Right now, everyone is in need of indoor activities for kids that scream SIMPLE. It’s one thing if you have time to prep and shop, but in most cases, that just isn’t possible. So how do you keep the kids occupied without a ton of effort? These must-try activities for kids at home rely on just a few common household supplies.
Best Indoor Kids Activities
When situations arise like a pandemic, snowy or rainy days, some other major event, or even a too-hot or too-cold day, you may find extra time on your hands at home! We’re here to help.
Many schools are also canceled this week, so earlier, I shared amazing and FREE resources for school at home with STEM.
Now I want to share some big-time fun indoor activities for when you aren’t fitting in schoolwork or if you have multiple age groups home and you need to keep the younger kiddos busy while the older kids work on lessons.
These kids’ activities are great for a wide range of ages. There are indoor activity ideas for toddlers and preschoolers to teens. Your kids will never be bored again!
Start with simple indoor fun!
- Set up an obstacle course around the house with couch cushions.
- Movie under a fort with pillows and blankets and popcorn, of course!
- Turn on a dance party with your favorite playlist of music.
- Decorate cupcakes (I always keep a box mix and frosting on hand).
- Play laundry basket basketball with rolled-up socks.
- Clear off the table and play board games.
- Listen to a good book while you curl up under a blanket (or do a read aloud).
What Supplies Do You Need?
Here’s a quick checklist of supplies that would be great to have on hand for some of these indoor activities. I bet you have most of these supplies in your house already. There are even fun, FREE printables included too!
Our website is filled with free and easy-to-use activities for kids. Search a theme, season, or holiday and see what you can find. Use the search box or main menu to find popular topics. Stop by our SHOP for extra special printable activity packs!
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Cornstarch
- Craft Sticks
- Rubberbands
- Marshmallows
- Toothpicks
- Balloons
- Small Plastic Toys (Dinosaurs)
- Paper plates
- Shaving Cream
- Flour Oil
- Food Coloring
- Cookie Cutters
- LEGO Bricks
- Cardboard Tubes
- Glue
- Salt
- Tape
Have you joined the 14-Day Activity Challenge?
No? What are you waiting for? Click below to start with 14 days of guided kids’ activities using mostly what you have on hand!
Grab this FREE printable 14-Day Activity Challenge!
Fun Indoor Activities For Kids
Whatever your kids are interested in, we have you covered for great ways to play and learn through art, STEM, sensory play, building ideas, and more!
Art & Crafts
Having the right supplies and having “doable” art activities can stop you in your tracks, even if you love being creative. That’s why the activities below include a variety of fun and simple projects for kids to enjoy!
Check out our famous artists for kids’ projects for even more ideas!
- Jellyfish Craft
- Magnet Painting
- Marble Painting
- Marbled Paper
- Picasso Snowman
- Polar Bear Puppets
- Polka Dot Butterfly
- Pop Art Flowers
- Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
- Puffy Paint
- Salt Dough Beads
- Salt Painting
- Self Portrait Ideas
- Snowflake Drawing
- Snow Paint
- Snowy Owl Craft
- Splatter Painting
- String Painting
- Tie Dye Paper
- Torn Paper Art
- Winter Birds
Paper Projects
Everyone has paper lying around and here are some and fun easy ideas for paper crafts and STEM projects!
- Fun Thaumatrope Ideas (free template)
- Penny Spinner
- Mobius Strip
- Color Spinner
- Balancing Animals
- 3D Ocean Paper Craft
- Paper Crafts
- Easy STEM Activities with Paper
Engineering and Building Activities
Designing, tinkering, building, testing, and more! Engineering activities are fun, and these simple building projects are perfect for preschoolers, elementary kiddos and older.
- Aquarius Reef Base
- Archimedes Screw
- Balanced Mobile
- Balloon Car
- Bind a book
- Bottle Rocket
- Catapult
- Cardboard Rocket Ship
- Compass
- Hovercraft
- Marble Roller Coaster
- Marshmallow and Toothpick Shapes
- Paddle Boat
- Paper Airplane Launcher
- Paper Eiffel Tower
- Pipeline
- Pom Pom Shooter
- Rubber Band Car
LEGO Challenges
Printable LEGO task cards with tons of fun themes. Your kids will never be bored again! Even better these LEGO building ideas use basic bricks.
- LEGO Challenge Calendar
- LEGO Tower Game
- LEGO Landmark Challenge Cards
- LEGO Animal Habitat Challenge Cards
- LEGO Space Challenges
- LEGO Math Challenge Cards
- LEGO Ice Melt Fun
- LEGO Art
STEM Challenges
Test out those design and engineering skills with a few simple materials. Each challenge has a design question, a list of everyday supplies you can use and an optional time limit to complete it. Great for small groups! We love easy and fun STEM activities for kids!
- Straw Boats Challenge
- Strong Spaghetti
- Paper Bridges
- Paper Chain STEM Challenge
- Egg Drop Challenge
- Strong Paper
- Marshmallow Toothpick Tower
- 3D Marshmallow Shapes
- Penny Boat Challenge
- Cup Tower Challenge
- Paper Clip Challenge
- Balloon Rocket
- Walk Through Paper Challenge
Sensory Play
We have tons of examples of sensory activities for you to use at home or with groups of young kids. Sensory activities don’t have to be difficult to set up and you will find our sensory recipes all use inexpensive kitchen pantry ingredients.
See our complete collection of sensory bin ideas here.
- Chick Pea Foam
- Cloud Dough
- Colored Moon Sand
- Cornstarch Dough
- Crayon Playdough
- Edible Slime
- Fairy Dough
- Fake Snow
- Fluffy Slime
Indoor Games
Below you’ll find many free printable resources to make your indoor day the best day ever!
Printable 100 Indoor Activities Checklist
Print, and hang this 100 indoor activities checklist somewhere you won’t forget! This is a fantastic reminder to try something new today.
Printable Kids Activity Pack
Want all the instructions for our 14-day challenge 👆 in one convenient place? Dive into hands-on play and learning with this easy-to-follow activity guide featuring fantastic projects plus bonus activities.
Included with each activity, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, a materials list, and photos!
- Perfect for kids of multiple ages (ages 5-12)
- Use it in the classroom, at home, or with groups.
- Easy-to-source supplies make these activities budget-friendly
- simple to follow instructions with images
I realize the reason for offering free items is to get me to buy things. I love your things but do not like the idea that I have to put my phone number, address, and credit card information into your system in order to get a free item. Right now I am and have been supporting a family of six on my retirement money and simply cannot afford to buy a lot of things. My son and daughter in law are walking a fine line between trying to find jobs and trying to not bring illness into the house as they fear infecting me. Thank you for the things you do.
HI! Actually I make free things to provide free things because I know that’s just as important. You are never obligated to purchase anything additional to what I offer for free. Also the free items do not require any submission of credit card info. We also have more than 1000 free activities to enjoy with simple household supplies. If you would like me to personally send you a free pack instead of submitting your name and address please email me [email protected]
What a great list of creative indoor activities for kids. Very hand right about now:)
MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE SOURCE
Thank you!
Thank you very much for all the free activity ideas and recipes. I’m a disabled single mom, and I’m always looking for sedentary and educational activities that I’m able to safely do with my energetic 3 year old. Your site is incredibly helpful to me and very appreciated.
Awesome! I’m so happy to hear that! Feel free to email anytime if you need suggestions [email protected]