You never know when poor weather conditions will interfere with the outdoor activities you have planned for the next day off with your kids. So, it’s always wise to have a few entertaining activities planned out that you and your children can do together in the comfort of your own home. Below, we’re listing a few fun activities to try with your kids next time you’re all stuck inside of your home!
Bake Something Together
Baking together is a great activity to try with kids of all ages because it provides entertainment and you get to enjoy a treat together at the end. Baking is a great skill to teach your kids because it can show them how to cook for themselves one day when they’re older and it could even be something that becomes a hobby or passion for them.
Make Your Own Jewelry
Making beaded necklaces and bracelets is a particularly fun activity for older children who are old enough to do so without trying to eat the beads. Get some fun multi-colored beads and string to make customized bracelets with your kids. You can also try learning some tying and braiding techniques to make the jewelry even more unique and special.
Play Some Board Games
Board games are a great way to keep kids busy for an extended period of time and they’re fun for everyone to participate in. Start a game of Monopoly, Candyland, Checkers, or even Scrabble, depending on your kids’ unique interests. With a little competitive energy and problem solving, your kids will not only have a great time, but they’ll be using their brains and learning as well!
Build a Living Room Fort
When it comes to keeping the house clean on a day at home with your kids, let's just say all bets are off. Bust out the pillows and blankets to build a living room fort with your kids. This fun activity may result in a messy living room but it’s super entertaining and will give your kids a cozy spot to relax, play games, or nap if they want to!
Organize a Scavenger Hunt
Think of some unique items that your kids will be able to find around your house. Write out a scavenger hunt and have a competition to see who can collect all of the items the fastest. This is a great activity for older kids because it gets them thinking outside of the box and they’ll definitely be motivated to participate if you offer a reward for the winner.
Try a Science Experiment
A cool at-home science experiment is only a Google search away. Do some research to get ideas and set up an exciting and interesting experiment for your kids. You’ll likely already have the supplies you need on hand or you may need to run out and grab a few items from the store. This may be as simple as mixing some vinegar and baking soda in a bowl and watching it fizz up, or you can use cornstarch and food coloring to create your own slimy silly putty. You can even grab one of these science kits for your kids to have on hand for your next day stuck inside.
Start a Jigsaw Puzzle
A jigsaw puzzle is a surefire way to keep everyone busy on a day stuck inside. Simply get started on it and leave it out for the day. Your kids may work on it for a while and then return to work on it some more later on. Be sure to only leave out a jigsaw puzzle if all of your kids are over the age of 3 years old, small pieces can pose a choking hazard for younger toddlers and babies.
Snuggle Up for a Family Movie
There’s nothing like a nice, family movie on a rainy or cold day. Lay out some blankets and pillows on the living room floor, pop some popcorn, and watch a movie that your whole family will love. You could even opt for a Christmas movie (regardless of the time of year) to spread a little extra joy!
Make Some Artwork Together
Take out the coloring books and crayons and your kids will likely stay entertained for a while. Younger kids will find joy in simply coloring on the pages, while older kids may want to get a little more advanced and try drawing actual objects. Try challenging your older kids to draw specific items around the house, such as a piece of fruit or one of their stuffed animals. Water color paints are always fun as well and are a little less messy than acrylic paint.
Read Together
Reading is obviously a great activity for kids, but it may require some encouragement to get your kids to want to read independently. You can read aloud to your kids to get everyone involved or you can all pick your own individual books and read on your own. Younger children will likely enjoy being read to, since it also offers one-on-one attention from you, however, you can always try playing an audiobook for them to listen to if you have your own activities that you need to get done around the house.
Invite Some Friends Over
See if any of your kids’ friends would like to come over to play and hang out. Having other children around is super fun for your kids and gives them something to focus on without even needing additional activities. This can also give you a break if you’re starting to feel cooped up after keeping your kids entertained all day long.
Overall, days in don’t have to be boring — they can actually be some of the most fun you’ve had with your kids in a while! Having a full day stuck in the house with your kids gives you time to focus on them one-on-one and you can really bond with one another. By choosing some simple, entertaining activities, you likely won’t feel too cooped up and may even make an extremely fun day out of it.
The Pop N’ Go Playpen is an easy-to-use playpen that can provide a fun activity for kids of all ages.
