When the weather outside isn’t cooperating, or you simply want to switch up your routine, fun indoor activities for kids can be a fantastic way to keep kids engaged, creative, and entertained.
The best part?
You don’t need fancy supplies or expensive gadgets—just a bit of creativity and everyday household items.
Below are some unique and interesting ideas for fun indoor activities for kids, each with a recommended age range, a list of supplies, and the ideal number of participants to ensure maximum enjoyment!
We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Indoor Activities for Kids
1. DIY Indoor Treasure Hunt
Age Range: 4–10 years
Supplies:
- Paper and pen (to create clues)
- Small prizes or toys
- Envelopes or paper bags (to hide clues)
- Optional: A timer or stopwatch
Number of Kids Needed: Works best with 1–5 kids
Overview:
Transform your living room or any indoor space into a treasure trove of fun! Write clues that lead from one location to the next, culminating in a “treasure” (a small prize or treat). Or better yet, let kids write the clues and design treasure hunts for one another!
Customize the difficulty of the clues based on the age group, and enjoy watching the excitement build as the hunt unfolds.
2. Sock Puppet Theater
Age Range: 3–8 years
Supplies:
- Old socks (clean and mismatched pairs work best)
- Googly eyes, fabric scraps, buttons, yarn, and markers
- Hot glue or fabric glue
- A makeshift stage (a table draped with a sheet or a cleared space on the floor)
Number of Kids Needed: 1–4 kids
Overview:
Encourage imaginative play by creating sock puppets from old socks and various craft supplies. Invest in a low temp hot glue gun that is safe for kids to use – it really does make projects like this so much more doable!
Once the puppets are ready, set up a mini theater where kids can put on their own shows. Whether it’s a retelling of a favorite story or an entirely new adventure, this activity promotes creativity, storytelling, and fine motor skills.
Plus, it’s a great way to repurpose items you already have at home!
3. Indoor Obstacle Course
Age Range: 5–12 years
Supplies:
- Pillows, cushions, or small mats
- Chairs and tables
- Blankets or towels
- Tape (to mark start and finish lines)
Number of Kids Needed: Ideal for 2 or more kids (but can also be done solo)
Overview:
Clear some space in the living room and design an obstacle course using everyday items. Arrange pillows for “stepping stones,” chairs for weaving, and blankets for crawling under. Once kids get the hang of the set up, leave them to create their own obstacle courses!
Challenge the kids to navigate the course as quickly as possible, adding a competitive edge with a stopwatch.
4. DIY Bowling Alley
Age Range: 3–10 years
Supplies:
- 10 empty plastic bottles (cleaned and partially filled with a bit of water for stability)
- A soft ball (small enough for indoor use)
- Blue painters tape (to mark the bowling lane on the floor)
Number of Kids Needed: Works well with 1–4 kids
Overview:
Set up a mini bowling alley in a hallway or open area!
Use the plastic bottles as pins and a soft ball for rolling. Kids can take turns rolling the ball to knock down the “pins,” practicing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Adjust the distance based on the kids’ ages to ensure everyone can participate and have fun.
5. Art Scavenger Hunt
Age Range: 4–10 years
Supplies:
- A list of items or themes to find (e.g., something red, something round, something fuzzy)
- Paper and pencils for drawing or note-taking
- Markers, crayons, or paints (optional, for later artistic expression)
Number of Kids Needed: Ideal for 2–6 kids
Overview:
Combine art and exploration with an art scavenger hunt around your home.
Provide a list of items or themes, and have the kids search for objects that match the descriptions. Once they’ve gathered their “treasures,” encourage them to create an art piece incorporating the items they found.
This activity fosters observation skills, creativity, and a love for art.
Thought about fun indoor activities for kids for a few seconds
6. Build a Blanket Fort
Age Range: 3–10 years
Supplies:
- Blankets and sheets
- Cushions and pillows
- Chairs or a low table
- Fairy lights (optional, for a cozy touch)
Number of Kids Needed: Perfect for groups of any size
Overview:
Turn your living room into a magical fortress by building a blanket fort. Use chairs as supports, drape blankets over them, and pile on the cushions inside to create a comfortable hideaway.
This is an excellent way to stimulate imaginative play, reading, or even a cozy movie time. Encourage the kids to help design and build their own unique fort—there are no rules, just creativity!
