Stuck Inside? 50+ Excellent Indoor Activities For Bored Kids

Don’t let bad weather ruin the fun! Crush boredom with this huge list of awesome indoor activities for kids to try at home!

“Let kids be bored. It’s good for them.”

We’ve all heard this advice. But we’ve also heard our kids say, “Mom, I’m bored,” more times than we can count – especially on days when they’re stuck inside.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I whole-heartedly agree that it’s good for kids to figure out how to entertain themselves. After all, it’s not our job to entertain them all the time.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t help them out a little.

No one likes to be bored, and sometimes it’s just hard to come up with any ideas. That’s why I love having a few tricks up my sleeves.

My kids love trying new activities or having a list of ideas to choose from. And I love things that are easy, cheap, and don’t require my constant supervision.

And that’s exactly what this list is. It’s filled with simple and fun indoor activities that keep kids busy and having fun no matter the weather.

This list has become our go-to and has saved us from whining and fighting on hot days, rainy days, snowy days, or even just days when I really need to get things done.

No more trying to come up with ideas on the spot!

53 INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

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1. Fold & fly paper airplanes

Practice making paper airplanes. Or take it up a notch and have a paper airplane flying contest.

2. Measure things in the house

Grab a tape measure and see how long or tall things are throughout the house. Kids can also use a ruler or a stack of medium-sized legos.

3. Play a card game

Play an old favorite, or learn how to play something new!

4. Stack cups

Grab a bunch of disposable plastic cups and make a tall tower. Or learn different ways of cup stacking.

5. Make popsicle stick puppets

Grab some markers, paper, and a glue stick and create some cool characters with popsicle sticks. Or even try one of these popsicle stick crafts.

6. Write cards and letters

Write a letter or draw a picture for a grandparent, friend, or neighbor. People love getting things in the mail!

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7. Play with shaving cream

Grab a few things of shaving cream from the dollar store and hop into an empty shower or tub. Have fun squirting it out and making cool designs.

8. Paint rocks

Find some hand-sized rocks outside. Paint them to resemble silly creatures or try one of these patterns. Then have fun hiding them around the neighborhood or a park for people to find.

9. Make a car or doll wash

Grab some toys that “need” washing. Get them nice and clean in the sink, tub, or in a water-filled bin.

10. Sort Pom Poms

Sort a pile of pom poms by color. Make it a challenge by using small salad tongs to pick them up!

11. Create Silly Commercials

Try and sell a product (real or made up) to a pretend audience. Film it for a fun keepsake.

12. Write and Act Out A Play

Create characters, a plot and a script and act out a play. Then perform it for someone!

13. Make something with a cardboard box

Cardboard boxes have endless possibilities. Use some imagination and creativity to see what it can become.

14. Trace shadow outlines

Grab a toy, a piece of paper and a pencil. Put the toy at the edge of the paper in front of a light source and trace the outline of its shadow. Take it a step further and color in the outlines for cool art.

15. Color in coloring books

Open up a coloring book and get creative. These coloring books are our favorite.

16. Sort beans

Put a variety of dried beans in a bowl. Then sort them into piles. Make it a challenge by using small salad tongs or chopsticks to pick them up.

READ NEXT: How To Teach Kids To Clean Up Epic Messes

17. Make playdough creations

Get creative with playdough by trying one of these activities. Or try making homemade playdough.

18. Play with stickers

Pick up some stickers on the next Dollar Store trip. Put them in a notebook, or write a story and use them as illustrations.

19. Do puzzles

Find a flat surface and do some puzzles. Or even try an awesome floor puzzle like this one.

20. Have a “dress-up” challenge

Have a contest to see who can come up with the best costumes in a few different categories. (Example: silliest, most things on, most realistic, etc.)

21. Make sock puppets

Try making sock puppets with old socks and a few simple supplies.

22. Create a costume

Make a costume out of recycled items. Gather things from around the house before they get put in the trash and get creative!

