Some days, no matter what I suggest, the girls quickly lose interest, and the house echoes with “I’m bored!”
As a parent, I know how challenging it can be to keep kids entertained indoors. This is especially tough when outside activities aren’t an option due to weather, illness, or other constraints.
The teacher in me loves turning play into learning, and these fun indoor games do just that. They provide endless hours of entertainment while encouraging creativity and teamwork.
Let’s dive into some fun games that will bring joy to every corner of your home!
Key Takeaways
- Indoor games for kids can help develop essential life skills, from problem-solving to creative thinking.
- Technology adds a new dimension to fun indoor games with digital learning tools, educational content, and interactive play.
- Imaginative indoor games are non-competitive and often non-physical but still teach valuable skills.
- I have fun games for rainy days and activities for snowy days, too, so you always have something in your back pocket when everyone is stuck indoors!
33 Best Indoor Games for Kids for Endless Entertainment at Home
When you are stuck inside, the right indoor games can make all the difference.
That’s why I’m so excited to share these fun indoor games for kids with you – I know they’ll bring smiles and laughter to your home just as they have to mine.
1. Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt is a fun indoor game that never gets old, perfect for kids of all ages.
All you need are clues or riddles, small prizes like stickers or candies, and some imagination. I love using a small chest as our “treasure chest” filled with fun prizes from the dollar store!
This great indoor game encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and patience.
2. Fort Building
Kids can make play-forts indoors with cardboard boxes, blankets, pillows, and couch cushions. They even ask my husband to hang blankets from the ceiling to give them more vertical space!
This fun activity encourages creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving as they figure out how to stabilize their structure.
3. Red Light, Green Light
Do you remember playing ‘Red Light, Green Light’ as a kid? It was one of my favorites. This classic game is a fun way to improve listening and quick thinking, even indoors!
One person acts as the ‘traffic light,’ and the rest try to touch them. When the traffic light shouts ‘red light,’ everyone must freeze. Anyone caught moving is out.
The game continues until someone touches the traffic light person and wins.
4. The Floor is Lava
Let’s heat things up with an exciting game of ‘The Floor Is Lava,’ a favorite of my girls!
It’s easy to play. The floor is lava, and players must avoid touching it by jumping on furniture or cushions.
This game promotes physical activity and creativity as kids find ways to cross the room without touching the ‘lava.’
5. Bowling
You can set up a fun indoor bowling game at home with empty plastic bottles and a softball! Everyone can take turns racking up points and see how good their score gets!
This game helps develop hand-eye coordination and basic math skills like counting and arithmetic.
6. Twister
My husband loves this one! This game promotes physical activity and flexibility.
Players touch different colored spots on a mat with their hands and feet.
The game requires balance and agility because if you fall, you’re out. It’s a fun and challenging game for children of all ages.
7. Balloon Tennis (Keepie Uppie)
Balloon Tennis, or what the girls call “Keepie Uppie,” is a game in which kids try to keep a balloon in the air with their hands or a makeshift racket.
This game encourages physical activity, enhances hand-eye coordination, and is suitable for children aged three and older.
8. Origami
I loved this as a child! The Japanese art of paper folding is a quiet, engaging activity that’s fun and educational for kids.
From beautiful flowers and animals to cubes and floating boats, origami offers endless possibilities to entertain kids for hours.
It also enhances fine motor skills and introduces basic geometry and fractions.
9. Pictionary
Teachers love fun team-building games, and Pictionary is one of the best!
Players draw a word without using letters or numbers, and teammates must guess it from the drawing.
This game provides lots of fun and laughter while enhancing nonverbal communication and drawing skills.
10. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
If you have younger kids, give them a list of items to find in the house that starts with different letters—for example, A—apple, B—book, and C—crayon.
My girls love playing this alphabet game.
11. Musical Chairs
My girls love musical chairs, and they’re simple to set up since what you need is in the title—music and chairs.
Players walk around the chairs until the music stops, then quickly find a seat. The one left standing is out.
