Indoor Family Fun: 50+ (Mostly) Creative Things to Do Inside with Kids

Whether it’s temperature extremes, bad weather, sick kiddos, or a matter of logistics, every parent or caregiver needs a reliable list of things to do inside with kids. What you can do and how independent the little ones can be will obviously vary with their ages, but (especially when you’re exhausted) often what you need is a good list of ideas to get you started. Once you get the ball rolling, the kiddos will often let their own imaginations take it from there. Here are dozens of ideas for you to springboard off of, from the fast and free to the planned events that range from cheap to moderate in cost. Some will keep you at home, some will take you out of the house, but all of them will keep you indoors and out of the weather.

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One of the best things to do inside with kids is to read! Why not take a rainy day to learn about the Golden Rule? Order I Am Kind today!

Staying Put: Keep the Kids Busy Inside at Home

Whether it’s your budget, transportation issues, or simple exhaustion (I get it) parents often need things to do inside with kids right at home without having to go anywhere. It can feel daunting, especially if you’ve been up half the night with an infant, to wake up in the morning and nail it when it comes to activities for the rest of the family. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

Waffle Bar

If baking isn’t in your indoor future for the day, frozen waffles offer lots of possibilities. With a quick toast they’re ready to eat, but why waste this opportunity for some fun? Try a waffle bar! Set out berries and chopped up fruit, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, marshmallows, whipped cream, and other fun toppings and let the kids decorate their waffles. In fact, you may want to keep small containers of these toppings on hand to pull out for not just waffles, but pancakes, ice cream, and whatever else you dream up!

Taco or Pasta Bar

Along the same lines, turn mealtime into indoor fun with a taco or pasta bar. With a base of a tortilla or a bowl of noodles, have the kids build their own masterpiece. (Be prepared to answer the question what rhymes with taco!) Cheese, diced meat, sauces, even shredded carrots or diced hard boiled eggs could become a work of art on their dinner plate. Try different types of cheese to see which melts the best. See who can make the most creative or tastiest dish. The only problem here (besides the clean up!) is that they might build a taco or past bowl they don’t like and won’t eat, so serve up these activities at your risk tolerance!

Let them Play with Food

Got expired canned food? Packages of snacks no one liked? Kiddos like to play with food? Perfect. Keep a box to stash these undesirables in and then pull them out on a rainy day. Let the kiddos mix, mash, and match. Stir that muffin mix that got lost in the pantry for three years into an old jar of tomato sauce or plain water. Make the most hilariously disgusting goo possible. It sounds gross (and it is), but my son loved these “food experiments” and would ask to play with the old food over and over. Yes, this is messy. Put down a drop cloth or park them in a place where it’s okay to get dirty. (Try the garage, if you have one!) Make sure they know this is for fun, and not to eat! Obviously we don’t want to use moldy or dangerous food here, and keep an eye on their activities so the littles don’t do stuff like lean over and inhale a powdered mix. Just stick to items past their prime or within date but you know no one will eat that you’re comfortable with the kids playing with.

Imaginative Play Things to Do Inside with Kids

When it comes to fast and free, you can’t beat imagination games and play. But as the parent, don’t feel like you have to shoulder the burden of coming up with the ideas for these activities for the family. Often a single thought, word, book, or photograph can launch a child into hours of creative, imaginative play. Give them a spark, and their own creativity will go wild. Here are some ideas you might try and see which ones are a hit with your family.

Art Gallery with Private Exhibition Events

If you’re like most parents, you’ve already got enough artwork to create your own gallery. But don’t just make it a museum – make it a family event by turning it into a private showing with each child showing off their work in a solo or group exhibition. Have them make tickets to the showing, set up the gallery, make food for the event (cheese and crackers are perfect!), and even put pricing on their art that you can buy with play money. Activities like this require creativity and often use up plenty of time and effort on a rainy or cold (or if you live in the south, hot and humid) day. Events that they have to plan, create art for, and execute hone a lot of real-life skills and are valuable memory makers. Especially for kids who love art, you might want to invest in a few small easels and art canvases to keep on hand for events like this. 

