As Florida residents, we all know too well that the unpredictable weather can prevent our kids from going outside. Even though my kids have trunks and closets full of toys, they’ll eventually complain of boredom if they’re indoors too long, especially my older one who loves playing sports. If you prefer to limit your kids’ screen time like I do, there’s still hope! For those rainy days, or if it’s too hot to enjoy the outdoors, the following indoor activities can help keep boredom at bay and are a good way to spend some quality time together!
Sun, Sand & Beach Indoor Activities
Use a shallow storage bin to pack in play sand for an indoor sandbox.
Make a dinosaur fossil dig with toy dinosaurs.
You can also fill a shallow bin with water for the kids to enjoy playing with boats and water toys on the floor. Simply cover the surface with towels for easy cleanup.
Freeze small toys inside various shapes of plastic food storage. The kids can use a toy hammer or a makeshift one to chip away at the ice until they release the frozen toys.
DIY Dough
Play dough is a relaxing sensory activity that’s fun for all ages. There are plenty of DIY recipe options that only require a few household ingredients. “Edible Ice Cream Dough” is one of our favorites, and the recipe only calls for two ingredients: 1 cup store-bought frosting (not whipped) and 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar. You may have to add more until it’s no longer sticky.
Another easy dough recipe is “Snow Dough.” You need three cups baking soda and a ½ cup of white hair conditioner, or you can use shaving cream like in this snow recipe.
Science Experiments
My kids love science, and one of their favorite activities are “Ivory Soap Clouds.” Place a bar of Ivory soap in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds; you can also cut the bar in half before heating. The soap will expand and rise to make “clouds.”
You can find more science experiments from fellow contributors here and here.
Arts & Crafts Activities
- Make salt-dough ornaments for any occasion using cookie cutters
- Make jewelry using beads and buttons
- Make origami
- Make paper-bag puppets or sock puppets with old socks
- Bake broken crayons into molded shapes. It’s a great way to clean up those broken pieces that will never be used again!
Easy No-Brainer Activities with Little or No Supplies Required:
- Simon Says or Follow the Leader
- Red-Light/Green-Light
- I Spy
- Musical Chairs
- Hide & Seek
- Indoor Scavenger Hunt with simple themes like the alphabet, colors, or shapes.
- Masking tape and duct tape are great for indoor play and make easy cleanup. Tape down a large game of Tic-Tac-Toe. Use paper plates to write the Xs and Os. Use tape for indoor Hopscotch. Tape down a racing track for toy cars.
- Indoor bowling can be played with various items like a small or medium ball and empty soda, water bottles, or block towers as the pins.
- Puzzles
- Board games
- Card games
- Dominoes
- Turn up the music and dance, work out, or hula hoop. Have a line-dance party or do yoga with kids.
Capture Memories
- Make a time capsule, and have kids write a letter to their future self. Include photos and write down their favorite things like TV shows, movies, hobbies, food, school subject, and toys.
- Make a photo album, collage, or scrapbook.
- Share and/or write down your favorite memories together.
- Show kids how to start a journal or gratitude book.
- Imprint handprints and footprints onto salt-dough ornaments.
- Play dress-up as princesses, pirates, superheroes, or villains. Have a fashion show or photo shoot. Use curtains, bed sheets, and tablecloths for backdrops.
More Indoor Activities
- Write letters or make cards for friends and family.
- Have a Spa Day! Do each other’s hair and nails. Let your kids do your makeup.
- Have a tea party, picnic, or camp out indoors. Use play tents or build a pillow and blanket fort. Drape a large comforter over a table for a quick tent. Read books, tell stories, and make indoor S’mores.
- One of my favorite indoor activities as a kid was playing grocery store. Let your kids choose items from the pantry for their store. Use a toy register, play money, and toy shopping cart if you have it. If not, get creative with other items in the house! This is a great time to practice math and counting with money.
- Food is a delicious way to pass the time! Make fun snacks like popsicles or bake easy desserts such as cakes in a mug.
Here’s a roundup of more rainy day activities!
What is your child’s favorite indoor activity?
