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How to Set Up a Shared Google Calendar for Your Family

Child pointing at wall-mounted family calendar display in a busy hallway — the schedule is always visible
When the family schedule is always visible, kids can check it themselves

This guide shows you how to create a shared Google Calendar in under 2 minutes. Once set up, everyone in your family can add events from their phone — and you'll finally stop asking "Wait, what time is soccer practice?"

1

Create a New Google Calendar

Don't share your personal calendar. Create a dedicated one for family events.

  1. Go to calendar.google.com
  2. Open the calendar menu in the left sidebar
  3. Click the + button next to "Other calendars"
  4. Select "Create new calendar"
  5. Name it: Family , Family (shared) or your family surname
  6. Optionally add a description
  7. Click Create calendar
Pro tip
Keep it simple. One shared calendar is better than three that nobody uses.
Open the calendar menu and click the + button
Open the calendar menu and click the + button
Name your calendar and click 'Create calendar'
Name your calendar and click 'Create calendar'
2

Share the Google Calendar with Others

First, get to your calendar settings:

  • 1A. If you closed the Settings from Step 1: Click the ⋮ (three dots) next to your calendar in the left sidebar (the dots appear when you hover over it), then select "Settings and sharing".
  • 1B. If you're still in Settings from Step 1: Just select your new calendar in the sidebar.

Then share it:

  1. Click "Share with specific people and groups"
  2. Enter each family member's email address
  3. Choose the right permission level:
    • See all event details — read only
    • Make changes to events — read/write
    • Make changes and manage sharing — read/write/share
  4. Click Send

Each person gets an email. Once they accept, the calendar appears on their phone automatically.

Important
Do this while everyone's in the same room. "I'll send it later" usually means never.
Open calendar settings and add people to share with
Open calendar settings and add people to share with
Pro tip
The one rule that makes shared calendars work: If it's not on the calendar, it doesn't exist.Doctor appointment? Calendar. Soccer game? Calendar.This eliminates "I didn't know about that!" forever.

You're Now Organized — Here's How to Make It Effortless

With Steps 1 and 2 complete, your family has a shared calendar. Everyone can add events from their phone. That alone puts you ahead of most families.

But here's the thing: a calendar buried in an app still gets forgotten.

What if the schedule was just there — on the wall, glanceable, always up-to-date? What if your kids could check it themselves instead of asking you five times?

3

Display Your Calendar Where Everyone Can See It

Family Calendar transforms your Google Calendar into a beautiful always-on display.

Family Calendar 5-day view with weather forecast and countdown sidebar
A 5-day rolling view with weather, countdowns, and emoji-based event recognition

Here's what makes it different:

🎯 Categorize Events with Emojis — No Color-Coding Required

Forget fiddling with calendar colors. Just add an emoji to any event title and it appears as a large, beautiful visual marker. Swimming lessons become instantly recognizable. School events pop. Date nights stand out.

Calendar event showing swimming lessons with a swimmer emoji for instant recognition
Add 🏊 to 'Swimming lessons' and it becomes instantly recognizable

⏳ Countdown to What Matters

Add the ⏳ emoji to any event and it appears in a countdown sidebar. Birthdays, holidays, vacation — your family always knows what's coming up.

Countdown sidebar showing upcoming events like birthdays and school holidays
'How many days until my birthday?' — now they can check themselves

🌤️ Weather at a Glance

See the forecast right on your calendar. Know whether to pack sunscreen or rain boots before anyone asks.

Weather forecast widget showing hourly conditions
Morning forecast helps you dress the kids right the first time

📺 Works on Any Screen

Display your calendar on whatever you have:

  • Smart TV — Use the built-in browser on any smart TV
  • Old tablet — Repurpose that iPad collecting dust
  • Portable monitor + Raspberry Pi — For the tech-savvy family
Family Calendar displayed on a smart TV in the living room
Any smart TV with a browser can display your family calendar
Portable monitor with Family Calendar mounted on fluted wood panel wall in a family hallway
A portable monitor + mini computer creates a dedicated family command center

Ready to See It in Action?

Head over to calendar.norfeldt.com, connect your Google Calendar, and watch the magic happen.

Great plans — even to just try it out:

Yearly
$10/year
cancel anytime
FREE
Sign in every 48h
ONCE
$67
one-time
ORGANIZE YOUR FAMILY
LET'S GO!

Summary (TL;DR)

Task How
Create calendarcalendar.google.com → + → Create new calendar
Share calendarCalendar settings → Share with specific people
Add emoji to eventInclude emoji in event title (e.g., "🏊 Swimming")
Add countdownInclude ⏳ in event title
Display on TVOpen calendar.norfeldt.com in your TV's browser