7. Living Room Mini Concert
Age Range: 4–12 years
Supplies:
- Household items to serve as makeshift instruments (pots and pans for drums, spoons as drumsticks, glasses filled with water for a xylophone effect)
- Music player (optional, for background tracks)
- A designated “stage” area
Number of Kids Needed: Any number—solo performers or a group performance
Overview:
Transform your living room into a concert hall by letting kids create their own music. Use household items as instruments and encourage them to perform a mini-concert!
For an added twist, record the performance and have a fun playback session afterward!
8. DIY Board Game Creation
Age Range: 6–12 years
Supplies:
- Cardboard or poster board
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Game pieces (coins, buttons, or small toys)
- Paper for rules and dice (or use a digital dice app)
Number of Kids Needed: 1–4 kids
Overview:
Encourage strategic thinking and artistic expression by having the kids design their own board game. Let them decide on the theme, rules, and challenges.
They can create the board on cardboard and craft their own game pieces from household items. After the game is complete, it’s time for a playtest session—an excellent way for kids to see their ideas come to life while honing their planning and problem-solving skills.
9. Recycling Sculptures
Age Range: 4–12 years
Supplies:
- A selection of clean recyclable items (cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, paper tubes, tin cans, etc.)
- Tape (masking tape works well)
- Scissors
- Markers, stickers, or paint for decorating (optional)
Number of Kids Needed: 1–3 kids
Overview:
Encourage creativity by turning everyday recyclables into art! Bonus: this activity keeps kids engaged for a LONG time.
Gather a variety of clean recyclable items from around the house and challenge the kids to create unique sculptures.
Kids can use tape and scissors to cut, shape, and join materials, while additional decorating supplies allow them to add a personal touch to their creations.
10. Yoga & Mindfulness Session
Age Range: 4–12 years
Supplies:
- Yoga mats or soft towels
- Calm, soothing music (optional)
- A quiet, clutter-free space
- Yoga cards or a yoga video (optional)
Number of Kids Needed: Perfect for solo practice or small groups (1–5 kids)
Overview:
Transform your living room into a tranquil retreat by guiding kids through a gentle yoga session paired with mindfulness exercises.
Use simple, fun poses and breathing techniques to help them learn about body awareness and relaxation. Use poses you know or utilize a deck of yoga pose cards or a kid yoga video – there are lots of great options on YouTube.
11. Stop-Motion Animation Workshop
Age Range: 7–12 years
Supplies:
- A smartphone or tablet with a stop-motion animation app (many free options are available)
- Small toys, clay figures, or even handmade paper cutouts
- A tripod or a makeshift stand to hold the device steady
- A plain backdrop or simple stage area (a sheet or a section of a table works well)
Number of Kids Needed: Ideal for solo projects or small groups (1–4 kids)
Overview:
Unleash the inner filmmaker by creating a stop-motion animation!
Kids can build scenes with their toys or crafted characters, then use a mobile app to capture frame-by-frame movements.
Once the animation is complete, have a mini “film premiere” to celebrate their hard work and imagination.
14. Storytelling & Creative Writing Corner
Age Range: 6–12 years
Supplies:
- Notebooks or loose sheets of paper
- Pencils, pens, and markers
- Storytelling dice (optional but great for sparking creativity!)
- A cozy corner with comfortable seating
- Optional: Costume pieces or props to inspire character creation
Number of Kids Needed: Works perfectly as a solo activity or in a small group (1–4 kids)
Overview:
Set up a dedicated “story corner” where kids can dive into the world of creative writing.
Encourage them to craft their own short stories or comic strips and even illustrate their adventures. Kids can roll storytelling dice to help spark their creativity – once dice are rolled, they can be arranged in any order to create a story!
For added fun, they can dress up as their favorite characters or use props to act out scenes before or after writing.
- Check out more fun literacy activities for kids!
15. DIY Mini Pizza Art Creations
Age Range: 6–12 years
Supplies:
- Premade pizza dough or English muffins
- Tomato sauce
- Shredded mozzarella or your favorite cheese
- A variety of toppings (sliced veggies, pepperoni, olives, pineapple chunks, etc.)
- Baking sheet and parchment paper
- Oven (adult supervision required)
Number of Kids Needed: Works great with 1–4 kids
Overview:
Turn dinner into a creative art session by letting kids design their own mini pizzas!