This game promotes physical activity, teaches kids to follow the rules, and brings out their competitive spirit.
12. Freeze Dance
This fun game has kids dance to music and freeze when it stops. We love finding YouTube videos with silly songs that tell you when to freeze.
It’s a great way to encourage movement and improve children’s listening skills.
13. Hopscotch
Another favorite for my girls! This classic playground game can be brought indoors with painter’s tape.
Kids hop through squares on one foot, testing their balance and coordination. They also develop gross motor skills, learn to take turns, and follow rules.
14. Play Pretend
This game is like Charades, but my girls call it “Play Pretend.” Instead of predefined prompts, we create our own.
For example, they might act out being an astronaut, chef, or kitten. This game sparks their imagination, boosts storytelling skills, and provides lots of laughs and bonding moments.
15. DIY Obstacle Course
Obstacle courses are so much fun! It’s easy to create one at home using items like pillows, hula hoops, and chairs.
We also like to include “The Floor is Lava” in our courses. This game encourages physical activity and problem-solving skills and can be adjusted to your child’s age and abilities.
16. Race Paper Planes
This game is perfect for those who love friendly competition.
Each player makes a paper plane, decorates it, and races to see whose flies the furthest. (Mine always wins!)
It’s a fun way to boost creativity and hand-eye coordination while teaching kids about aerodynamics.
17. Hot Potato
In this game, players pass an object in a circle while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the ‘hot potato’ is out.
It’s a great way to boost hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes.
18. Play Dough Art
Playing with play dough is a timeless activity. I love joining in, too! Kids can create anything, from animals to food, using their imagination and fine motor skills.
It also helps them learn about colors and textures, making it a great sensory activity for young children.
19. Guess Who
Boost your child’s critical thinking with Guess Who! Players ask a yes or no question to guess the identity of the mystery person.
We personalize our game by using pictures of family members on the pieces.
20. Paint Your Dreams
This game is perfect for art-loving kids! Each player gets a blank canvas and paints to create a painting that represents their dreams or aspirations.
This game lets children express their creativity and encourages them to think about their goals. Plus, you get beautiful artwork to hang up afterward!
21. Ping Pong
If you have the space, get a ping-pong table! We found a cheap second-hand one online.
Ping pong improves hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and teamwork. Plus, it’s fun for both kids and adults. Challenge your kids to a match and see who wins!
22. Memory Games
Memory games are a great way to boost a child’s cognitive skills. They can range from simple matching games to more complex puzzles that test memory and attention.
They’re fun and beneficial for mental development.
23. Indoor Hockey
Roll up some socks into balls and use them as pucks for your own indoor hockey game!
All you need is some makeshift hockey sticks – we like to use wrapping paper tubes.
This game promotes gross motor skills, teamwork, and physical activity.
24. Hula Hoop
See who can hula the longest. Believe it or not, my husband always wins!
This game is entertaining and improves coordination, balance, and core strength.
25. Start A Band
Music lovers, this one’s for you! Starting a band can be a fun and creative activity for kids.
They can make their instruments or use real ones if available. This fosters creativity, teamwork, and a love for music.
26. Make Bottle Hurricanes/Sensory Toys
Fill empty water bottles with water, glitter, food coloring, and small objects like beads or sequins. Glue the lid shut for a mess-free sensory toy.
Children can shake them to create hurricanes or simply play and discover what’s inside. This activity lets children explore materials and textures while providing a calming sensory experience.
27. Ring Toss
Use paper plates with holes cut out as the rings, and try to toss them onto a bottle or cone.
This game improves hand-eye coordination and can also be modified for different skill levels by changing the distance between the rings and the target.
28. Puppet Show
Create your puppets using socks, paper bags, or even old gloves.
Then, put on a puppet show for the whole family to enjoy! This activity promotes creativity, imagination, and storytelling skills.
29. Hide & Seek
Ready or not, here we come! Hide and Seek is a timeless game that’s always fun.
It’s an exciting indoor activity for kids of all ages, a great way to get them moving and boost their problem-solving skills.
