Sometimes we just want our kids to be outside playing so that we can enjoy some quiet time. But, it’s not always possible to have them play outside, especially during extreme weather conditions. The beauty of indoor activities is that kids can continue to play, come rain, hail or sunshine. 

Indoor activities not only provide enjoyment but also help children learn and develop skills to tackle life's challenges. Quiet indoor moments can also alleviate anxiety in kids and encourage mindfulness. 

No more feeling stuck and bored indoors. If you’ve felt helpless, clueless, or even worried about spending a whole day inside with kids, read on because that will be a thing of the past.
 

8 Best Indoors Activities for Kids

Let’s delve into some fun indoor activities for kids that are calm, quiet and, most importantly, stress-free for you!

1. Play Board Games

Board games are a great way to keep your kids busy and entertained indoors. They are also useful in helping children build literacy skills such as letter and number recognition, vocabulary and spelling. The best thing about board games is that you can play them as a family or the children can play alone. 

For younger kids, they don’t have to play the game correctly – it’s all about them having fun and not driving you nuts. Scrabble, Monopoly and Chess are some of the games that you may like to consider.

2. Get Creative With a Silicone Activity Mat

A silicone activity mat should be on your ‘must-have list’ if you have small kids. With these silicone mats, a child can play freely and safely. If your little one loves colouring, (which kid doesn’t love colouring?) consider getting them a silicone colouring mat. Once they get busy doodling and colouring, you might hardly notice their presence. 

A Little Change Creators' Re-FUN-able™ Colouring Set is a good starting point if you are looking for something to keep your kids busy and engaged. The silicone mat features creative drawings on both sides of the mat.  Kids can colour with 12 vibrant markers and then erase any mistakes with a handy cloth wipe. The coolest thing about this set is that it’s reusable and sustainable, saving you money while conserving the environment.

3. Balloon Basketball

Since kids love balloons, how about playing basketball indoors? Balloons are safe and you don’t have to worry about the kids damaging stuff. They’ll have fun safely while still improving their physical health and attention levels.  Research has found that physical activities that call for a child’s attention and cognitive effort like football and basketball can enhance the child’s sustained attention.  

4.  Good Old Reading

Reading never goes out of fashion. While some kids might choose screen time over reading time, it’s always important to cultivate a reading culture in kids. As with most skills, the earlier they develop their reading skills, the better. You can even visit a library together or have your kids choose their favourite books at a store to ensure that they’re reading something they love. Remember to check that your child’s chosen books are age-appropriate and align with your family values.

5. Pretend Play

Pretend play is another indoor activity for kids that never gets old. For some children, all they need is a few dolls and they’re good to go. Allow your little one to be as creative as they can be with their dolls, and it will surprise you how much quiet time you’ll be left with. You can even move a play kitchen or some props into their room so that they can make snacks and feed their dolls.

6. Crafting

If your kids are old enough to handle a sharp stick, they can learn and practise crafts such as knitting and crocheting. You can teach them, or they can follow online tutorials to learn and experiment with different pieces. Give them the freedom to weave what they desire and wait for the magic to unfold.  You might be impressed with their creativity! 

Younger kids can experiment with modelling clay, plasticine or play dough, making different shapes, animals and more.

7. Cooking Lessons

Toddlers love helping around the house and there’s no better way to engage them than to get them involved in real tasks. If you’re looking for an indoor activity for kids that you can do as a family, try cooking. Your kids will be happy to help and learn, especially if you’re making their favourite snacks! 

If they love cookies, have them assist you with tasks such as weighing the ingredients or shaping the cookies. To make it fun, cut the cookies into different shapes like stars, hearts, and various animals.

8. Watching a Movie

Movie time is also a great indoor activity for kids (or the entire family!). If you’re yearning for some quiet time alone, a movie is the best way to keep your kids engaged. Let your kids choose the movie they’d like to watch and voila, you have a whole hour or more to reflect and meditate! 

You can also let them binge on cartoons or educational shows for a while. As much as screen time has its downside, there’s no denying that it’s also beneficial to some extent. As long as they don’t overdo it, it should be fine.

Kids are the sweetest gifts you can ever have but we also know that they can be quite a handful. They love our attention, but sometimes it just becomes too difficult for us to get anything done. Fortunately, there are easy options to keep them happy and busy indoors while you do what you need to do. 

Try some of these indoor activities for kids and you should all be happy. Just make sure to choose age-appropriate activities for your little ones so that nobody gets upset or injured. Your child may also wish to choose their preferred activity from the list or put their own unique spin on one – go with it for maximum fun!