Provide pre-made dough or English muffins as a base, and let the children spread the sauce, sprinkle the cheese, and arrange the toppings to create edible artwork. Or make it gluten-free using rice crackers!
They can form fun patterns, faces, or even abstract designs with the ingredients.
16. Read Aloud Chapter Book: Family Story Time Adventure
Age Range: 6–12 years
Supplies:
- A captivating chapter book (classics like Charlotte’s Web, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, or any age-appropriate novel of your choice)
- A comfortable reading nook or a circle of cushions
- Optional: snacks
Number of Kids Needed: Best enjoyed in a group setting of 3–8 kids or during a family read-aloud session
Overview:
Create a cozy storytelling experience by reading aloud a chapter book that sparks the imagination. Choose a story that’s engaging and age-appropriate, and designate a special “story time” area with comfy seating and soft lighting.
You can read the story or have an older child pick a chapter book to read to a sibling!
17. DIY Cupcake Decorating Extravaganza
Age Range: 6–12 years
Supplies:
- Pre-baked cupcakes (store-bought or homemade)
- An assortment of frostings in various colors
- Sprinkles, edible glitter, fruit slices, chocolate chips, or other edible decorations
- Spoons, small spatulas, and piping bags (optional)
- Plates or cupcake liners
Number of Kids Needed: Works great for 1–4 kids
Overview:
Let kids become their own pastry chefs by transforming plain cupcakes into edible masterpieces!
Set up a decorating station with different frosting colors and a variety of toppings. Encourage each child to design a cupcake using creative patterns, faces, or even abstract art with edible decorations.
Not only does this activity help develop fine motor skills and creativity, but it also offers a tasty reward at the end.
18. Create Your Own Puzzle
Age Range: 7–12 years
Supplies:
- A piece of sturdy cardboard (or an old cereal box)
- Art supplies such as markers, crayons, or paints for creating a picture
- A printed photo or a collage (optional)
- Glue or tape (if using a printed image or collage)
- A pencil for sketching puzzle-piece outlines
- Scissors or a craft knife (adult supervision required)
Number of Kids Needed: Ideal for 1–3 kids
Overview:
Combine art and problem-solving by having kids design and craft their own puzzles!
Start by decorating the cardboard with an original drawing, collage, or a printed photo. Once the artwork is complete, flip the board over and draw out interlocking puzzle-piece shapes. With the help of an adult if needed, carefully cut out the pieces.
Mix them up and challenge each other to reassemble the puzzle!
19. Board Game Bonanza
Age Range: 4–12 years (and adaptable for family play across all ages)
Supplies:
- A selection of board games from your collection (classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, or newer favorites)
- A large table and comfortable seating
- Optional: A snack station with drinks and light treats
Number of Kids Needed: Ideal for 2 or more players (perfect for solo play or team-based rounds)
Overview:
Clear off a table in your living room, gather a diverse collection of board games from your shelf, and invite everyone to join in the excitement.
With games that cater to different age groups and skill levels, you can easily mix strategy challenges with light-hearted, family-friendly fun. Adapt rules as needed to keep the playing field even, and encourage team play when there’s a mix of ages.
Pair the session with a few snacks and a comfortable setup, and you have the perfect recipe for laughter, friendly competition, and quality family time.
20. Sticker Crafts
Age Range: 3–10 years
Supplies:
- An assortment of stickers (shapes, characters, patterns, etc.)
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Optional: Glue, glitter, or other embellishments for extra flair
Number of Kids Needed: Ideal for solo projects or small groups (1–4 kids)
Overview:
Unleash creativity with a fun sticker crafts session! Provide kids with a variety of stickers and let them transform plain sheets of paper or cardstock into vibrant, personalized art pieces.
They can create scenes, decorate cards, or even design their own sticker books.
- Check out all my favorite sticker craft ideas!
21. Indoor Dance Party & Freeze Dance
Age Range: 3–10 years
Supplies:
- A music player with upbeat, kid-friendly tunes
- An open space for dancing
- Optional: A disco ball or colorful lights to set the party mood
Number of Kids Needed: Works well for any number (solo dancing or a group party)
Overview:
Turn your living room into a dance floor with an indoor dance party!
