25 Boredom Busting Activities for Kids To Do Inside
When the weather outside is frightful, these screen-free diversions are delightful!
Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
Whether it's Christmas break, a rainy day during summer vacation, or just an unexpected run of sick days, keeping littles engaged and happy when they're stuck inside for long periods of time can be a tall order! That's where the following indoor activities for kids come in. Just because they can't play outside doesn't mean children have to be stuck in front of their devices or the TV all day. We've found 25 of the best games, hobbies, crafts, and more that will keep little minds and bodies not just occupied, but learning and growing.
Some, like dancing and yoga, will give their muscles a workout and help them burn off some of that excess energy. Others will stretch your kids creatively (including jewelry making and painting), or allow them to better explore their world (gardening and science experiments). But one thing's for sure: every activity we've featured below is one that you and your children can do together, which will only bring you closer. And isn't that what leisure time should be all about?
After you've noted your favorite suggestions, for on-theme fun this holiday season don't miss our rundown of Best Christmas Crafts for Kids That You'll Love Making With Them.
Build a blanket fort
Has there ever been a kiddo who didn't love making a fort out of blankets and pillows? You can go the extra mile and line it with fairy lights and bring in books, toys, and games, too. Just be sure to build it somewhere out of the way, like a bedroom corner, because chances are it'll be staying up for a while!
Play hide and seek
Speaking of cherished childhood activities, hide and seek is a classic for a reason: it's an absolute blast for all ages. It's been popular since at least the days of the ancient Greeks, so don't bet on it going out of style anytime soon.
Plant a garden
It's never too early to start teaching your kids the value of working the earth, and it's never the wrong season, either. The whole family can begin by sowing seeds indoors in inclement weather—you can plant basil and the like if you want to stick with an easy herb garden. Making wildflower seed balls is another wonderful rainy day activity for budding green thumbs.
Related: Plant an Herb Garden
Stage a show
Studies show that kids active in the performing arts have enhanced cognitive, motor, and social development, so encourage them to step into the spotlight by putting on a play. They can write the script, use dress-up clothes for costumes, hold a rehearsal, and present the results for friends and family.
Film a movie
Or, they can go a step further and make their own homemade movie on their cell phone. Who knows, you might have the next Steven Spielberg on your hands!
Picnic in the living room
Make some sammies, spread a blanket on the living room floor, and serve up juice boxes, chips and fruit. You've got yourself a picnic, and you don't even need to worry about ants!
Read a book
One of the best things you can do for your kids is to read aloud to them. Research has shown that reading to kids not only benefits their cognition, but also their social, emotional, and character development as well. If you have older kids, you can all pile on the comfy couch, get cozy, and read your own books together. Bookworms know that reading next to someone who is also reading is pure pleasure.
Make jewelry
The nice thing about this activity is that it's truly great for all ages. You can start your littles out with chunky clay beads and elastic string, and then as they get older, they can graduate to working with smaller beads, charms, and threads. Jewelry making also allows kids to practice skills like concentration and logical thinking, while giving them a chance to express their individuality.
Start a scrapbook
Make sure your kids' memories last a lifetime with this creative activity that lets you relive the good times as you work. The more supplies (construction paper, fabric scraps, glitter, stickers and, of course, photos), the bigger the fun!
Fly paper airplanes
Making and flying paper airplanes is another nicely nostalgic activity that they'll love. You can even hold competitions to see which plane will fly the farthest.
Related: Make a Paper Airplane
Dance 'til you drop
Movement is healthy for everyone, no matter their age, so grab the kids and your S.O., turn on the tunes, and start shaking that groove thing! Dancing improves not only heart and lung health, it's good for your noggin, too, and can reduce stress and raise spirits. Plus, it's a great way for the kiddos to burn through all that excess energy.
Write Thank You notes
Gratitude is the attitude, and this is a sweet way to help teach its importance to your child. For extra fun, they can create their own cards from construction paper and other materials from the crafting closet.
Paint a masterpiece
Encouraging your child's artistic side by giving them the time and space (and tools) to paint or draw can pay off big. Creative kids are better problem solvers and more resilient, experts say, and creative expression helps them process and express emotions, too.
Deal some cards
Whether it's a good game of Gin Rummy or a rousing few hands of Old Maid, playing cards—along with putting together puzzles and playing board games—will always be a great go-to for a rainy afternoon diversion.
Sing out out loud
Even if you can't hit the high notes, karaoke pretty much guarantees a good time will be had by all.
Bake cookies
No matter if it's Christmas season or not, there's no wrong time to bake and decorate homemade cookies (or any sweet treat, really) with the kids. Just be sure they all get a spoon to lick!
Related: Classic Chewy Sugar Cookies
Design fashion
From tie-dyeing tees to making designs with fabric markers or on chalkboard shirts, there are loads of ways your kids can create their own clothing looks, engaging their imagination and expressing their individuality.
Hold an experiment
You can foster your child's curiosity and even help them understand the world around them better by getting them involved with science experiments at home. And don't worry if you're not a STEM genius. There are plenty of chemistry sets and other science kits available to guide hands-on exploration.
Take up a new hobby
Knitting, crocheting, sewing, and more: cozy hobbies are hot! And doesn't it sound lovely teaching your kiddos one of these relaxing and gratifying skills...or learning a new one alongside them?
Related: Stop Doom Scrolling: Try These Cozy Hobbies Instead
Construct a bird feeder
Just about any good craft project geared towards kids will do on an indoor play day, but there's something so wonderful about DIYing a bird feeder. Not only are you lending our fine-feathered friends a hand, but you and the kids get to experience the joy of seeing them gather at the feeder you just made.
Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. Learn more about her journey at gleesonreboots.com.
How to find out if it's too hot to walk your dog
8 Shaggy Dog Breeds
5 Most Misunderstood Dog Breeds
7 Dog Breeds that Don’t Cope Well in Hot Weather