30. Indoor Golf
We love creating mini golf courses using household items like cups, cardboard tubes, and plastic bottles.
This game promotes hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and creativity, especially when kids design their own courses.
31. Jenga
One of our favorite board games is Jenga. Remove blocks from a tower and place them on top without letting it fall.
It requires concentration, balance, and a steady hand, and it’s great for improving children’s fine motor skills.
32. Make Homemade Cards
My kids love making homemade cards! It keeps them entertained for hours.
This activity lets them be creative and teaches them about giving and gratitude. They can make cards for family, friends, or even healthcare workers to show appreciation.
33. Video Chat Friends & Family
In our digital era, staying connected with loved ones is just a click away. They can play fun indoor games together or share daily activities.
My oldest even does her homework online with a friend! It’s a great way to foster social interaction and strengthen bonds, no matter the distance.
Use Technology For Fun & Learning
In today’s digital world, countless ways exist to use technology for indoor fun and educational activities.
From interactive apps and online games to virtual reality and streaming educational videos, the options are endless.
These tools entertain and enhance learning, making it easy to combine play with education right from home.
Yoga Videos
The girls and I love doing online yoga videos designed for kids. (They’re easier for mom, too!)
This activity promotes fitness, focus, flexibility, and mindfulness. Plus, it’s a great way to relax together after a busy day.
Prodigy English & Math Games
Making math fun for kids can be challenging, but not with Prodigy English & Math Games! This digital tool combines math practice with the excitement of a video game.
Designed for children from first to eighth grade, it offers a curriculum across several learning levels.
Prodigy Math adapts to each student’s learning pace, enhancing their overall experience. It’s a great way to make learning math engaging.
ABC Mouse
ABC Mouse is an online learning tool offering a comprehensive curriculum for children ages 2-8. It combines games, puzzles, and activities to teach math, reading, and science.
The resource adapts to each child’s progress and provides parent reports. With over 850 lessons and 9,000 activities, ABC Mouse keeps children engaged and learning indoors.
Obstacle Course DIY Videos
If you’re looking for DIY indoor obstacle course inspiration, the internet is full of great ideas. Many videos offer creative tips for setting up an exciting course at home.
These videos provide plenty of inspiration to get you started, from simple setups with cushions and chairs to elaborate courses with tunnels and balance beams.
FAQs
What are some good indoor games for kids that don’t cost much?
Fun games for kids that don’t cost much include hide-and-seek, Hula Hoop, and Ring Toss. You can also use household items for Indoor Bowling or Indoor Golf.
We love indoor group games like Play Pretend, Musical Chairs, and Dance Freeze. These games are free to play.
Sometimes, we spice it up with indoor party games! A few treats from the pantry and some Twister or Guess Who games can make any day special.
What are some non-competitive games for kids?
Non-competitive games for kids emphasize fun, creativity, and collaboration over competition.
Great options include collaborative storytelling, LEGOs, or playing board games like Guess Who and Pictionary.
Activities like scavenger hunts, group art projects, and crafting with play dough encourage teamwork and creativity without competitive pressure.
What are some non-physical indoor activities for kids?
Non-physical indoor activities can be fun and educational, keeping kids engaged. Reading and storytelling spark imagination and foster a love for literature.
Puzzles like crosswords, Sudoku, and jigsaws sharpen cognitive skills. Craft projects, like painting or making bracelets, let children express creativity and develop fine motor skills.
Educational apps and online platforms offer interactive experiences in various subjects, ensuring learning remains fun and dynamic.
My Thoughts
Fun indoor games for kids are more than just a pastime; they are invaluable for developing and fostering strong family bonds.
Whether it’s the strategy in Jenga, creativity with homemade cards, or the excitement of Prodigy Math Games, each activity offers unique benefits.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s comforting to know we can create enriching, educational, and fun experiences at home.
Indoor games provide bonding, learning, and laughter, reminding us that joy can be found in everyday moments. So use my list of our favorite family games and get to having fun!