Create a Stuffie Zoo or Aquarium

If your house is anything like ours, you’ve got a metric ton of stuffed animals. This is the perfect opportunity to turn a bedroom, hallway, or living room into a zoo or aquarium. Give each animal its own “pen” using a box or simply mark a square outline on the floor with painters tape. (If you have a cat, the cat will put itself into the zoo. Seriously, create a square on the floor with tape and your cat will sit in it. Fact checked true by Belle Green’s own cats!) Your child can then be the zookeeper, feed the animals, train them, and give tours to you, to the other kids, to other stuffed animals or dolls, and lots of other zoo and aquarium activities. As an added bonus you can pick a few animals to learn more about, making it an educational and fun experience for everyone!

Create a Library or Bookstore

This one is a classic at our house. Have the kids set up a shop using all the books in your home library (or if you’re like us, a tiny fraction of the books) to create a library or bookstore. Customers can then browse and “check out” either to borrow or buy the books. You can be a customer, and so can other kids, and even stuffed animals (those little guys are everywhere!). In addition to being fun and engaging, you can also use these types of indoor play activities to encourage math and writing skills. See if they can categorize books by topic, color, or size. For a bookstore (or for any of these imagination play places) make sure to have a cash register on hand. 

Create a Pet Shop, Animal Shelter, or Vet Clinic

Kids love animals, so any kind of animal play is a good start to indoor fun. Use those stuffed animals as pets up for adoption or sale, or bring them into the vet clinic for a checkup. One of my son’s stuffed kitties had a rip in her paw, and we made a huge production of sewing her up. We put down a sheet, the whole family donned surgical masks, kitty was “put under” with general anesthesia, and my husband sewed up her paw with our son acting as the surgical assistant. There are really no limits when it comes to pet and animal related play!

Create a Restaurant or Coffee Shop

A cold, hot, or rainy day is the perfect time to open a play restaurant or coffee shop! Kids love to play restaurant, and because parents and caregivers are always the customers, it gives you a chance to be off your feet for a few minutes. Put all that toy food to good use and give the kids a workout in remembering your order (or try having them practice writing or drawing what you ordered on a notepad). Maybe your restaurant can also host events put on by the art gallery or a local (very local) museum (more on that below!). They could also make their own grocery store with this idea as well. Don’t forget to include dolls and stuffed animals as customers, too!

Create a Museum

A museum visit is one of those indoor activities that can feel boring to kids. We’ll dive into making them more fun and interesting later, but in the meantime, you can try letting the kids create a museum of their own for the family. My son once created a bunch of ancient artifacts that he then put on display in his own museum, then gave tours. To help kids come up with their own ideas, remind them that there are a lot of different types of museums. Art, history, natural history, science, technology, all kinds of specialties, and so on. If they love robots, have them put all their robots on display. Do they collect unicorns? Pull them all out! Have them take you on a tour and tell you all about each item. Try it and see if creating their own museum makes them more interested in visiting real ones.

Make an Indoor Park for Dolls or Stuffies

Give the kids a workout in creativity and STEM skills by making an indoor park for dolls, action figures, or stuffed animals. How will they make a swing? A slide? What about monkey bars? What else would they like to play on? Activities like this have two parts: first creating the park, and then letting the toys give the equipment a try! Feeling a little wild? Turn the bathtub into an indoor water park for rubber ducks or other toys that are water proof. Keep your camera handy because indoor parks can quickly become events to remember!

Try These Other Ideas to Launch Indoor Play 

Another way to make indoor play more fun is to take outdoor activities and turn them into indoor activities. Pitch a tent in the living room and go “camping” (I recommend a tent specifically for using inside that hasn’t actually been in the woods!). Make an old-fashioned bedsheet fort with a box fan and a few weights or books. Put on a safari hat and go room to room spotting imaginary wildlife. Cover the windows, turn on a lamp, and teach them how to make shadow figures on the wall. While they’re at it, try taping paper to the wall so they can trace the outlines of stuffed animals or other toys. Any kind of imaginary play is perfect for indoor days – kiddos often just need a nudge in the right direction.

