35 Indoor Activities for Kids That Will Keep Them Busy

Looking for some fun and stimulating indoor activities for your kids? Indoor activities with kids can be a challenge when it’s too cold or rainy to go outside. Kids can quickly become bored when cooped up inside and for parents, it can be a challenge to keep them entertained. Younger kids may need more supervision than older ones, but there are plenty of activities that will keep them both busy and happy.

Generally, kids’ indoor activities involve some type of screen time – watching TV, playing video games, or using the computer. While there’s nothing wrong with some screen time, it’s important to provide a variety of activities to balance it out. If you go with some other ideas like a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, cooking, educational games, etc. your kids will have a blast and you’ll be able to relax too.

As well as to improve the child’s strategic skills parents should take care of the physical indoor activities. Kids love doing fun things with a whole family and this will help the parents to spend some quality time with the kids. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of engaging indoor activities that will keep your kids entertained for hours on end. From a classic game to an educational exercise, these activities are both fun and beneficial.

Best Indoor Activities for kids

Although indoor activities for kids during a winter or rainy day help keep them busy. Kids are curious about nature and love exploring their surroundings. That’s why it’s important to have a variety of indoor activities for kids on standby. So you can keep them entertained while you get some things done. The indoor obstacle course is a great way to keep kids active. Set up different obstacles throughout the house, like a couch for them to climb over, a table for them to crawl under, and chairs for them to jump off of. You can also get creative with this and make it into a themed obstacle course. As well below are plenty of other activities that can keep kids busy and entertained and they are:

1. Playing Board games

Board games are a great way to keep kids entertained. They can learn how to take turns, how to lose gracefully, and how to strategize. There are so many different board games out there that there is sure to be one that your kid will love. These indoor games for your older kids can be a great way to keep them busy on a rainy day. This fun activity for kids can also help improve skills like counting, vocabulary, and problem-solving.

2. Dance Party

Dancing is a great way to get kids moving and it’s also a lot of fun. Turn on some music and let your kids dance their hearts out. You can even get creative and do themed dances. Maybe have a princess dance party or a Superhero dance party. To improve your child’s fine motor skills dancing helps with balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. If your child love to do freeze dance or twirl then let them do it because that helps in muscle development.

3. Random painting

This stuck indoors activity for kids is perfect when you have some extra time and some paint lying around. Give your kids a canvas and some paintbrushes and let them go to town. Not only will they have a lot of fun, but they will also be able to create some beautiful pieces of art. This activity can also help improve their artistic skills. These creative ideas for the school child’s age will help to keep their minds active and busy.

4. LEGO Bath

These fun activities for kids will turn a boring bath into an exciting adventure. Add some LEGOs to the bathtub and let your kids go to town. This is a great way to keep them entertained while they are bathing. It can also help improve their hand-eye coordination. You can dress up your child’s LEGO bath with different themes and characters. However, to avoid outdoor activities for kids, be sure to keep an eye on them while they are in the tub. Also, avoid using water altogether and use shaving cream or whipped cream instead.

5. Play with toilet paper rolls

As well as toilet paper towel rolls can be used for other activities like making binoculars or a camera. If you cut a small hole at each end of the tube, your child can look through them to see things far away. You can also make a telescope by taping two toilet paper rolls together and cutting a small hole in one end. Point the hole towards the object you want to see and have your child look through the other end. These stuck indoors activities for younger kids are perfect when you’re running low on ideas.

6. Make Paper airplanes

Wrapping paper or newspapers can also be used to make paper airplanes. This is a classic imaginative play activity that never gets old. Kids can experiment with different designs and see which airplane flies the farthest. You can also have a competition to see who can make the best airplane. Making airplane game ideas is a fun way to keep kids busy indoors. Moreover, on a rainy day, you can make a paper boat. Just fold a piece of paper in half, then in half again, and cut the corners off. Unfold the paper and you will have a boat shape. Tape or glue straw to the front of the boat for a mast, then use another straw as an oar.

7. Play with Stuffed animals

If you have a lot of stuffed animals, this is the perfect opportunity for some imaginative play. Kids can make up stories about their animal friends and act them out. They can also pretend to be the animals themselves and do things like eat, sleep, and play. This can keep kids busy for hours on end and for your whole family, it can be fun and an opportunity to bond. This classic game of indoor activities for kids is perfect for all ages.

8. Puzzle Unwrap

This is a great activity to keep kids busy and quiet. Have them sit in a designated spot with all the pieces of their puzzle spread out in front of them. Then give them a set amount of time (5-10 minutes) to work on putting the puzzle together. Once time is up, they have to stop working on the puzzle and put the pieces back in the box. This indoor obstacle course fun game can be played over and over again. You can also go with a treasure hunt puzzle idea for younger kids. Hide the puzzle pieces around the house and let your kids go on a hunt to find them.

