Looking for ways to keep kids entertained indoors? Whether it’s a rainy day or you simply need ideas to inspire creativity, here are 50 fun and engaging indoor activities that will keep children busy and happy. From classic games to modern tech like Fishy, there’s something for every child to enjoy!
Cardboard Dollhouse Craft
Gather some cardboard boxes, scissors, markers, and hot glue to create a charming DIY dollhouse for small puppets. Start by cutting the cardboard into various shapes for walls, floors, and the roof. Use hot glue to securely attach the pieces together, building the structure of the dollhouse. Add rooms, windows, and doors by cutting out sections, and decorate the interior with markers or craft paper to design wallpaper, furniture, and rugs. Kids can add extra details like stairs or a rooftop garden, creating a cozy little home for their puppets to play in!
Fishy: Bring Your Coloring to Life!
Fishy is a unique app that takes coloring to the next level. Kids can download and print fish-themed coloring pages, color them, and then upload their creations via a mobile phone. The artwork transforms into a vibrant fish that swims in an animated tank, displayed on the TV or mobile phone, making it a magical blend of art and technology. Click here for more details.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt - Police Squad
Dress your kids up in their police officer costume and hide some of their toys around the house. Then, "report" to the household "police" that the toys have gone missing, saying something like, "They were last seen where we keep the keys." Let the little detectives investigate and solve the mystery! For an improved experience use walkie-talkie.
DIY Science Experiments
Try simple at-home science experiments like creating a baking soda volcano or making a rainbow with Skittles.
Build a Fort
Grab some blankets and pillows and build a cozy fort in the living room. Don’t forget to bring snacks!
DIY Slime
Make homemade slime using simple ingredients like glue, baking soda, and contact solution. It’s messy fun! Here’s a guide: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/homemade-slime/
Puppet Show
Use socks or paper bags to create puppets, and let the kids put on a show for the family.
Indoor Obstacle Course
Use cushions, chairs, and toys to set up an indoor obstacle course. Time each other and see who completes it the fastest.
DIY Tie-Dye
Create colorful tie-dye shirts or accessories using fabric dye and white T-shirts.
Baking Together
Bake cookies, cupcakes, or simple bread with your kids. Let them decorate the treats once they’re done. here's how: https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/healthy-sugar-cookies/
Dance Party
Turn on some music and have a dance-off in the living room.
DIY Board Games
Have the kids design their own board game using paper and markers. They can invent rules and play it afterward. I would start with "Snakes & Ladders".
Lego Building Challenge
Set a theme (like castles or spaceships) and have your kids build Lego creations around it.
Balloon Volleyball
Use a balloon and a makeshift net (like a piece of string) to play volleyball inside.
Paper Airplane Competition
Make paper airplanes and see whose can fly the farthest.
Homemade Playdough
Make playdough from flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Kids can mold it into all sorts of shapes.
Puzzle Time
Pull out a jigsaw puzzle and have the family work together to complete it.
Create a Collage
Gather old magazines, scissors, and glue to make creative collages.
Story Time
Choose a favorite book and read it aloud, or let the kids take turns narrating a story.
Art Station
Set up an area with crayons, markers, paints, and paper for freehand drawing or guided art projects.
Yoga for Kids
Follow a kids’ yoga video online for a fun and relaxing exercise.
Movie Marathon
Have a movie marathon with a favorite film series. Don’t forget the popcorn!
Sock Puppets
Create sock puppets and act out a fun story.
DIY Musical Instruments
Make instruments like a drum from a pot or a shaker from a bottle filled with rice.
Charades
Play a fun game of charades with the family.
DIY Bracelets
Make friendship bracelets using colorful threads or beads.
Fashion Show
Let the kids put together fun outfits from their wardrobe and hold a fashion show.
Origami
Learn how to fold origami animals or shapes using online tutorials like this one: https://www.origamiway.com/very-simple-origami-for-kids.shtml
Indoor Bowling
Set up “pins” using plastic cups or bottles and roll a soft ball to knock them down.
Sticker Art
Let kids create their own sticker scenes using stickers and construction paper.
Flashlight Tag
Turn off the lights and play flashlight tag in the house.
Build with Magnets
Magnetic tiles or blocks are a great way to build fun structures indoors.
Create a Time Capsule
Put together a time capsule with drawings, letters, and small items to open in the future.
Card Games
Play a classic card game like Go Fish, Uno, or War.
Marble Run
Use cardboard tubes, paper, and tape to create a fun marble run.
Create a Family Tree
Help your kids trace their family history by drawing a family tree.
Bake-Off Challenge
Host a mini bake-off challenge with your kids and see who can come up with the best cupcake design.
Window Painting
Use washable paint to create artwork on windows that can easily be cleaned off later.
Indoor Picnic
Lay out a blanket and have a pretend picnic indoors with sandwiches and snacks.
Write a Letter
Encourage your kids to write a letter to a family member or friend.
DIY Bath Bombs
Make colorful bath bombs using baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils. here's an example: https://abeautifulmess.com/homemade-bath-bombs/
Photography Session
Let the kids use an old phone or camera to take pictures around the house and create their own photo album.
Paper Mâché
Get creative with paper mâché and make bowls, animals, or masks.
DIY T-Shirts
Use fabric markers or paint to design and decorate old T-shirts.
Indoor Gardening
Grow small plants or herbs indoors with your kids and teach them about caring for plants.
Sea-Land Game
Place hoops on the floor to represent "land" and leave the space outside the hoops as "sea." One child acts as the leader and shouts commands like "sea" or "land." When "sea" is called, everyone must jump out of the hoops, and when "land" is called, everyone jumps back into a hoop. It's a fun way to keep kids active!
Back-to-Back Puppet Grab
Two kids sit on the floor, about 10 feet apart, with their backs facing each other. In the middle, exactly between them, is a puppet they both like. When the parent blows a whistle or claps their hands, the kids quickly turn around and race to grab the puppet. The first child to reach the puppet and hold it wins. This game is fast-paced and fun, testing both reflexes and speed, while adding a little friendly competition!
DIY Shadow Puppets
Set up a light source (like a lamp) and hang a white sheet to act as a screen. Have your kids create shadow puppets using their hands or cut-out shapes, and let them put on a puppet show by casting shadows onto the sheet.
Balloon Racing Track
Tie a string between two points in the house, about 1 meter high and 3 meters long. Tape a small paper loop around each balloon and thread the string through the loop, creating a "track" for the balloon. Set up two or more tracks, and have the kids hold their balloons at one end. When they release them, the balloons race along the string. The first balloon to reach the end of the track wins!
Tissue Paper Drop Game
A parent stands on a chair in the living room, holding two tissue papers, one in each hand. Below, two kids eagerly wait for the parent to release the tissues. As soon as the parent lets go, the tissue papers float and drift slowly toward the ground. The kids must move quickly to catch the tissues before they hit the floor. If a tissue reaches the ground without being caught, that player loses. It's a simple, fun, and fast-paced game that tests reflexes and coordination!
From engaging in Fishy’s interactive fish tank to exploring creativity through DIY crafts, these activities are sure to provide hours of fun while helping kids learn and grow. Whether you’re aiming for quiet time or physical fun, this list will inspire smiles and adventure!