While everyone loves getting sunshine and fresh air, uncooperative weather can hamper our ability to be outdoors. And regardless of rain, snow or heat, once you’re indoors, your children can get cabin fever relatively quickly if you’re not prepared. This is why it’s always a great idea to have a few indoor activities for kids at hand. 

Indoor activities don’t need to be limited to screen time, and they shouldn’t be boring or dull. If your children range in age, it is also essential to find activities suitable for each child. Though some of the suggestions below require adult supervision and oversight, others do not. Tinley Park Mom hopes the following tips will keep your kids active and engaged when they’re stuck inside. 

DIY Masterpieces

When you’re all stuck inside, it’s time to bring out all the paint, markers, glue, paper and whatever else you have around the house, and let the kids craft away. There are numerous online resources where you can find how to craft different 2D and 3D works of art, making this a fun and educational activity. When the kids are done, you can hang their crafts around their room or place them on shelves to host their pop-up art gallery.

Break out the Board Games 

Although this is perhaps the oldest idea in the book, if you want some screen-free time for the whole family, board games or card games will do the trick. You can get your kids to stack toys, solve puzzles and entertain themselves with workbooks, or teach them different variations of Uno or other card games.

Technology Can be a Great Learning Tool

Rules on screen time tend to change for older kids because teenagers use tablets or smartphones most of the time. This is why it’s essential to set aside interesting, educational and creative projects for them as well – let them make a home movie with free online software or outwit a virtual escape room together. A fantastic gift will be an upgraded tablet or smartphone if their current one is either outdated or runs slowly. Even if you’re on a budget, numerous wireless providers offer new tablets and smartphones with sign-up and trade-in deals, making it easy to save money on a new device.

Get Moving

Physical activities are also important, especially for growing and developing children. Even when you can’t go outside, planning indoor activities like a dance party can significantly improve your kids’ moods while keeping them moving. You can also simulate outdoor scenes in different parts of the house, like preparing an island-themed campground, or putting together an obstacle course. Another great idea of physical activity can be an air-mattress trampoline – blow up the air mattress and let the kids jump on it to their heart’s content!

Make Cooking Fun

Indoor days are the ideal time to get creative in the kitchen. Put together a make-your-own dessert bar with toppings that children love and can add to a cupcake, cookie or ice cream sundae. You can also get everyone involved in helping with dinner by making personal pizza dough for each child. Everyone gets to add the toppings they want, which comes with a bonus: you won’t have the kids turning up their noses about the meal you’ve prepared.

There will be plenty of days when your children can’t get outside, but as long as you plan in advance or have a few activities in mind, you can get our kids to use their imagination. Whether it’s cooking, enjoying a living room obstacle course or making their own movie, keeping your kids engaged and entertained doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. 

Carrie Spencer created The Spencers Adventures to share her family’s homesteading adventures. On the site, she shares tips on living self-sufficiently, fruit and vegetable gardening, parenting, conservation, and more.