55 Indoor Activities to Keep Kids Busy
Without Leaving the House.
With summer holidays fast approaching & plenty of wet weather (& toddler nap windows to work around), I always keep an indoor activity list to hand. Whether your kids are bouncing off the walls or you’re just looking to fill a rainy afternoon, this post has you covered.
This list includes a mix of life skills, arts & crafts, independent play, sensory fun, & special treats, so there's something for every age & every kind of day. These are all activities we've returned to again and again, tested & approved by my own three!
🧼 Life Skills
These activities double as play and life lessons because we all want to raise confident, capable kids!
Make a snack platter for the family
Set the table (get creative with a “restaurant” game)
Sort and pair socks from laundry
Learn how to fold clothes or make a bed
Wash windows or help clean the car interior
Help prepare lunch or bake simple treats
Do a toy clear out together
Reorganise bookshelves by colour or size
Practice using scissors safely
Sweep or vacuum (younger kids love mini brooms!)
🎨 Arts & Crafts
Messy enough to be fun, easy enough that you don’t need to supervise every second.
Junk modelling with recycling
Finger painting or foam brush painting
Make your own playdough or salt dough
Potato stamping or sponge painting
Simple embroidery or weaving for older kids
Nature inspired art (use leaves, twigs, flowers)
DIY bookmarks
Make friendship bracelets or necklaces
Decorate photo frames
Try origami or paper folding crafts
💡 Independent & Quiet Time Activities
Perfect when you need to get something done… or drink your tea while it’s still hot.
Colouring books or printables
Sticker books or reusable sticker scenes
Puzzles (floor puzzles or jigsaws)
Audiobooks with headphones
Free play with LEGO or DUPLO
Sorting activities (buttons, beads, pom poms)
Reusable water reveal colouring books
Toy rotation from a “boredom box”
Magnetic tiles or marble run
Solo board games (like Rush Hour or logic puzzles)
🧪 Sensory Play & Imaginative Fun
Engaging for toddlers and preschoolers, calming for older kids too.
Water play in the bath or kitchen sink
Make slime or oobleck
Set up a mini sand tray or kinetic sand bin
Create a “potion lab” with old herbs and glitter
Build a blanket fort
Set up a pretend shop, cafe or hairdresser
Play schools - let the kids be the teacher
Sensory bin with lentils, rice or dry pasta
Build an obstacle course with cushions
Bathe dolls or toy animals
🎥 Screen Time With a Twist
I have no problem with using screens, here are some ways to make it more intentional.
Watch a film with popcorn and dimmed lights
Do a kids’ yoga or dance session on YouTube
Try a science or art video tutorial
Video call grandparents or cousins
Use a drawing app or simple coding game
Follow along with a cooking or baking tutorial
Create a short video or stop motion clip
🎁 Bonus Ideas & Low Energy Wins
For the days when you’re tired and so are they.
Write letters or draw pictures for family
Create a “museum” and display toys or art
Storytime under a blanket with a torch
Make a time capsule
Play “Would You Rather?”
Do a toy swap with siblings or friends
Simple card games (Uno, Snap, Go Fish)
Make paper planes and see whose flies furthest
Set a challenge (build tallest tower, etc.)
Have a “yes” day - within reason!
💡Last Thing!
You don’t need to fill every minute but having a few go to ideas in your back pocket can make all the difference. I’ve found that simply offering 2–3 choices from this list often helps cut through complaints or bickering. When in doubt, join in for ten minutes - it often shifts the vibe entirely.
📌 Save this post or print it out for those “what can we do?” moments.
You may be interested in my other free posts in this series:
🛝 55 Ideas for Getting Out & About with Kiddos
🌿 Simple Outdoor Play Ideas: For The Garden, Sidewalk or Drive.
I will post some fun theme ideas for the summer holidays later this week.
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