
Sure, summer may be here, but there's no guarantee that we'll have blue skies and hot sun all season long. Having a list of indoor activities for your kids up your sleeve means you won't be caught hanging when the heavens open.
For the days when you need to keep the children entertained, try some of these easy-to-set-up indoor ideas to keep the boredom at bay. From nerf wars to sock puppets, to dinosaur cookies, we've got it all!
Miniature beach playset
When you were dreaming of the beach but the weather isn't playing ball, this DIY playset means you can build sandcastles anyway. You can find the instructions here.
Bunchems
For slightly older kids, these squidgy shapes are great for igniting creativity. You can buy a big pack here and let their imaginations run wild. Find out how we got on here.
STEM stacking challenge
Older kids will love this STEM challenge that isn't only fun but will also hone their problem solving and practical skills. Set it up as a competition and siblings will love trying to build the most impressive tower.
Laundry basket skeeball
If knocking things over is more your kids' style, this skee ball game is played with ball pit balls, cardboard boxes, and laundry baskets. It's easy to prep and quick to get going. Perfect for a rainy afternoon activity.
Put on a talent show
Kids love showing off in front of friends and family. If you're stuck indoors and struggling to think of things to do then why not set up a makeshift stage and get the whole family to showcase their talents? From impressions to sing-alongs, it'll be loads of fun!
Indoor snowballs
This one takes a little more prep, but there are benefits. You can make the snowballs out of wool as a separate activity, and they'll last for ages once you've created them. Find out how from A Parenting Production.
Make playdough
Playdough is a great activity for all ages. Younger children will love mashing it around, and older children will love unleashing their creativity. There's an easy recipe for you here.
Table hammocks
Pinterest is a weird and wonderful place, but it can yield some fun ideas for entertaining kids. House of Kent found these table swings and gave them a go with great results! Find out how from their site.
Learning magic
If the talent show has whet your appetite for performance, then you can spend your time hiding from the weather learning the power of illusion! Try out one of these magic sets and hone your skills.
Tape roads
If you've got a large empty area and some low-stick tape then why not encourage your kids to dabble in city planning? They can make their own roads, car parks, suburban estates, anything they like and then spend hours playing!
Learn yoga
Yoga is a brilliant way of keeping fit and supple yourself, but it's also really beneficial for your children too. It can help them with anxiety and calm them down if they're overactive. Cosmic Kids is a brilliant online yoga service that matches its moves to popular kids cartoons and themes.
Cardboard houses
If you're anything like me then you have a pile of cardboard laying around from deliveries and shopping each weekend. Turns out, it can be pretty useful for keeping the kids busy when they can't go outside. Something like this geodesic house will go down a storm.
Nerf target game
If you've got slightly less cardboard in at the moment then this nerf game is an easy DIY game to put together. Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls has all the instructions.
Dance party
The simplest way to fill some time (and use up some energy) is to switch on some tunes and dance the afternoon away. Play your favourites, or introduce your kids to some retro tunes.
Marshmallow toothpick buildings
Mini marshmallows are tasty, but they can also be great to use for building materials. Grab a handful of toothpicks and a bag of the white fluffy morsels, and work out how you can build the most complicated structure. This is better for older children. Find out more from The Idea Room.
DIY terrarium
Sometimes you need a project that is going to entertain and hold interest for longer than 5 minutes. This terrarium is a great way of doing that on a rainy afternoon. Find out how to make your own, and how to care for it here.
Origami frogs
Fancy some fake amphibians to decorate your new terrarium? These cute little origami frogs are a fun activity for a rainy afternoon. You can decorate them with all sorts of things that you might have laying around the house, and then stage your own frog races!
No mess marbled painting
Now, I try my hardest to be a fun and creative parent. But there are days when I really don't want to have to clean up lots of paint and glitter from my kitchen table before dinner. This mess-free marbled painting activity from Inner Child Fun is the answer to my problems. No dirty hands but tons of colour!
The floor is lava!
If you've never played The Floor is Lava then what were you doing in college?! Seriously though, this game requires no set-up, no prep, no materials, and only a quick scan around the room to see if anything breakable needs moving! You simply walk into the room and shout "The floor is lava!" Everyone must jump off of the floor onto anything they can find. The last one to do so is out.
Dinosaur fossil cookies
Cooking is one of the best ways to while away the hours hiding from the storm. These dinosaur fossil cookies are great for budding palaeontologists and hungry children. Find the recipe here.
DIY fluffy slime
Are you sick of chemically packaged slime (and finding it around your house)? This DIY recipe from Mom Life Made Easy doesn't contain borax and is super simple to make.
Giant nail salon
Another fun way to use up some of your cardboard is this giant nail salon from Happy Toddler Playtime. Not just for toddlers, you can let your budding beauty nuts try out the nail art skills on these giant hands.
The donut game
We love this super simple donut game for beating boredom when the weather isn't playing ball. Even better, it doesn't cost a thing! Find out how to play with our easy-to-follow guide.
Pom pom wall
With a little bit of creativity and some sticky tape, you can be the "fun mom" with all the good ideas. No one needs to know that you got them all from us! This pom pom wall is great fun for all ages, as you can make it as complicated as your kids can handle. For hours of fun, head to Toddler Approved for the instructions.
Giant name art
SOmehow, putting things up on walls makes them more fun! Your little ones can imagine that they are the next Michaelangelo with this giant name art idea from Toddler Approved. Paper, paints, brushes, and maybe a sheet to save your floor are all you need.
Balloon-powered LEGO cars
This fun STEM activity from Mombrite is another clever way of using those LEGO blocks you're always stepping on to explore physics. Find out how to make them and the experiments you can do with them on the site.
Indoor spy obstacle course
If you've got a little more time on your hands, and some space indoors, then you can run your very own spy camp! Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls lays out the instructions to build your obstacle course and put your children through their paces.
Balloon tennis
When you're all stuck inside energy levels and frustrations can peak. Get your little ones running around with this active game for rainy days. Find the instructions here from Little Bins Little Hands.
Cardboard marble run
I told you there was no end to the magic you could weave with cardboard! This marble run is easy to put together from cardboard tubes and tape. The more creative the design, the better.
DIY wooden balance beam
Little ones love practising their balancing and climbing skills. But when the park isn't an option, you can use this balance beam to help them hone their abilities. Find out how from The Kavanaugh Report.
Sock puppets
The ultimate in easy-peasy crafts, our sock puppets are perfect for encouraging creative storytelling. Check out how our tales developed here.
Coloring
Sometimes the simplest activities are the best, and coloring is an easy and foolproof rainy day activity. You can use books, printable sheets, or just draw your own. Hours of fun for all ages.
Family game night
Or afternoon, or morning, or any time of the day really. Family board games are versatile, fun, and teach important skills like turn-taking, fair play and strategy. Pick old favourites or scour the internet for new creations.
Scavenger hunts
Sure, you can run scavenger hunts outdoors, but there are some great indoor options as well. We pulled together a list of summer scavenger hunts here, with a few indoor options for when the weather isn't your friend.
Get off the couch!
Burning off energy when it's raining outside will involve getting off the couch. So, if you're still stuck for ideas after our long list of fun, these 5 Get Off The Couch games will get you going! Prepare to get a stitch from laughing so much!
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