Whether it’s pouring rain, a thunderstorm, or an unexpected snow visit, the weather forecast can quickly leave kids feeling restless being stuck indoors. Soon you’ll be hearing the complaints of boredom and finding yourself running out of ideas to lessen the dread of being cooped up.
Don’t fret! Toss aside those electronic devices, stray away from all the UV lights and challenge your little ones to try things that wouldn’t have otherwise interested them. Show the kids that being stuck inside isn’t necessarily a bad thing — it can be an opportunity to engage and learn something fun!
Enjoy these fun indoor activities parents, nannies and sitters can do to keep the kids entertained for hours whilst staying dry and warm in the comfort of their home.
1. Create a Cardboard Town
If you have a giant cardboard box, why not draw a town on the bottom of the box, with roads, tracks, bridges, and parks? Add some wooden building blocks, cars, trains and some wooden/plastic animals and let your kid’s imagination run wild. Older kids could help with decorating.
2. Build a fort using pillows and blankets
Gather all of your blankets and pillows out to build a fort! Use the sofa cushions, chairs, or clothes rack to create a den. Add some lights and add your own unique twist by adding toys, music, and anything else to make that fort stand out!
3. Stage a Family Treasure Hunt
Utilize every space of your house! Engage in a scavenger hunt with the kids. Create maps, treasure hints, and riddles to make the treasure hunt more challenging! All you have to do is provide each child with their printed treasure hunt and a small box to collect their items!
4. Make some music
Get all your instruments out or improvise using kitchen utensils (pots, wooden spoons, tins, spatula) and make some “music”. A great example is making a rain maker. All you need is empty towel paper rolls or an empty Pringles container (or just any cylinder shape container) and a bag of rice, corn or beans.
5. Play board games
Nothing more engaging than playing traditional board games that challenges kids to use their brain through logical thinking, strategizing and planning! From Checkers, Charades, Gestures to Candy Land, the options are endless!
Here are some sites to purchase educational board games for the kids:
https://www.learningresources.com/category/category/games+-+puzzles/board+games.do
https://www.mindware.orientaltrading.com/games-a1-553541-1.fltr
6. Bake your heart out
Most kids love to bake, especially with the promise of a sweet treat at the end! Look up easy recipes online (YouTube) that you and the kids can do.
7. Be the Star in your own Show/Play
Let the kids rage your closet! Have them dress up and put on a fashion show or write up a script and let them play out their favorite fairy tale or hero/heroine. Don’t forget to film them to capture those priceless moments!
8. Have a tea-party/indoor picnic
Have an indoor picnic or tea-party! Spread out the blanket on the floor or in your pillow fort with some snacks, drinks, and napkins and enjoy! Make your favorite tea or mix up some hot chocolate and top if off with mini marshmallows! Yum!
9. Get crazy with crafts
It’s a good idea to have an Art Supplies Box, filled with glitter, glue, pom-poms, stickers, pipe cleaners, and let them get creative. Print off some printables / colouring sheets, get out all the pens and crayons and set up a colouring station at the kitchen table. Cover the table with newspaper sheets and get out the paint and paper and have an art session at the kitchen or dining table.
NOTE: Ideas were adapted from https://www.mykidstime.com/things-to-do/50-fun-rainy-day-activities-for-kids/
in tucson by