Indoor activities for kids can be tricky to get right. But, when the weather's a little too wet, icy or cold to be venturing out here are a few ideas to keep everyone happy.
Having a toolkit of things to do like family days out to London or a wander around a Gruffalo Trail is great, sometimes indoor activities is the best choice.
And top tip; to get the kids involved, just casually leave the idea/activity there for them to do themselves. Setting it up and 'forcing the fun' just sees resistance. i.e. Try leaving a board game open with some pieces out on the dining table. It's more likely to pique their interest than parents sitting down and setting it all up for them.
Indoor activities for kids:
Make something
1. Tie-dye t-shirts
There's a whole host of kids arts and crafts to try indoors when the weather turns. Why not experiment with some colour and learn how to tie dye t-shirts with your little one?
Kids love rainbows and this fun activity will enable them to create a one-of-a-kind design that they can proudly show off to friends.
2. Make some bath bombs
Take bath-time to the next level by helping your kids make bath bombs from scratch.
Little ones will love splashing around in the colourful water. While adults alike will appreciate taking a moment to relax with scented oils after a stressful day.
Cheaper than splashing out on a fancy one, you can make one with some kitchen equipment and a few scented supplies, or pick up an easy how-to set.
3. Rainbow crafts
Kids adore colour and catching rainbows on those rare weather days.
Why not set up a craft station and focus on rainbow crafts, like a rainbow wand or these rainbow decorations.
Of course an assortment of coloured card is a must for this indoor activity. So be sure to pick some up or raid the craft box first.
4. Make a lava lamp
Brighten up the gloomy day with a homemade lava lamp they can keep in their bedroom. Easy and cheap to do - you'll find most of the ingredients are readily available kitchen items too.
Lava lamps are a great sensory stimulus for little ones. They’ll also show big kids the science behind the cool chemical reactions.
5. Make scrunchies
Older girls will certainly view an afternoon learning how to make hair scrunchies as time well spent.
Start by hunting around the house for old patterned fabrics that could do with a new lease of life. Then follow our tutorial, before encouraging them to add their own customisation.
6. Family dinner
Share your cooking knowledge and passion for food by having them join you in the kitchen.
You can keep it as simple and as safe as you like - think washing the salad, peeling eggs or stirring the pan.
Or why not try one of our kid-friendly recipes that lets them do most of the method themselves:
- 10 best recipes for kids aged 3-6 years old
- 10 best recipes for kids aged 7-11 years old
- 10 best recipes for kids aged 12 and over
7. Make a pen pot
Add a little organisation to your kids desk with these bunny pen pots are extra cute and functional too - being able to hold most of their school stationary supplies.
Learn how to make a pen pot from just a plastic bottle, some paint and a black felt tip marker. This is one craft that is sure to keep them busy for at least an afternoon.
8. Make a mug cake
A microwave mug cake recipe is a great trick to have up your sleeve on a rainy day.
Easy to do and ready in minutes, kids will love making a quick chocolate treat that they can tuck into after.
9. Painted masterpieces
Encourage your kids to be creative and make a bit of mess - break out the paper and paints and cover your table with newspaper before you start to protect it.
Poster paint is probably the best to use to start with. Make sure you have a jar filled with water to hand, so your kids can rinse out their brushes when they swap colours.
And you don't just have to use brushes - try using some different things to make pictures. If you have really young children, finger painting is great fun. Or why not slice some potatoes in half, cut out faces or other patterns and then dip them in paint and do some vegetable printing instead.
10. Stage a talent show
Have your budding ballerina or small soprano show off their skills in a family talent show in the living room. Read a Talent Show book together for inspiration, then help them get dressed up in costume and manage any recorded music they might need. Then sit back and watch your little stars shine.
11. Make pancakes have a flip-off contest
Recreate the fun of pancake day in one of our tastiest indoor activities for kids suggestions.
Have the kids choose what pancake recipes and pancake toppings they'd like to try. Then set a challenge to see who can successfully flip the most pancakes in 30 seconds.
And of course, the best bit is having some delicious pancakes to tuck into after!
12. Make a memory box
A memory box is one of the easiest indoor craft activities for kids to try on a rainy day. Requiring just a cardboard box and a little imagination.
Have them gather some of their favourites memories together - be that postcards, photos, their old favourite teddy. Add them to the box, then decorate the lid with glitter, paper and whatever else they can get their hands on.
When finished, it might be nice to sit down as a family and reminisce on their favourite moments together. A bit like a school show-and-tell.
13. Make dreamcatchers
Another one of our crafty indoor activities to keep kids happy is a DIY dreamcatcher.
Little ones - especially those who suffer from nightmares - will love the idea behind these. Plus they're sure to take pride of place in their bedrooms thanks to the crazy colours and beads they can decorate with them.
Our simple tutorial requires just some paper plates, string and a little imagination.
14. Paper mache
A balloon and some glue is all you need to entertain the kids on a wet afternoon. With our paper mache recipe giving you detailed steps on how to create the gooey mixture that's perfect for abstract craft creations.
One educational idea is to make a paper mache globe, then adding and learning about the countries that make it up.
15. Make some fresh pasta
The Italian staple is often a firm favourite with kids. But have you ever tried making fresh pasta with them and had them get their hands dirty with dough?
Our handy guide shows you how to make classics like spaghetti, linguini, ravioli, and fusilli from three simple ingredients.
You can readily pick up pasta flour from most supermarkets. Plus you might already have some flour and a carton of eggs already in the house ready to go.
Pasta is also a great introduction to the world of cooking for children. So what are you waiting for?
16. Make a paper hat
Got an old newspaper lying around that could be transformed into a fun toy?
Have your kids learn how to make a paper hat in a few easy steps.
We're sure that the accessory will be enough to inspire some good old-fashioned playtime. Doubling up as a pirate hat or helmet for a make-believe soldier or astronaut.
17. Get baking
Get the kids in the kitchen and trying their hand at easy kids baking recipes like cakes, cookies, biscuits and bread.
Not only will you be teaching them the art of baking, but they'll also be improving their number skills when weighing out the ingredients and learning how to follow instructions by using the recipe.
Just make sure they're wearing an apron, they wash their hands properly before and after and steer clear of any knives.
Do something
18. Pamper afternoon
It's not just adults who can benefit from a little R&R.
Why not rope in the little ones for a face mask or chance to paint their nails? This mini spa is an easy option.
Younger kids also love 'playing hairdressers' on family members, so why not left them loose with a brush and a few clips on mum and dad?
19. Put on a comedy show
Lighten up an otherwise gloomy day with a little children's stand up.
Have your little ones brush up on some of the best knock-knock jokes for kids. Then have them perform a short routine to the family. Maybe even throw in a few dad jokes to really play up to the audience.
Kids will love the confidence boost that comes from making adults laugh. And you never know - it might reveal a budding comedian-in-the-making.
20. Do a jigsaw
Puzzles are a perfect rainy day activity that will also develop children's motor and concentration skills, and they can make a great mindfulness activity for kids too. Try this bright rainforest one.
Challenge older kids to ones with over 1,000 pieces. And be on hand to help younger ones as they muddle through.
21. Go on a treasure hunt
This one takes a bit of time and effort on your part, but your kids will really appreciate it.
The treasure needs to be hidden somewhere in the house, preferably where it cannot be found by accident. Then you just have to write some clues and hide them around the house - they will lead from one to the other, until the final one shows you the location of the prize.
The age of your kids will depend on how difficult or easy your clues are and be careful of any clues near valuable or dangerous items. If you're being really inventive, you could always make pretend pirate maps, get your kids to dress up and make it a realistic hunt for 'buried' treasure.