Stuck indoors with kids? Discover 20 fun & easy indoor activities from blanket forts to DIY slime to keep them entertained without leaving home. No stress, just creativity!
By Sara M.
Let’s be real, keeping kids entertained indoors can feel like a full-time job. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or just one of those lazy days when no one feels like going out, the “I’m bored!” chorus can start before breakfast. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea, or heck, even juice), and check out these 20 super fun things you can do with your kids right at home. No stress, no fancy stuff required. Just a little imagination and a willingness to get a bit silly.
1. Indoor Obstacle Course
Move over, living room it's time to become an action zone. Use pillows, chairs, blankets, boxes whatever you’ve got. Create a crawl-under tunnel, a hop-over hurdle, and a zigzag run. Time each other or make it a no-pressure freestyle fun fest. Bonus: it burns off a ton of energy.
2. Bake Something Delicious
Cookies? Cupcakes? A giant chocolate chip pancake? Yes, yes, and yes. Kids love helping in the kitchen (even if it gets messy). Let them measure, pour, stir, and decorate. Plus, the reward is sweet and edible.
3. Make a Blanket Fort
Honestly, is there anything more magical than building a blanket fort? Drape blankets over chairs, couches, or tables. Add pillows, fairy lights, and some books or a tablet for movie time. Boom instant cozy hideaway.
4. Have a Dance Party
Crank up the music and let loose. Whether it’s Disney tunes, pop songs, or 80s hits, dancing around the living room is a guaranteed mood booster. Teach your kids the Macarena or let them show you their TikTok moves. Just keep it moving!
5. Try Simple Science Experiments
Think baking soda and vinegar volcanoes, or growing crystals with salt and water. Kids love watching science “magic” happen and you don’t need a degree or a lab coat. YouTube is your friend here if you want visual guides.
6. Indoor Camping
Set up a small tent (or just a blanket teepee), grab sleeping bags, and roast marshmallows over the stovetop. Tell stories with a flashlight, play nature soundtracks, and pretend you’re deep in the forest. The best part? No bugs.
7. Play Hide and Seek
Simple, classic, and always fun. You’d be surprised how many hiding spots are in your house. Pro tip: kids love when you hide too and they laugh even harder if your feet are accidentally sticking out from under a blanket.
8. Make DIY Slime or Playdough
It’s messy. It’s gooey. It’s strangely satisfying. Homemade slime or playdough only takes a few ingredients, think glue, borax (or baking soda), and food coloring. Or go the edible route with flour and water dough. Either way, it keeps kids busy for ages.
9. Do a Puzzle Together
Jigsaw puzzles are oddly calming, even for little ones. Whether it’s 25 pieces or 1,000, puzzles teach patience and problem-solving and give you some peaceful bonding time. Add snacks and soft music for extra chill vibes.
10. Create an Art Station
Pull out the crayons, markers, watercolors, stickers, and paper. Let the kids go wild with their creativity. Give them themes (“draw your dream house” or “a robot dinosaur”) or just let it be a free-for-all. Don’t forget to hang their masterpieces on the fridge!
11. Read Aloud or Start a Family Book
Pick a chapter book and read a bit each day together. Even older kids enjoy being read to it’s cozy, relaxing, and a great way to unplug from screens. Plus, you can make voices for different characters and really get into it.
12. Do a Toy Clean-Up Game
Okay, hear me out. Cleaning up toys doesn't have to be a battle. Turn it into a race. Use a timer or a fun song and see who can clean up the most. Offer a small reward like picking the next game or a sticker. Kids are weirdly into this when it feels like a challenge.
13. Watch a Movie... but Make it Special
Turn your living room into a mini movie theater. Let the kids pick a film, pop some popcorn, make tickets, and even “sell” snacks from the kitchen. Wear pajamas, bring in cozy blankets, and enjoy the show.
14. Play Board Games or Card Games
From Candyland to Uno to old-school Go Fish, games are awesome for family bonding. Even the sore losers (we all have one!) come back for round two. Got older kids? Try Codenames, Clue, or Exploding Kittens.
15. Try Some Yoga or Kid Workouts
Kids’ yoga videos (like Cosmic Kids Yoga) are a total gem. They get kids stretching, moving, and breathing in a chill, fun way. Or try kid-friendly fitness challenges. Think jumping jacks, silly walks, or a “plank-off” with the grown-ups.
16. Scavenger Hunt Indoors
Make a list of things to find around the house: “something red,” “something soft,” “something that smells nice.” Add silly clues or challenges like “do five jumping jacks before the next item.” Hours of fun and you can customize it by age.
17. Write and Perform a Play or Puppet Show
Help your kids write a short script, assign characters, and get creative with costumes or sock puppets. Rehearse and then put on the show for the rest of the family (or just your pet). It’s like Broadway, but with more giggles and less pressure.
18. Cook a Themed Meal Together
Pick a theme like “Mexican Night” or “Breakfast for Dinner” and get the kids involved in cooking and setting up. Make it a full experience with decorations, themed music, or dressing up. Taco night never felt so fancy.
19. Create a Time Capsule
Grab a shoebox and fill it with notes, drawings, small toys, or newspaper clippings. Add a letter to your future selves. Seal it up, hide it somewhere, and decide when you’ll open it again. Kids love the idea of sending messages to the future.
20. DIY Spa Day
Who says kids can’t enjoy a little self-care? Paint nails, make face masks with yogurt and honey, soak feet in warm water with bath salts, and light a (safe) candle. Relaxing music, giggles, and cucumber slices on the eyes-pure joy.
Keeping It Real
Look, you don’t have to do all of these. Or even most of them. Some days, the biggest win is just getting through the day without someone coloring on the wall or melting down because their banana broke in half. And that’s totally fine.
The point is, you’ve got options. And the best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune or leave the house to make magical memories with your little ones. Whether you're building a blanket fort, whipping up pancakes, or pretending the couch is a pirate ship, you're doing amazing.
Also, a little reminder: if the air’s feeling a bit stuffy after all that indoor fun, it might be time to look into duct cleaning services. Clean air equals happy lungs—especially when you’re all cooped up together.
Bio: Sara is a seasoned financial expert with decades of experience as a manager in the export industry. She leverages her extensive knowledge to craft insightful blog posts, providing valuable guidance to entrepreneurs and business owners navigating the complexities of running a successful business.