This is the best list of indoor activities for kids—a bold statement, I know. You come to this lady on the internet, and she assures you she has the best ideas for kids. As a mom of three active boys, I know what it is like to have an impromptu sick day and how a rainy day can have everyone bouncing off the walls (myself included). From toddlers to older kids, these are the best indoor activities for your whole family to enjoy.
RELATED: Spending a lot of time this season? Here are 40 winter activities for kids.
How to entertain kids indoors
Good news! You can entertain a child at home with simple play prompts to get them started with independent play. Screen time can also be used as a tool; there is no shame in that when placed strategically throughout your day. If you are looking for a guide, the Startup Guide is an excellent resource that shares fun ways to build a predictable routine at home with kids.
And I get it. I am also not always up for a giant indoor obstacle course exploding in my living room – even if the floor is lava (IYKYK). Here are fun indoor activities for your family.
Who has time to search for ideas?
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Indoor activities for kids of all ages
After ten years of parenting, I have a few go-to indoor activities that are always tried and true. Board games, dance parties, and scavenger hunts never let me down.
Board games for the entire family have come a long way. I fondly remember the classic game Candy Land, but have you tried Sleeping Queens, Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza, or Outfoxed? Winners. Here, you will find the best list of board games for your toddler, preschool, and older kids.
Scavenger hunts are another fun way to entertain inside and get all the wiggles out. This collection has eight new ways to get the hunting party started inside.
I also never underestimate a dance party. Turn on your favorite songs to get everyone dancing together in the kitchen. We like to add a disco light on days that need a big pick-me-up.
Indoor fun activities for toddlers
To be even more organized, I put the toddler activity list in the same order as the pictures above. Want more than eight ideas? The toddler activity list has even more ways for your two and three-year-olds to play.
Toy Color Sort
Gather different items that are blue, yellow, and red. Your toddler will discover new ways to play with familiar toys after color-sorting them.
Drive and Drop
Add a little creativity into the day by reusing a cardboard box and turning it into a driving course. Watch what happens when your busy toddler tries to find where the car went.
Kitchen Match-Up
Toddlers love kitchen tools! Let them explore what’s inside your drawers with this simple matching puzzle.
Wash the Socks
Head back to the recycle bin for another easy activity that also improves fine motor and engages imaginative play.
Sticky Pumpkin
Contact paper is a fun supply to have on hand. Change this idea up for different seasonal activities.
Sock Matching Game
Painter’s tape never lets me down. It is one of the simple materials I could not live without. Create a grid for your toddler to find the matching pair.
Sensory Bin
A sensory bin is a great way to entertain toddlers indoors. This is your how-to guide.
Toddler Painting
Gather different items that are blue, yellow, and red. Your toddler will discover new ways to play with familiar toys after color-sorting them.
Preschool indoor easy activities
This is our bread and butter. This corner of the web is loaded with preschool activities. Here is just a taste of our favorites. Find the entire list of hands-on activities for preschoolers here. Again, I put the toddler activity list in the same order as the pictures above.
Ice Skating Bears
Freezing toys in a muffin tin is an easy way for preschoolers to play with an indoor sensory bin.
Paper Roll Counting Game
Gather the paper towel and toilet paper rolls and tape them to the wall. Roll the dice and drop that amount of bears down. You can also play with pom poms.
Tape Roads
Use painter’s tape to inspire imaginary play with race cars.
Clay at Home
We know art activities make great indoor ideas to help pass the time, but have you tried clay?
Cloud Dough Construction Bin
This sensory bin can be made using simple ingredients from home.
Letter Park
Use sticky notes to make letter parking spots for the race cars to drive into. Use the floor or coffee table to play.
Sticker Match-Up
If you have a drawer full of stickers, this activity is for you! Invite your preschooler to match the same stickers.
Pipe Cleaner Stick Wands
Wrap pipe cleaners around sticks to create magic wands.
RELATED: Sensory activities for kids are almost always how we spend our late mornings. These 40+ sensory bins for kids will leave you with countless easy ideas to stir away from boredom.
Fun indoor games for kindergarten
Big kids need hands-on learning and time to play. I added each idea in the order of the main image above. (That’s what happens when a busy mom makes a post for other busy parents that skim and scan) Find all our ideas for big kids on the Kindergarten activity list.
- Secret Messages for Kindergarteners
- DIY Coin Bank
- Building Free Play – Yes! Big kids need time to play with blocks.
- Kindergarten Word Families
- Plotting Points on a Grid for Kids
- Beginning Sounds Toy Match
- Bubble Wrap Painting with Paper Towel Rolls
- Popsicle Sticks 3D Shape Build
RELATED: Playing board games with big kids is so much fun. I made this list to share our favorites.
Fine motor indoor activities for kids
Strengthen hand muscles and improve dexterity with play. These simple ideas for kids help improve pencil grip and fine motor strength. These are my favorite ways for toddlers and preschoolers to play because most supplies are found in the junk drawer.
- Sticker Ten Frames
- Sticker Pairs
- Highlighter Trace
- Squirt Paint Color Mix
- Bring the Bears Home
- Poke the Alphabet
- Tape Cut Rescue
- Alphabet Dot to Dot
RELATED: Sticker activities are some of my favorite ways to strengthen small hand muscles through play.
Gross motor indoor activities
Even indoors, kids don’t stop moving. (and now they don’t have to!) Here are FUN indoor ideas to help tame the couch-jumping and also honor the need for physical activity. Our more extensive list of gross motor skills for kids is found here.
- Drive in the Colors
- Tracks at the Tree Farm
- Indoor Golf Tracks
- The Claw
- Pour to the Lines
- Garage Ball Toss
- Magnetic Tiles Bowling
- Treasure Map
Activities on Demand
Want great ideas without the ads? Download these 20 hands-on learning games for kids.
FAQ
We all know it is important to allow kids time to be bored. But sometimes, a few ideas can go a long way to spark independent play. This list of 101 preschool activities for kids is an excellent starting place.
I begin the day with play starting the boys with a Breakfast Invitation. This sets the intention for the day. But nothing is harder than kids reminding you all day that they are bored. When they do, I remind them that they can play or help me clean. Use these activity cards for kids to spark ideas.
Toy storage and keeping toys at eye level are important to inspiring more play at home. Use this toy storage post to see how we organize what we need for indoor play.
