with the kids.
With these regular events, we’ve explored truly unique activities. So, here are 10 spellbinding ways to spice up your next Harry Potter family movie night!
I’m so grateful they’ve enjoyed these books as much as I did as a kid. It feels like sharing a little piece of my childhood with them.
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1. Make Magic Wands
Set up a craft station and make magic wands using things like chopsticks, hot glue, and paint.
Or, try making magic wands you can eat. We did this in the picture below.
2. Sort Yourself Into Houses
There are lots of different quizzes you can take to see which house you belong to. We did this one. It was fun to find out!
3. Wear Harry Potter Pajamas
After we found out our Hogwarts houses last year, I decided to put themed Hogwarts pajamas in the Christmas Eve box. They were easy to find on Amazon. The kids loved them and now randomly wear their Hogwarts house pajamas all the time.
4. Discuss the Characters: Book Vs. Movie
My favorite thing about having the kids read the books is that it inspires a conversation about what the characters look like in your imagination vs the actors in the movies.
It sparks a fun debate!
5. Grab Magical Snacks
I found this “Butterbeer” at our local grocery store. They can’t specifically say it’s for Harry Potter (because of copyright), but it’s definitely inspired by the movies and books. It has also been easy to find chocolate frogs and every flavor jelly beans.
6. Play Harry Potter Trivia
This Harry Potter trivia game is easy and something my kids ask to play. They love testing what they know about the magical world. And also being surprised by new things.
7. Play Harry Potter This or That
Compare two different things and see what the kids say:
- Sorting hat or Marauder’s Map?
- Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley?
- Butterbeer or pumpkin pasties?
Grab the free printable Harry Potter This or That >>
8. Play a Game of Chess (Or Wizarding Chess)
My son loves Chess, so this was a great twist on the classic game. Plus, every time we get it out we think of the movie scene.
9. Make Your Own Potions
Grab different ingredients and see what your kids come up with. They can even put them in jars and label them “Love Potion.”
10. Harry Potter Brain Teasers
If you’re feeling ambitious, set up a series of clues or puzzles for kids to do a scavenger hunt. Or you could turn it into an escape room. They must solve the movie scene challenge in order to escape!
What’s Next?
Above all, don’t overthink it. A family night is supposed to be fun – for everyone. Let yourself escape into the world of witchcraft and wizardry too. You’ll love the quality time with the kids.
Have you been to Universal Studios to see the Harry Potter world? What did you think? It might be on my bucket list!
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