On the days the weather or your schedule keeps your child at home, it’s good to have options. Anyone with kids understands what it’s like when a kid is bored and there’s no structure or routine they can rely on. Whether you’re a full-time parent, working from home, or both, it’s critical to have some activities and games up your sleeve that will keep your child entertained, learning, and healthy.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of excellent ideas on the web! Family Days Out has listed nine of the best indoor activities for kiddos:
1. Camp out
Have you ever played camp with your children? Most kids love setting up a tent in the bedroom or living room and pretending to be camping in the great outdoors. Fill the tent with pillows and blankets, turn the lights off, and use flashlights for telling ghost stories and making shadow animals.
If there are clear skies, you could even set the tent up by a window and stargaze with your kids while eating s'mores and talking about life. You could also help your children set up a pillow fort for the daytime!
2. Play golf
Who says you have to be outside to play golf? Use household items to create an obstacle course your kids can use for miniature golfing. Sock balls and ping-pong balls work great inside because they roll well and won't cause any serious damage.
You can use countless things for your indoor golf course, including plastic cones, mixing bowls, cups, etc. Place the items around the room or in a straight line, and use a small stick or fly-swatter if you don't have appropriate-sized golf clubs.
3. Make a ball pit
Ball pits are fun for kids of all ages, but toddlers, in particular, can have a heyday in them for a significant amount of time. You don't have any work to do if you already have a ball pit. But if you don't, you can easily make your own with a large cardboard box or a kiddie pool. Throw tons of small balls, bean bags, and stuffies in the mix, and let your kids go to town!
4. Research educational content
If you work from home, you may be especially desperate to find entertaining and healthy activities for your children during work hours. The good news is that you don't have to compromise their academics to keep them engaged when you're on the clock!
Consider allowing your kids to enjoy specific activities they typically wouldn't be allowed to do when you're not working. Playing games on a tablet, engaging in educational activities on the computer, and watching TV shows can benefit kids when appropriate screen-time restrictions are enforced.
Just be sure to research any content you allow your children to consume to ensure it aligns with your values and teaches them helpful life skills and attitudes. Many shows and games can educate without them even knowing! They'll be excited to engage in these activities instead of interrupting your workflow!
5. Host a family movie marathon
Who doesn't love a classic movie? Plenty of older mysteries, westerns, and other genres are appropriate for young children, and they’re a great option for adults too!
Make some popcorn, and dedicate a night to tackling your favorite film series. Of course, if you're thinking along the lines of Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, you may need to stretch the marathon throughout the week. And let's not pretend there aren't some excellent animated movies out there!
6. Cook a new recipe
Cooking can help kids relax and develop various social, emotional, mental, and physical skills. They can also learn the value of communication and teamwork and many skills to aid their academic journey. Plus, if your child is a picky eater, cooking can help them appreciate more foods.
There are many other benefits of kid-friendly cooking activities, including:
● Building self-esteem
● Promoting family bonding time
● Sharpening concentration and decision-making skills
● Engaging the imagination
● Learning about healthy portions and nutrition
Fortunately, there are endless recipes worth trying with your children. You could make your own applesauce, tomato spaghetti, or vegetable soup. Or you could opt for a sweet treat like Apple doughnuts, mini pumpkin pies, or fairy cakes.
Take time to sift through potential recipes with your kids and make a list of any that inspire you. Then, list any ingredients you need and let your children help you shop for them. Cooking is an essential life skill that can benefit your kids well into adulthood.
7. Paint some rocks
Rock painting is one of the easiest and most enjoyable activities for children. Give your kids some rocks, paintbrushes, and washable paint, and let them paint to their heart's content.
If your children want to glue things on the rocks, help them collect feathers, pom-poms, and other items to dress up their masterpieces. Older kids and teens might enjoy writing inspiring messages on the rocks and placing them around the neighborhood for others to read.
8. Tackle a DIY home project
This is definitely one that can benefit parents! Consider any DIY home projects you've been procrastinating on, and see if you can involve your child in the process.
Maybe you need to declutter a closet or organize your home office. Perhaps you've been meaning to deep clean the downstairs for the past few months. You might be surprised by how excited your children are at the prospect of helping you with home improvements. Here are some other DIY projects to consider:
● Updating the cabinet hardware
● Painting shelves
● Hosing off the patio
● Dusting furniture
● Watering the indoor plants
● Building a window box
● Washing the windows
9. Play a classic game
Finally, think about any old board games you have laying around the house. Playing board games is still a great way to bond with your family, despite the fact we live in the digital age. And there's no shortage of classic games that can teach your kids essential life skills.
Here are some of the world-renowned classics to consider pulling out of storage or investing in:
● Operation
● Chutes and Ladders
● Candyland
● Scrabble Junior
● Sequence
● Battleship
● Wildcraft!
As a parent, you need a plan for when the kids are stuck indoors. Each of the ideas above can keep your children entertained, learning, and active when you're trying to work or take some time for yourself. And collaborative activities can go a long way in strengthening your bond.
With that said, there are many other ways to engage your kids at home. So keep searching for different strategies to keep up your sleeve!
Would you like to read more helpful content or access our family-friendly attraction guides? Visit FamilyDaysOut.com today!
All image by Pexels
Lisa Downs
Lisa has been a content writer for Family Days Out for nearly 10 years, and a keen travel writer for nearly 20. She loves experiencing the best of a city, discovering the many things to do and immersing herself in the culture, and sharing these experiences with others through her writing.
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