{"id":165385,"date":"2020-12-04T09:53:53","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T09:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/indoor-play-for-kids\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T14:55:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T13:55:59","slug":"indoor-play-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/indoor-play-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"30+ Fun Ideas For Indoor Play For Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cI\u2019m bored, Mommy. I want to go to the playground and play with other kids.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is what my 4-year old says to me when he gets fed up with being home all day. It breaks my heart every time I tell him \u201cNo, we can\u2019t go to the playground yet because there\u2019s a scary virus going around.\u201d He says he understands, but he\u2019ll ask the same thing every few days anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know parents all over the world are dealing with this problem. And it\u2019s not just the pandemic that is limiting social opportunities for our kids, it\u2019s also the weather. So, how do we keep our kids engaged and entertained indoors? I\u2019ve compiled 30+ ideas for indoor play for kids and broken them down into different categories. Feel free to grab a pen and write down the fun indoor activities that appeal to you most!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun & Creative Indoor Play Ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These ideas will allow your kids to truly be kids. They may make a mess, but it\u2019s better than letting them sit in front of the TV all day. Let them explore and get creative during playtime. Remember, they\u2019re not going to be kids forever. So, let them play their hearts out, while you get to catch up on work or household chores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Treasure hunting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My kid loves this one! Show them what you want them to look for, then ask for a few minutes while you go and hide them in not-so-obvious places. Just make sure the item\u2019s still within arm\u2019s reach though, so they can easily grab it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Indoor picnic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can join your kids on a real picnic with some cupcakes and juice. Or you can let them play on their own with toy pizzas and plastic teacups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Singing and dancing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bust out your dance moves and show your kids how it\u2019s done! Let them sing and dance to anything, even Baby Shark (doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo)! My son also loves singing and dancing to the catchy \u201cDame tu cosita<\/a>\u201d even though he doesn\u2019t understand a word, which is a good thing since the lyrics aren\u2019t exactly kid-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kids<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4) Bubbles and water games<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids love the water, don\u2019t they? At least mine does. Buy \u2018em a toy bubble machine, blow the bubbles with a fan, and let them chase the bubbles all around the house!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) Card games<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy some age-appropriate card games, teach your kids how to play them, and have a family card night!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) Board games<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like card games, board games for kids can also bring hours of fun \u2013 for the entire family!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7) Bowling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can buy toy bowling pins or improvise with some other toys or old plastic bottles. They basically only need a good-sized ball to bowl and knock down some stuff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8) Hide and seek<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is childhood without hide and seek? Young kids have favorite hiding spots, so they shouldn\u2019t be too hard to find. But crafty, older ones are a bit more challenging to find, especially if you\u2019ve got a bigger house!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9) Recycling cardboard boxes into something fun<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardboard boxes not only serve as packaging for stuff, but they can also be recycled into kid\u2019s toys! For example, you can make a cardboard bus, a cardboard robot, a cardboard house, cartoon character cutouts, and so much more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Let<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

10) Robots and race cars for boys<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boys don\u2019t look at price tags when it comes to toy robots and race cars, so you don\u2019t need to splurge on them. You can even create DIY robots from cardboard boxes and toy cars from plastic bottles. Anything with wheels is a sure hit with boys \u2013 and girls who like these kinds of toys!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11) Dolls for girls<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most girls can sit quietly in a corner playing with their dolls. If you\u2019ve got a daughter like this, encourage her creativity by dressing up her dolls with various accessories! She\u2019ll have fun for hours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12) Build stuff with playdough<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playdough is cheap and pliable, and you can use it to make hundreds of different things. Let your kids express their creativity with playdough. It will keep them busy and happy the whole day! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

13) Pillow and blanket forts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s another fun indoor play idea for kids of all ages! They can use pillows and blankets to make a cozy fort or castle. You can then drape some LED lights over the blankets or give them a flashlight to light up the interior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Encourage<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Indoor Play for Kids: Learning and Discovering New Stuff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kids absorb information like a sponge absorbing water! The younger they are, the easier it is to teach them new things. Here are fun indoor activities they can learn at home:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14) Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to wait to send your kids to school before teaching them how to read. You can use flashcards and games to help your children learn how letters, sounds, and words work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15) Writing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid giving young kids sharp objects, this includes sharpened pencils and pens. Instead, give them crayons, child-grade paint and\/or kinetic sand to write down letters and numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16) Drawing and painting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like writing, encourage your kids to draw or paint whatever they like! You can give them a few pointers here and there, but for the most part, leave them be. And no matter what the finished artwork looks like, give them some love and praise them for the effort!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fun<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

17) Science experiments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids are curious creatures and most of them learn by exploring and experimenting. Fortunately, there are a ton of science experiments you can do at home \u2013 no need to get fancy. You can show them some simple chemistry, biology, and physics experiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18) Acting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids love to act out whatever they see on TV. If they see their favorite characters running or flying around trying to rid the world of evil, then that\u2019s what they\u2019re going to do as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19) Playing musical instruments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage your kids to learn how to play a musical instrument. Your kids will not only have fun for hours on end, they\u2019ll also improve their hand-eye coordination, mental agility, patience, creativity, and confidence!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