9. Bake Cookies

Baking cookies indoor activities for kids is a great way to get them involved in the kitchen. They can help measure out the ingredients, mix them together, and put them on the baking sheet. You can also get more ideas to make delicious cookies with your whole family. Kids love to eat what they help make and this is the best ideas to get them in the kitchen. When you are stuck inside in bad weather then try this activity with your kids.

10. Can do science experiments

Another one of the great indoor activities for kids is a science experiment. These are a lot of fun and can teach them about the world around them. You can find tons of easy science experiments for kids online. Or, you can buy a kit that has everything you need to do different science experiments. Doing these fun activities on a rainy day is the perfect way to keep kids busy and entertained.

11. Play tape games

This is a great activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Tape down different colors of tape on the floor and have your child walk or crawl on it. This can help improve their balance and coordination. Masking tape or painter’s tape works best for this activity. Tape games indoor activities can help improve skills like balance, coordination, and problem-solving. Furthermore, make sure that the tape is safe for your child to walk or crawl on.

12. Make homemade Play-Doh

Play-Doh is a classic indoor activity for kids. And with a few simple ingredients, you can make your own at home. All you need is flour, salt, water, oil, and food coloring. Mix the ingredients together and cook over low heat until the Play-Doh has thickened. Let it cool and then your kids can start playing with it. You can also add in some scents like vanilla extract or lavender oil to give it a more pleasant smell.

13. Set-up obstacle course games

As mentioned earlier, an obstacle course is a great way to keep kids active indoors. But it’s not just for a rainy day. You can set up different obstacle courses throughout your house for any time of day. You can make the course as easy or hard as you want. And you can change it up every time to keep your child busy and entertained. If you choose an easy project for kids, you can also set it up outside in your yard if the weather is in your favor.

14. Play silly moving games

Kids love to run and jump around, so playing silly moving games is a great way to get them moving. These games are perfect for when the weather is bad and you need to keep the kids entertained indoors. Games like duck-duck-goose, Simon says, and Red Light Green Light are all perfect for getting kids up and moving. For kids who need a little more structure, try playing these games to music.

15. Indoor Scavenger Hunt

This is a great activity for both younger and older kids. Hide different objects around the house and have your kids find them. You can make it into a game by giving them a certain amount of time to find as many objects as they can or you can make it into a race. This is a great way to get kids moving and also helps improve their problem-solving skills. This indoor obstacle course game can be good for you kids’ physical and cognitive development.

16. Decorate Cardboard boxes

Cardboard boxes can be turned into anything like a car, a house, a spaceship. The possibilities with old cardboard boxes are endless. Younger kids will love turning these old cardboard boxes into different objects and playing with them for hours. Your kids burn energy playing outside, so it’s important to have some sedentary activities for kids to do indoors. This activity can keep them entertained for a while and help improve their imagination.

17. Create a reading challenge

If your child loves reading, create a reading challenge for them. This can be a fun way to keep them occupied while also encouraging them to read more. You can set a goal for them to read a certain number of books in a certain amount of time or within a certain subject area. Reading can be great ideas for kids to keep them busy indoors. Moreover, if your child is struggling with a subject in school, you can have them read about it to help improve their understanding.

18. Play dress-up

Dressing up is a classic kid activity that never gets old. Give them a box of clothes, hats, and jewelry, and let their imaginations run wild. They can be anything they want to be – a superhero, a princess, a pirate, or anything else they can think of. Children love playing the dress-up game and it’s a great way to let them use their imagination. You can also get the free printable list on many sites of characters, professions, and outfits. Moreover, you can also make a simple costume by using a large piece of cloth and some safety pins.

19. Build a fort

One of the all-time favorite indoor activities for kids is building a fort. Fort-building provides endless possibilities for imaginative play. All you need is a few sheets, some blankets, chairs, and maybe a table. Kids can use their creativity to come up with all sorts of different forts. They can be princess castles, pirate ships, space stations, or anything they can dream up. You can also go with a soft ball to indoor games with a DIY bat and ball if you want to keep it simple.

20. Can play indoor bowling games

All you need is some plastic cups and a ball. Fill each cup with a different amount of water to represent points, and have your child knock them over with the ball. You can also use other objects like paper cups or small containers to make the game more challenging. While playing this game make sure your kids one foot is behind the line they are bowling from to improve their accuracy. For older children, you can make the game more challenging by adding obstacles in their way.

21. Curl up with movies

A great way to keep your child entertained on a rainy day is to curl up on the couch with some good old-fashioned movies. There are so many great children’s movies out there that both you and your kids will love like cabin fever etc. This is a perfect way to spend some quality time together and relax. Furthermore, movies can also be educational. There are plenty of movies that teach kids important life lessons and morals.

22. Play toy hide and seek

Toy hide and seek is a great game for toddlers. It helps improve their motor skills and encourages them to use their imaginations. Hide some of their favorite toys around the house and have them go find them. You can also make it more challenging by hiding the toys in harder-to-reach places. Therefore, hide and seek can be a fun game for kids of all ages.

