We have focused on indoor activities that require little to no prep, using items that parents commonly have around the house like pasta, paper, rice, strings, water, and other everyday household items. That means that you can scan this list anytime and find something fun for the kids to do.
Look over these ideas with the kids and see which ones seem like fun. Some of them will keep your kids occupied for hours!
Better still, they'll be working on fine motor and gross motor skills, which are important to growing and developing children. Have fun with these indoor activities!
WE HAVE ALSO WRITTEN A PRINTABLE LIST OF 60 FUN INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS SCROLL DOWN FOR YOUR COPY!
You might also like to check out these other lists of activities that can be done indoors:
- fine motor activities
- easy science experiments
- paper crafts for kids
- free educational websites for kids
- sensory bins
We also have a list of fun outdoor activities for kids!
Indoor Activities for Kids from Messy Little Monster
Right now with some foods in short supply you might want to skip activities using food (unless you have a stash of out of date pasta or rice!) When we use food for play activities we don't use it once and then throw it away, it often lasts for weeks, months or even years!
Bug Action Movement Cards
When you need a little exercise and can't get outdoors, our Bug Action Movement Cards will help you and your kids get plenty of moving in! And it's way more fun than hopping on a treadmill! You'll have a blast marching like an ant, hopping like a grasshopper, and wriggling like a worm. It's so much fun! (these are available for free right now too using the code - bug)
Homemade Rainbow Playdough
We could all use a little cheering up now and then, and nothing will brighten the kids' day like making our Homemade Rainbow Playdough. You probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen, so you can get started on a batch right away. It's a great activity for learning about how colours mix as well.
Pasta Play Activity
Set your baby or toddler up with this fun Pasta Play Activity. You'll be surprised at how much time they'll spend pushing the spaghetti through the holes in the colander or mixing up some pretend lunch. This is excellent fine motor practice for little ones.
Construction Sensory Bin
Keep those curious toddlers engaged with a Construction Sensory Bin that'll provide hours of play. All you need is your child's construction toys and some cereal to set it up. Kids will love playing with their food and snacking while they push their trucks around, scooping, and moving the cereal.
Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
If you have food colouring, white rice, and vinegar, you have everything you need to get started with our fun Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin. Once the rice is made and dried, add it to a tray or pan along with some of your child's toys, things to scoop with, etc. If stored in an airtight container it will last for years!
Animal Tape Rescue
Tape rescue is a good indoor activity for younger children. Babies and toddlers will love pulling tape from small toy animals to 'rescue' them.
More Fun Indoor Activities for Kids
Hand Washing Sensory Bin
Now, more than ever, kids must practice good handwashing skills. This Hand Washing Sensory Bin from Toddler Approved is just perfect for that! A vinyl tablecloth can make cleanup easy, but you could also set the pan on some towels or in the tub to keep water mess to a minimum.
Spider Web Obstacle Course
Build gross motor skills in a fun way with this Spider Web Obstacle Course from Mama Smiles. The inspiration for this activity comes from Eric Carle's book, The Very Busy Spider. Enjoy a story and a fun activity all in one! Use yarn, thread, fishing line, twine, or whatever you've got on hand!
Chop To It Game
Minute to win it games are a great idea when the kids are stuck indoors. It'll feel like a party! One of the easiest to set up is this Chop To It Game from Happiness is Homemade. All you need are chopsticks, cereal, bowls, and a timer. If you don't have chopsticks, use straws or stirrers instead.
Balloon Tennis
Help the kids get their wiggles out with a rousing game of Balloon Tennis by Little Bins for Little Hands. You've probably got some leftover balloons tucked away from a party somewhere. You'll also need a flyswatter or something like a paddle, cardboard tube, etc., to hit the balloon with.
Indoor Chalk Activity
If you don't mind using chalk on your floor, this Indoor Chalk Activity by Moms and Crafters will engage your child for hours. Draw out your town or a fictional place. Will it have farms? Castles? Oceans or ponds? It's up to you! Then kids can drive their cards or trot their animals along the roads. If you don't have chalk on hand, you can set up a similar activity using painters tape (it peels off easily) or by drawing it out on a large paper, like wax paper, parchment paper, or the back of wrapping paper.
Smoothie Cafe Pretend Play
Help the kids set up a Smoothie Cafe! Not only is this activity by Artsy Momma lots of fun for pretend play, but kids can practice valuable math skills while they serve up their pretend smoothies. This will keep them playing for hours!