Competitive Indoor Play: Kids vs. Kids or Kids vs. Parents

Especially if you have boys, things often turn into a competition – or even a battle. Instead of fighting it, roll with it. Some of the most fun we’ve had as a family are events where we battled it out. Fortunately it doesn’t have to be destructive. Here are some ideas you can try today for a little indoor PVP action that the whole family can enjoy and isn’t too much of a disaster (we hope).

Indoor Snowball Fight

If you live in Michigan, you probably don’t have any shortage of snow over the winter. But you can’t have an indoor snowball fight. Or can you?? Pelting your family with fake snowballs can be a short skirmish or a full-on battle. The good thing about fake snowballs is that they are lightweight (no blackeyes) and low-damage (fewer repair bills). They are also cheap, long-lasting, and don’t melt during your indoor fight. Whether it’s just too cold outside or if you’re in an area where you don’t receive snow at all, indoor snowballs will always be a HIT.

Laser Tag

If you’re tired of gluing together broken vases, cleaning up messes from thrown items, or have a pet that eats fake snowballs or Nerf darts (I feel you), try a little family laser tag. While the initial kit may be a bit of an investment depending on your budget, you’ll get a lot of enjoyment out of it without as much destruction (and buying replacements for those broken things!). We got this one as a family gift this past Christmas and I have to say it was a lot more fun than our traditional Nerf battle because we could go anywhere in the house. (Our cat eats Nerf darts so Nerf battles have to be in an access-controlled room!)

Nerf Shooting Range

It’s tried and true for a reason, and genuinely fun for all ages. Who doesn’t like a Nerf battle? Well, probably moms who are stuck cleaning up the mess. Try keeping the battle contained to a single room, or channel those darts into a smaller target by setting up a shooting range. Set up shooting events and go head to head to see who can knock over the most plastic cups. Especially if you have boys, these competitions can keep their attention for quite some time, and a shooting gallery is less chaotic and damaging than a full-on Nerf war.

Indoor Bowling at Home

You don’t need to buy anything special to do indoor bowling at home. Set up a pyramid of plastic cups (we have a full set of clear Solo cups just for this purpose) and knock them down with the fake snowballs you bought for the indoor snowball fight. Try mini bowling with Dixie cups and a rubber bouncy ball. Stack blocks and knock them over with stuffies. Literally your options are endless, and once the kiddos get rolling (haha) they’ll find plenty of ways to create their own indoor bowling allies with all kinds of stuff you’ve already got on hand.

Is today an indoor day? That’s perfect for learning about kindness. Learn at home, then go out into the world and be the change with I Am Kind: Kindness Practices for Kids.

Things to Do Inside with Kids (Outside of the House)

Even on rainy days or times of the year when it’s simply too hot or too cold, sometimes you just need to get out of the house. But rather than freeze or melt on the park playground, you can find some other fun indoor ways to keep the kids entertained. Here are some ideas to start with.

Museum and Library Family Events

Sign up for email lists from local museums, parks, and libraries and stay up-to-date on their activities. They often have interesting events geared toward children that can get you out of the house but still provide indoor fun – especially libraries. Many libraries offer story times, light educational classes, game play or craft times, and other activities for a wide range of ages for free or for a nominal fee. While you’re there, check out a bunch of new books to keep the kiddos occupied after you go home! Museums also have special family or children’s events and activities at affordable prices or even for free. You might even learn something new!

Indoor Water Parks and Community Pools

Indoor water parks like Great Wolf Lodge can be lots of fun any time of year. If you’re lucky enough to live close to a water park like this it can be a fun family treat, and they make great experience gifts for kids! But it’s also on the more expensive side of family indoor activities. So if you live in a larger metro area, check with your local parks to find out which facilities, if any, have indoor pools. Generally pools run by your county are relatively inexpensive and well-maintained. The kiddos can splash and have fun in the water, and you can also sign them up for swimming lessons while you’re at it!