23. Make a stop motion video

Stop motion videos are both fun and addicting. They take some patience but are always worth the effort.

24. Play balloon hockey

Put a laundry basket on its side to use as a goal. Use a balloon and some pool noodles and play some indoor hockey.

25. Play in a bedsheet “parachute”

For this activity, a flat sheet will act as a parachute. Hold onto the sides and play some of these games.

26. Play balloon tennis

For each racquet, tape a popsicle stick to the back of a paper plate. Use the racquets to pass a balloon back and forth.

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27. Make shadow puppets

To get set up, point a flashlight at a blank wall. Then make shadow puppets with hands or templates.

28. Go on an indoor scavenger hunt

Print out this indoor scavenger hunt and see how fast everything can be found.

29. Go on a paint chip color matching hunt

Pick up some paint chips at the next store trip. Then, go throughout the house to find items that match the colors on them.

30. Play ping pong catch

Grab a few ping pong balls and play some of these games.

31. Make up a dance routine

Turn on some music and make up a dance routine. Perform it for someone.

32. Clean something

Cleaning can actually be fun and it always feels good when it’s done. Grab a chore stick or look throughout the house for something that can be cleaned.

33. Make a creation out of recycled materials

Using only recycled materials, create something cool. This can even become a fun engineering activity.

34. Make balloon rockets

Make balloon rockets with balloons and straws. Send them flying on a string, or flying like a plane.

35. Play with glow sticks

Glow sticks make playing in the dark fun and there are so many ways to play with them.

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36. Create flashlight constellations

Go stargazing from inside the house. Create constellations with just a flashlight and few cupcake liners.

37. Make toothpick and marshmallow creations

For a fun STEM challenge, create something with toothpicks and marshmallows.

38. Make a giant fort

Don’t settle for a small fort here. Build an epic fort with furniture or on the stairs. Make it comfy by adding pillows and stuffed animals.

39. Make ice cream in a bag

Try making ice cream in a bag! It’s easy and delicious.

40. Read a book under a table

Grab a book and a pillow and read under a table.

41. Follow a recipe for a treat

Find a simple treat recipe to try. Practice following the instructions exactly and see how it turns out.

42. Make a watercolor painting

Make some beautiful art with watercolors. Come up with your own ideas or try one of these.

43. Make a DIY marble run

Create an awesome marble run with empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls and painter’s tape.

44. Act out movie scenes

Recreate a few favorite movie scenes. Practice them and then perform them for someone.

45. Create an indoor obstacle course

Using items from around the house, create an obstacle course. Try to include something to jump over, crawl under and balance on.

46. Make a birdseed feeder

Make a birdseed feeder with a pinecone. Tie a string around it before coating it in some peanut butter. Roll it in birdseed and then hang it from a tree. Have fun watching birds (or squirrels) come by!

47. Play with a building set

Try one of these building sets. They provide endless fun and creative possibilities!

48. Draw with a YouTube art video

Practice some drawing skills by following along with one of these YouTube art channels that are just for kids.

READ NEXT: How To Create The Perfect Daily Routine For Your Kids

49. Go indoor skating

Stand on some paper plates and go indoor skating! This can be done on hard floors or carpet.

50. Make a hallway crepe paper obstacle course

Grab some crepe paper and create an amazing (but easy) obstacle course in the hallway.

51. Play tape jump

Use painter’s tape to create some lines on the floor. Stand at one end and see how far (and which line) you can jump to. Or try one of these painter’s tape games.

52. Do a penguin waddle race

Hold a balloon between your knees and see how fast you can run! Make it even more fun by making it a race.

53. Try an indoor bucket list

Come up with a list of fun ideas for the family to try indoors over the next few weeks. Or try this super fun one.

GET THIS LIST OF INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Before you go, make sure to grab your Indoor Activities For Kids Cheat Sheet. It’ll come in handy the next time your kids are stuck inside!

They’ll love going through the list and picking activities.

And just in case the weather starts cooperating, be sure to check out this list of things kids can do outside too!

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