20) Math games<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teach your kids basic math like counting and simple arithmetic. You can use objects around the house to demonstrate various mathematical concepts.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Let<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gamify Household Chores!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Household chores might not seem like fun indoor play for kids, but if you turn it into a game, they\u2019ll be more likely to have fun. Having kids means a never-ending queue of household chores, be it daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonal chores. By teaching your kids responsibility, you can hit two birds with one stone. You get help and they learn important life skills in return – it\u2019s a win-win!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

21) Keeping toys tidy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to keep the house clean when you\u2019ve got young kids. I don\u2019t know about your kids, but my son loves it when his toys are scattered all around the house! He does help clean up afterwards, but it takes a while. He\u2019s getting better at it now though that he\u2019s a bit older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22) Cleaning the house<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Older kids can help clean the house. They can sweep the floors, wipe down surfaces, and be mommy or daddy\u2019s little helper. If they balk at the thought of cleaning, introduce a reward system to motivate them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23) Watering the plants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watering plants is a teaching moment \u2013 you\u2019re letting your kid know that plants are living things and they need water in order to survive. Show them how much water they need to use, so they don\u2019t accidentally kill the plant when they attempt to water it on their own later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Indoor<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

24) Cooking and baking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child is showing interest in what goes on in the kitchen, that\u2019s great! There are plenty of child-friendly recipes on the web. Just make sure you don\u2019t leave them alone in the kitchen \u2013 a lot of things can go wrong if they\u2019re not properly supervised!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

25) Feeding pets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all pets are kid-friendly, so it\u2019s important to know in advance if your pet(s) belong in this category. For example, even the sweetest dog in the world can turn aggressive when near food. Never leave your child unattended around animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

26) Folding the laundry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Folding the laundry may not be anyone\u2019s idea of fun indoor play for kids. But trust me, if you turn this chore into a game (maybe give them a reward for folding stuff properly), they\u2019ll have loads of fun! Start with light materials, like socks, hand towels, and handkerchiefs. As they grow older, you can add shirts, jackets, pants, and blankets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

27) Rearrange their bedroom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give your kids free rein on how they want their bedrooms to look! You might be surprised at their creativity. You may need to help move some heavy furniture around, but for the most part, let them hone their interior design skills!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Keep<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Indoor Games For Teens To Keep Them Busy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some of the indoor play for kids ideas won\u2019t work for teens and older kids. Household chores are a must as well as some of the family-bonding activities like card games and board games. Encouraging them to pick a hobby instead of spending all their time in front of a computer is great as well. Here are some \u201cunplugged\u201d suggestions they might enjoy while they\u2019re stuck at home:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

28) Chess and checkers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chess boards are cheap, so if you don\u2019t have one, order one right now! Checkers is easier to play than chess, but I think chess is a whole lot more entertaining, not to mention it also helps improve your IQ!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

29) Table tennis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t already have one and you have enough space in your home, why not let your teens build their own table tennis or ping pong table! It can be a family project, and you\u2019ll have tons of fun building \u2013 and playing \u2013 on the table!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Encourage<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

30) DIY projects<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage your teenagers to build their own DIY projects. The table tennis table mentioned above is a good start, but there are plenty of cool DIY projects for both teen boys and girls!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

31) Family exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now\u2019s an important time to be healthy and to strengthen the whole family\u2019s immune system. Herd immunity starts at home, so keep everyone on the same page when it comes to health and nutrition (try our dietary supplements<\/a><\/strong> if anyone\u2019s missing out on some important nutrients). Have a variety of exercises prepared or hold a mini competition to make the activity fun for everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting stuck indoors is no fun, no matter how old or young you are. As parents, we already have our hands full with work and kids. But entertaining kids who are used to playing outside with friends is a different story. Hopefully, you picked up a few useful ideas for indoor play for kids and teens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about you? What\u2019s your go-to activity when your kids get bored? Do let us know in the comments section below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cI\u2019m bored, Mommy. I want to go to the playground and play with other kids.\u201d This is what my 4-year old says to me when he gets fed up with being home all day. It breaks my heart every time I tell him \u201cNo, we can\u2019t go to the playground yet because there\u2019s a scary…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":165378,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1855],"tags":[1779],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-165385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellbeing","tag-kids"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":1855,"label":"Wellbeing"}],"post_tag":[{"value":1779,"label":"Kids"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/30-exciting-ideas-for-indoor-play-for-kids-01-1024x524.jpg",1024,524,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"David Pashley","author_link":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/author\/david\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":1855,"name":"Wellbeing","slug":"wellbeing","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1855,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":43,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":1855,"category_count":43,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Wellbeing","category_nicename":"wellbeing","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":1779,"name":"Kids","slug":"kids","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1779,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":4,"filter":"raw"}],"wpml":{"language":"en-ie","is_original":false,"original_post_id":131223,"translations":{"en-gb":{"id":131223,"language":"en-gb","is_original":true},"en-ie":{"id":165385,"language":"en-ie","is_original":false},"en-mt":{"id":165915,"language":"en-mt","is_original":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=165385"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":166534,"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165385\/revisions\/166534"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/165378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=165385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=165385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=165385"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=165385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}