Indoor Park Facilities and Trampoline Parks

To be honest, a trampoline park can be a lifesaver for a family and there are nothing but winners. The kiddos can run themselves ragged and you can stay out of the elements. If you sign up for a membership the yearlong financial investment isn’t too bad, and you’ve got a go-to solution for indoor days. Some of them have special smaller sections for younger ages, so if you’ve got toddlers try to find one where they won’t be run over by the big kids. (Going to an urgent care is NOT an indoor activity anyone wants!)

Many county park facilities have gymnasiums that can be used for free at certain times. Make sure you’re on their email list to be notified of events, activities, and open free play times so you can maximize your use of low or no-cost family fun. Bring your balls, jump ropes, etc. and enjoy the indoor wide open space!

Indoor Classics: Bowling, Movies, and Arcades

Are they imaginative? No. Are they indoor family activities? Yes. Don’t feel like you have to be a creative machine and try to come up with all the ideas on your own. It’s okay to default to bowling alleys, movie theaters, arcades, go-kart places, indoor miniature golf, or other family activities and events that might be considered cliché. Your life is already filled with non-stop drama. Give yourself a break when you need it!

Plan your acts of kindness at home, then go out into the world and put them into action! Read I Am Kind: Kindness Practices for Kids today.

When Mom (or Dad) Needs to Work: Independent(ish) Play Time

With many parents working from home, childcare expenses can often be reduced or eliminated. But you don’t want your job to be eliminated because of non-stop distractions from our kiddos. They don’t understand, and you know they don’t understand, and you would probably rather be hanging out with them anyway. But unless you’ve got a high-profile YouTube channel where you play with children all day, that’s not going to pay the bills. Here are some ways to encourage kids to think creatively and play on their own so you can get some (somewhat) dedicated work time in.

Make an Indoor Drive-In Theater

You can also maximize movie time by having the kiddos create an indoor drive-in theater. Have them turn boxes into cars, print tickets for movie time, and of course pop some popcorn. This extends the amount of non-screen time surrounding screen time, not to mention creating some fun family memories. Have them drive to and park their cars in front of the TV. Make it a matinee and get some work done while they enjoy the show! Or combine the taco/pasta bar idea and make it dinner and a movie.

Make Screen Time Count

Screens are often the default way to keep little ones entertained on indoor days. But rather than just giving up and letting them binge watch their favorite cartoon, why not make that screen time a little more interactive? Opt for YouTube videos from family and kid-safe channels that offer ways to learn basic skills, (how many letters should a 2 year-old know, anyway?) teach yoga or dance moves, take children on a thoughtful adventure (we love the Adventure Agents!), or otherwise encourage them to engage with their world after the show is over.

Decorate a Box House

You can’t discuss indoor play without talking about boxes. A good box can literally become anything for children of all ages. We’ve made houses for stuffed animals, houses for imaginary creatures (we have a house gnome), tanks, forts, spaceships, fire trucks, etc. Box play activities could quickly become all-day play, so keep markers and stickers on hand for decorating. And of course, don’t ever let a good box go to waste! Try this classic indoor play gem today.

Kindness starts at home, so add I Am Kind: Kindness Practices for Kids to your home library today! Learn more.

Be the Indoor Inspiration

As the parent, we always have to lead by example. Children can sniff out even the mildest case of hypocrisy a mile away. (Annoying, right? But it also keeps us honest!) So if we are going to ask children to entertain themselves creatively and without (or with limited) screens on indoor days, we need to make the effort to do the same ourselves. I know that we are tired. I know that we often feel tapped out in the creativity department. But maybe some of the ideas in this article will reignite your own creative spark, and you can get in on the imagination action today, too. Make the most out of indoor days and the memories will take care of themselves.

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