Coin Sorting
This Coin Sorting Activity from Rhythms of Play is a Montessori-Inspired activity that encourages children to work independently and develop problem-solving skills. It's great for kids from preschool age onward. Make sure you wash and dry the coins first, and don't do this activity with children who are still putting objects in their mouths.
Dinosaur Dig
If you have cornstarch, water, and dino figures or toy dino bones, you can set up this fantastic Dinosaur Dig for the kids. This activity from Fun Learning for Kids encourages a love of science!
Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting
Do you have some bubble wrap from recent packages or from moving? Wrap it on your kids' feet, lay down a large sheet of craft paper (or even the backside of wrapping paper), and let them stomp and print all over it. They'll love this Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting activity from Mess for Less.
Playdough Cupcakes
Set up lots of beads, buttons, paper, glitter, and other bits and bobs for the kids to make Playdough Cupcakes! This activity from Artsy Momma pairs perfectly with the Camilla the Cupcake Fairy book, so you'll fit in a little reading and a little crafting. If you're doing this with toddlers, you can simply use taste-safe playdough, sprinkles, and edible glitter.
Fridge Door Marble Run
If you have some heavy-duty magnets and cardboard tubes, it's super easy to do this Fridge Door Marble Run activity by Go Science Kids. And if you don't have enough magnets for this, you can simply tape the cardboard tubes to the wall to create a marble run. It's a lot of fun for the little ones! No worries if you don't have marbles; round cereal or bouncy balls work, too.
Paper Cup Stacking
Don't forget the simple activities that can keep kids occupied for hours, like this Paper Cup Stacking activity from Hello Wonderful. You'll be surprised at how high the kids can stack them! Turn it into a game by setting a timer and seeing who can stack their cups the highest before the buzzer goes off.
Painters Tape Jump Boxes
Use painter's tape (or washi tape will work, too), to set up a Jump Box Activity like this one from Mama Papa Bubba. It's a terrific way for kids to burn off some energy when they're indoors.
Pasta Sensory Bin
Another fun activity to do with pasta, this Pasta Sensory Bin from Must Have Mom is so much fun for toddlers and preschoolers. You can even add some bottles of seasonings, like Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, for them to sprinkle over the uncooked pasta. Add colanders, ladles, bowls, etc. for scooping. They can play with this over and over!
Paper Airplanes
Now is the time to perfect your airplane-making technique! This post on How to Make Paper Airplanes That Go Far by TinkerLab offers suggestions to try to improve your planes. Your whole family will have a great time making and testing their planes.
As well as this collection of fun and easy indoor activities for kids we have also written a fun tick list of 60 indoor activities for kids that you can print out. There is also a blank version for you to add your own ideas.
SCROLL DOWN FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS LIST
List of indoor activities for kids
- Make playdough
- Write a story
- Learn a dance routine
- Paint a self portrait
- Help prepare dinner
- Build a den/ fort
- Set up a pretend shop
- Go on a treasure hunt
- Bake cakes
- Play dress up
- Face painting
- Put on a talent show
- Junk modelling
- Make a toy
- Play board games
- Build the tallest tower
- Play hide and seek
- Draw your family
- Have a mini disco
- Write a diary
- Make salt dough
- Write & send a letter
- Have a pamper day
- Make slime
- Sing together
- Watch silly videos
- Play I spy
- Make rainbow rice
- Indoor scavenger hunt
- Do a science project
- Water play
- Make puppets
- Create an obstacle course
- Play charades
- Make paper crafts
- Invent a game
- Learn a new skill
- Make handprint art
- Stir up a magic potion
- Try a new way of painting
- Do a puzzle
- Make a scrapbook
- Play party games
- Draw a map
- Follow a recipe
- Create a secret code
- Craft with stickers
- Make a sensory bin
- Facetime family
- Snuggle up & read
- Make a mask
- Throw balloons
- Make paper chains
- Have a tea party
- Build with lego
- Cut out magazine pictures
- Decorate biscuits
- Watch a movie
- Paint a rainbow
- Make a time capsule
DOWNLOAD YOUR INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS PRINTABLE BELOW
To download this printable list for free click on the link below and use the discount code - indoor. For personal or classroom use only. Not for redistribution. All images are copyrighted. Thank you.
Which of these fun indoor activities for kids will you try with your kiddos this week?
Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube or Subscribe for free email updates!
No comments