Play a mix of energetic songs and let the kids boogie down. If you have a Yoto player, kids can help you turn their favorite dance songs into a yoto card!
To add a fun twist, incorporate Freeze Dance—when the music stops, everyone must freeze in place. It’s a fantastic way for kids to express themselves through movement and rhythm.
- Check out these additional fun music and movement activities for kids!
22. Indoor Photobooth Fun
Age Range: 4–12 years
Supplies:
- A smartphone or digital camera
- A backdrop (a plain wall, a sheet hung up, or a decorated space)
- A box of fun props (hats, glasses, scarves, costume jewelry, etc.)
- Optional: A printer for instant photo prints
Number of Kids Needed: Ideal for individual creativity or small groups (2–6 kids)
Overview:
Set up an indoor photobooth where kids can dress up in fun props and strike silly poses. Create a designated backdrop area and let their imagination run wild as they take pictures.
Later, kids can even create a mini album or collage with their favorite snapshots to commemorate the fun.
23. Friendship Bracelet Making
Age Range: 6–12 years
Supplies:
- Embroidery floss or colorful yarn in various shades
- Scissors
- Optional: Beads for added decoration
- A simple guide or video on basic bracelet patterns
Number of Kids Needed: Great for solo projects or small groups (1–4 kids)
Overview:
Introduce kids to the art of friendship bracelet making. Provide a variety of colorful floss or yarn and let them experiment with different patterns and designs.
They can also add beads or charms to personalize their creations.
24. Write Haikus
Age Range: 6–12 years
Supplies:
- Paper or a journal
- Pens, pencils, or markers
- Optional: A dictionary or thesaurus for inspiration
Number of Kids Needed: Ideal for individual work or small groups (1–3 kids)
Overview:
Introduce kids to the art of concise poetry with haikus—a traditional Japanese form that uses a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
Encourage children to observe the world around them, pick a theme (such as nature, feelings, or a favorite season), and craft their own mini poems.
25. Magazine Collage
Age Range: 5–12 years
Supplies:
- Old magazines or printed images
- Safety scissors
- Glue sticks or non-toxic craft glue
- Large sheets of paper, poster board, or cardboard
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils for extra decoration
Number of Kids Needed: Works well as an individual project or in small groups (1–4 kids)
Overview:
Unleash artistic expression by having kids create a magazine collage. They can cut out pictures, words, or patterns from old magazines and arrange them into a themed collage—whether it’s a mood board, a dream destination, or an abstract art piece.
It’s a great way to repurpose old magazines into something creative and personal!
26. Would You Rather Questions
Age Range: 6–12 years
Supplies:
- A list of “Would You Rather” questions (prepared in advance or printed on cards)
- A comfortable space to sit in a circle or around a table
- Optional: Paper and pencils if kids want to write down their thoughts or create their own questions
Number of Kids Needed: Best for group settings (3 or more kids) but can be played in smaller groups or with family members
Overview:
Stimulate critical thinking and conversation with a game of “Would You Rather.”
Check out 99 of my favorite “Would you rather…” questions or have kids come up with their own!
It’s a simple yet effective way to get kids laughing and talking, and can easily be adapted to different age groups by tailoring the questions.
27. Loose Parts Play
Age Range: 3–10 years
Supplies:
- A collection of loose parts such as bottle caps, fabric scraps, blocks, sticks, buttons, and recycled household items
- A designated play area with a mat or open space
- Optional: Containers or bins to sort and organize the loose parts
Number of Kids Needed: Perfect for solo exploration or collaborative play (1–4 kids)
Overview:
Loose Parts Play is an open-ended, imaginative activity where everyday items become the building blocks for creativity. Provide kids with a variety of items that have no set purpose and let them explore how these objects can be arranged, built, or transformed into something new.
The beauty of loose parts play lies in its versatility: the only limit is the child’s imagination!
- Check out my complete guide on loose parts play!
Indoor activities for kids offer many opportunities for fun, learning, and creativity—often with little more than everyday household items and a spark of imagination.
Whether you’re on a rainy day or simply looking for a break from screen time, these fun indoor activities for kids are sure to provide hours of enjoyment and memorable moments. So gather the supplies, rally the kids, and let the indoor adventures begin!
Feel free to share your own twists on these activities or additional ideas in the comments below.
Happy playing!
No Comments