09 Dec Fun Activities for Kids to Do At Home
It’s not always easy to keep your kids entertained on rainy days, during colder weather, or any other time you have to be at home. With three kids of my own, I know how difficult it can be to find new activities for kids to do at home, so I’ve put together a list of some ideas you can try!
Activities to Burn Their Energy
These suggestions are meant to help kids get their energy out! They work great before naptime or bedtime, but you can do them at any point during the day.
The Floor Is Lava
The Floor is Lava is a fun option if you don’t mind your kids being on the furniture or have a room where you can set up things like blankets and pillows on the ground. The point is to try to get from one side of the room to the other without touching the floor. Whoever touches the floor is “out,” and the game continues until only one person has managed to avoid the “lava.”
Keep Up the Balloon
I love this one! It’s so simple and will keep kids entertained for a while. It’s also a great activity if you’ve just had a party or celebration and have leftover supplies. Just hit a balloon lightly into the air and get your kids involved with making sure it doesn’t hit the ground.
Hopscotch
Hopscotch can be played inside or outside, depending on the space you have. If you have an outdoor area, the hopscotch squares can be drawn on the pavement with chalk, and if you have space indoors, you can use tape on the floor to outline the hopscotch squares. Here’s a handy how-to guide if you’ve never played or need some reminding on how it goes: https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/hopscotch/
Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek is sure to be a hit with little kids! My daughter Rosie loves it and always asks to play! It’s great for keeping your children busy and getting their energy out while also being a quieter option.
Freeze Dance
What is more fun than a dance party with your kids?! This is a twist on a classic dance party that makes it a little more engaging. Start by playing your favorite songs and dancing around with your children. Whenever the music stops (you pause it!), everyone has to freeze in whatever position they’re in until the music starts up again. This one usually leaves my kids giggling and gets out any of their extra energy!
Activities to Let Them Get Creative
These activities are great for when you want your kids to use their imagination or you need an activity that keeps them in one place.
Finger painting
Finger painting might be the messiest of all the options, but it’s such a great, tactile way for kids to get creative. I like to tape a garbage bag onto the table before getting out the paints to help keep everything as clean as possible.
Seasonal crafts
I love this one during the holiday season because the crafts can double as presents! What grandparent doesn’t love to get something handmade from their grandchildren?! Pinterest is a gold mine for craft ideas.
Make Jewelry
I remember making friendship bracelets as a child and having so much fun with it. Making jewelry with your children is a simple way to let them be creative without it being too messy. You can use beads or just use string/yarn to make braided bracelets.
Activities to Stimulate Their Brains
Even if it’s not time for school, it’s never a bad idea to encourage our kids to use their brains. Here are some activities that are so fun, they might not even realize they’re learning!
Memory/Matching Cards
Games like this are good for helping kids develop a longer attention span and can improve their ability to focus. They also help with visual recognition skills and short-term memory. You can buy memory games from most stores that sell children’s games, or you can make your own with paper and simple drawings.
Board Games
Board games are a great way to keep kids entertained while teaching them to follow rules and directions. With varying levels of difficulty (from Candyland to Monopoly), there are plenty of options available that suit your children’s ages and interests.
Reading
Reading to or with your children is such a fun experience and is so vital to their development. In fact, we think it’s so important that we’ve written a blog post about helping your kids love to read.
Activities to Keep Them Quiet
Let’s face it. Sometimes you just need some peace and quiet, and these activities are great for those moments.
Screen Time
Too much screen time isn’t good for kids, but we all know it’s a sanity saver when used in moderation. Try doing a little family bonding by sharing your favorite childhood movies with your kids, or take advantage of the plethora of educational apps available. Our family loves the Epic Digital Reading Library and Khan Academy. There are also plenty of educational apps out there that masquerade as games and can keep children entertained while also helping them learn.
The Quiet Game
I remember playing this in school as a child and realizing it was just a fun way for our teacher to keep the class quiet. This is a great way to get your children to practice being quiet when necessary, and you can encourage them to want to play by offering small rewards, like extra screen time or a cookie for dessert.
Plan Your Activities Ahead of Time
One of the best ways to keep yourself sane is to plan activities ahead of time. This prevents you from feeling stressed throughout the day about what to do next, and it can give your kids something to look forward to (if you share your plans with them).
Plan Your Days With Artful Agenda
No Comments