“Go outside and play!” It’s every parent’s dream – the kids get some fresh air, you have a little time to yourself, and everyone is happy.
Sometimes though, it’s not possible to send the kids out to play, and you have to make the best of indoor activities. Maybe its a rainy day, maybe you don’t have a yard, or maybe COVID-19 has taken over and you are stuck inside all. day. every. day. For your sanity, please adopt some of these fun & free activities and add them to your arsenal. Just remember…you’ve got this!
>> Want even more ideas? Check out these 16 Indoor Easter Activities for Families & Kids too!
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
This can be as simple as creating a checklist of things for your children to find around the house. A fun spin – ask them to take a photograph with each item.
Or, maybe you’d like to take advantage of the work someone else already did to create a list. Here is a great FREE indoor scavenger hunt checklist.
Make Homemade Play-Doh
A classic. Generation after generation loves Play-Doh. You may have some store-bought Play-Doh, or you can make your own homemade playdough.
This homemade playdough recipe is both easy to follow and includes ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen!
Host a Talent Show
Microphone optional. Passion required.
Whether your kids sing a song, perform a magic trick, or tell a few jokes, everyone is bound to be entertained! Occupy some more time by setting the stage and creating some homemade costumes.
Learn a New Skill on YouTube
Camp in the Living Room
Whether you create a fort from blankets and pillows or set up an outdoor pop-up tent, who says you can’t camp from the comfort of your living room?
Don’t forget to break out the marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate so you can make homemade s’mores! Here is a quick recipe for making s’mores indoors, plus a few other special s’mores recipes.
>> When you can get outside, go camping outdoors too and check it off The Ultimate Summer Bucket List!
Create a Musical Instrument from Recyclables
Clean up a few empty plastic bottles, metal cans, and cardboard boxes. Allow your kids to embrace their creativity to create a few new musical instruments.
If they need some ideas to get started, here are 52 Homemade Musical Instruments to Make.
Conduct Blind Taste Tests
Maybe your kids will discover they actually like broccoli! Even if they don’t, you’ll all still have a blast choosing foods for each other to taste blindfolded.
Choose different tastes and textures to mix it up. Try things like chocolate chips, ketchup, limes, jelly, or a baby spinach leaf. Get ready for lots of laughs!
Make a Time Capsule
As a child, did you ever write to your future self and then get to open that letter as an adult? It can be such fun to relive a part of your history!
In the time capsule, you can include a handwritten note to your future self, recent photographs, school papers/art projects, a list of goals, or anything special to your child!
Stage a Puppet Show
This is two parts of fun – creating puppets AND putting on a show! Now, if you don’t have the materials or interest in creating puppets, you could certainly use stuffed animals or dolls.
Bonus time: Build a theater or makeshift stage. Get creative!
Create a Secret Code and Write/Decode Messages
The complexity of the secret code may vary based on the age of your child, but it can be such fun not only writing the code but giving it to someone to decode too!
Check out 5 Secret Codes for Kids to Write a Coded Letter!
Write Letters to Relatives
Not only will your child get to practice their writing skills and make someone’s day, but your child just may get to experience the thrill of receiving a letter in return!
Little ones could write a post card or simply draw in a greeting card.
Create an Obstacle Course
I think every adult made some sort of homemade obstacle course as a child. It is a timeless fan-favorite.
Try to not give your kids any ideas – just suggest building an obstacle course! If anything is “off limits” in the house, you may want to provide those guidelines before the constructing begins!
Decorate Cardboard Boxes
Could fun be more simple? Get a cardboard box, some crayons, and set up the kids to create some masterpieces.
If you have a large box, they work as wonderful containment devices for small children too!
Create a New Recipe
There are so many benefits to this sort of experiment!
- Become familiar with the kitchen
- Learn how to make a plan
- Get creative with new ingredients
- Learn from mistakes…because they are inevitable!
>> Now that you are all squared away on indoor activities, check out all our outdoor fun over on The Ultimate Summer Bucket List!
Help out the parenting community by sharing your ideas! Do you have any other easy, unique indoor activities to suggest?
About the Author
Really nice ideas! I will try some for sure! These days i will try some with my 5 years old boy! Thank you!
These are such good ideas. I love the making your own Play-doh. I want to try this with my boys and the ideas around looking YouTube for activities is great too.
These are great ideas! Yes to learning something new on the Tube…Has your child seen on Art for Kids Hub? One of my 6 year-olds favs! Another staple for indoor activities… MAGNATILES. All day. Every day.
theze are wonderful ideas , love them
thank you
These are some awesome ideas and will definitely keep my kids busy. Mull oldest son loves camping in the living room. He has a small Spiderman tent and sets it up every chance he gets.
I think camping in the living room is a timeless activity! I can remember loving it as a kid too.
Love this ideas ! Thank you !
What fun ideas! It’s been a rough year for kids… and parents but these are great ideas.
These are such great ideas that my little boy will love, thank you for sharing
Great ideas! I might have to print this out and stick on the fridge for future reference 😊
What a great list. We love camping in the living room. So fun!