23. Play Laundry baskets games

All you need is a few laundry baskets and some balls. Have the kids split into two teams and put one laundry basket at one end of the room and the other at the other end. Then have them take turns trying to throw the balls into the other team’s laundry basket. If you go with this idea, you might want to put a few obstacles in the way, like chairs or tables, so that it’s more challenging. Moreover, this game is great for improving hand-eye coordination skills for your child.

24. Can play Hula hoops

This is a great game to play inside when the weather outside is not cooperating. You will need at least two people for this game. One person will stand in the middle of the hula hoop and the other person will try to throw the ball through the hoop without touching the person in the middle. If you have more than two people, you can add more hula hoops. Using a hula hoop is a fun way to get active and keep your energy up. It’s also great for improving the coordination skills of your child.

25. Make homemade pizzas

Kids love getting their hands messy and what’s more fun than making their own pizza? This activity is simple to do and fun for the whole family. All you need is some dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Let the kids go crazy with their toppings and have a pizza party. However, just like cookies, make sure you supervise the kids while they are cooking their pizzas.

26. Ping Pong long catch games

This fun game is simple to set up. All you need is a ping pong table and some friends. One person serves the ball to their friend who then tries to hit it back over the net. If the ball hits the ground, or if someone else catches it, then that person becomes the new server. This game can be played for as long as you want and is a great way to keep kids active.

27. Indoor hopscotch

Draw a hopscotch board on the floor with chalk and have your kids hop along with the squares. You can also use other objects to represent different squares, like a piece of furniture or an area rug. Hopscotch indoor games are perfect for a rainy day when you want to keep your kids active. Moreover, children love playing this game and you can add new ideas to the routine. Also, can get a free printable list of different ideas for indoor hopscotch.

28. Play Balloon Games

Balloon games are a great way to keep kids active indoors. You can have races, relay races, and even obstacle courses. All you need is some tape or string and some balloons. You can play balloon tennis or balloon hockey classic games with it. Also, get creative and make up your own version of games in your home. To have more fun with this activity, blow up different colored balloons to make it more festive.

29. Can play with Ice

Ice can provide hours of entertainment for kids. They can play with ice cubes in a bowl, make sculptures out of them, or even use them to cool off on a hot day. This is a great activity for toddlers who are just starting to explore their surroundings. It can also help teach them about the properties of water. This activity is perfect for a winter day when the weather outside is too cold to play outside. Ice can also be used in other sensory activities like making dyed ice or using it in a sensory bin.

30. Play with kinetic sand

Kinetic sand is a great indoor activity for kids. It’s a type of sand that doesn’t stick to anything and can be molded into any shape. This is a great activity for toddlers and preschoolers who like to play with sand. It’s also a good way to help them develop their fine motor skills. However, indoor games like this can get a bit messy, so make sure you have a designated sandbox area for your child to play in.

31. Make a Mess

Kids love making a mess. It’s one of their favorite things to do. So let them go wild with some paint, Play-Doh, or even just some water. Just make sure you have some towels nearby to clean up the inevitable mess. This is a great way for kids to explore their creative side and have some fun. Plus, it can be really therapeutic for them to let loose and just go crazy.

32. Make homemade slime

Slime is another great activity for kids that is both fun and messy. Kids love playing with slime because it’s soft and stretchy. Plus, they can make it any color they want. You can buy slime ingredients or make your own with cornstarch, water, and food coloring. This activity is a great way for kids to learn about science. They will learn about the different properties of liquids and how to mix them together to create a new substance.

33 Play would you rather games

Playing “Would you rather” games is a fun way to get kids thinking and can lead to some hilarious discussions. This is a great game for all ages but can be especially fun for younger kids. It’s a pretty simple game. First-person asks the other person a would you rather question and they have to choose one of the two options. However, you can make it more difficult by giving them a choice of three or four options.

34. Make candies

Kids love making things, especially if it’s edible. Making candies is a fun and easy activity that kids will love. You can find recipes online or in cookbooks specifically for kids. This is a great activity to do with your kids on a rainy day. It will keep them busy and they will have something delicious to show for it. However, making candies is a bit of a messy process, so make sure you have plenty of clean-up time set aside.

35. Build a sensory bin

A sensory bin is a great way to keep toddlers entertained. You can fill it with different items that they can explore with their senses. Some ideas are rice, pasta, water beads, foam balls, and cotton balls. This activity is perfect for toddlers who are just learning how to explore the world around them. It can help improve their coordination and sensory skills. Moreover, your child will have a lot of fun playing with this activity.

The Conclusion

Therefore, keeping kids entertained and busy doesn’t have to be hard. With a little imagination, you can come up with all sorts of fun indoor activities for kids. In the above, we shared ideas that should keep your little ones busy for hours on end. From arts and crafts to science experiments, there’s something for everyone on this list of indoor activities for kids. And we are sure that these fun and educational activities will keep kids of all ages entertained and busy. Indoor activities can also be a great way to bond with your children and teach them new things. We hope you enjoyed this list and if you think we have missed any great ideas, feel free to leave a comment below.