Over 80 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids

Looking for fun things to do with kids at home when you're stuck inside? We gathered creative ideas from parents into this big list of fun indoor activities for kids and families.

Whether you're looking to entertain a toddler or school-age kids, there are plenty of unique things to do that will keep everyone happy. Many of these ideas are easy and free. They're perfect summertime, snow day, or rainy day activities for kids.

Try a few out and let us know what you love! Vote for your favorite fun things to do indoors with kids and add your own ideas to the list.


 

    Listen to an Audiobook

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    Kelly R. said:  Choose a family friendly audiobook and listen together.

    Work on Activity Books

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    Kelly R. said:  Educational, creative or silly activity books for kids will keep their young minds and hands busy.

    Watch a Family Movie

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    Kelly R. said:  Pick a favorite family movie and cozy up with blankets, pillows and popcorn for a fun rainy day activity.

    Build a House of Cards

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    Shila said:  Using a traditional deck of cards and steady hands, build up a house of cards! There are a few different methods to choose from. Tip: for extra traction, lay a paper tower in between levels.

    Learn to Draw

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    Shila said:  Sketch each other, or take advantage of step-by-step instructions like the ones at Easy Drawing Tutorials. Anyone can sketch! Pick a character to draw, and challenge your family to an art contest. These types of educational websites are excellent learning resources for all ages, too.

    Practice Tongue Twisters

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    Kelly R. said:  Even easy tongue twisters will be a fun challenge for all ages!

    Take a Bath

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    Kelly R. said:  Bored kids? Just add water! Swimsuits on or off, load up the bubbles and bath toys, and let them play until their toes are all wrinkly. Bath bombs or smaller pool toys can also add to the fun!

    Make a Secret Handshake

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    Kelly R. said:  Whether silly and simple or totally elaborate, come up with a series of claps, snaps, wiggles and shakes to make your family's own signature secret handshake.

    Pillow Sumo

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    Shila said:  Safely stuff pillows under your shirts to inflate your bodies into fluffy, stuffy sumo wrestlers. Have a safe and unique wrestling match in your living room!

    Family Trivia Game

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    Alexandra F. said:  Create and play a game of family trivia! Think of different questions to learn more about a person, like favorite flavor of ice cream or dream vacation destination. Then, take turns guessing the answers for everyone in the family. It’s a fun way to see how well you know one another, and learn about each other, too!

    Let Your Kids Do Your Hair

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    Kelly R. said:  And if you are feeling really brave, let them do your makeup!

    Have a Spa Day

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    Kelly R. said:  Candles, spa music, foot soaks, face masks, nail polish...whatever makes you feel pampered!

    Play Classic Card Games

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    Kelly R. said:  A lot of great card games can be played with just a traditional deck, no special games needed.

    Tell Jokes

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    Kelly R. said:  Shake off the cabin fever with a good laugh at a list of funny jokes for kids.

    Paper Plate Balloon Tennis

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    Katie G. said:  This fun game can be played indoors or outdoors. All you need is a stick (or ruler), paper plate, tape and a balloon. Make your "tennis rackets" out of the plate and stick and use the balloon as your "tennis ball". Count how many times you can hit it up in the air for a fun game by yourself or grab a partner and some more supplies and hit it back and forth.

Primary photo:   Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.