Everybody knows that it's only a matter of time before kids inevitably start with I'm boooooored, especially when they're at home. However, now you don't have to worry about kids saying I'm bored on the weekend, school holidays or any other time you may find yourself at home for long periods of time, because I've put together this list of over 100 FREE Indoor and Outdoor Activities for kids to do at home.
Many parents find entertaining children at home 24/7 daunting, especially if you're sick, or don't want to go out which rules out lots of free activities like visiting the library, going to the park, a museum, or play dates. It's OK though, all the activities below can be done 100% from home, you don't even need to leave your own backyard.
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50+ FREE INDOOR KIDS ACTIVITIES TO DO AT HOME
If you're housebound try some of these free indoor activities you can do with the kids at home. I guarantee almost all of them will be using items you already have at home and many are family activities so they're also a great way to touch base and bond as a family unit.
A lot of these activities are also great for learning, but they're so fun the kids won't even realise they're learning!
Read a book
If your kids are old enough to read then get them to pick a book and have some quiet time in their rooms reading, either the whole book or just a few chapters. If your children can't read yet then snuggle up on the couch or bed together and read them a story.
Some of our favourite picture books are:
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| Photo by Picsea on Unsplash |
Watch a movie
Make some microwave popcorn and put on your favourite movie. You don't need to wait for night time either, just close all the blinds or curtains to create a cosy at home movie theatre vibe.
Build an indoor fort
Grab the chairs from the dining room, some spare sheets or blankets and some couch cushions and let the kids create a cosy fort. It might take up a bit of space for a few hours, but they'll have so much fun designing, building and playing in their own fort.
Have a pretend tea party
Grab the dolls, teddy bears, transformers, or toy cars and get them together to have a pretend tea party with some plastic cups and plates.
Have a dance party
Turn on the radio, or load up your favourite Spotify playlist and get the tunes pumping. Dancing is a great way for children to get the wiggles out and exercise in a fun way, plus it releases endorphins which means everyone will feel happier after.
Play some board games
We all have a stash of board games that spend most of their lives collecting dust in a cupboard somewhere, when the kids are bored it's a great time to grab them out and dust them off. Our kids favourite games they can play over and over are Pop the Pig, Candy Land, Shopping List, Sneaky Snacky Squirrel, Uno and Monopoly {this one lasts the longest, but it can end in tears}.
If for some reason you don't have any games, or the kids are bored of playing them, then you can create your own easy DIY board games with just some cardboard, markers, mini toys and a dice. Board games are not only fun, they also teach children important skills like counting and turn taking.
Draw a picture
Get some pencils, crayons or washable markers and paper and let the kids draw a picture of whatever they like. If they're having trouble coming up with ideas of what to draw you can try these free printable drawing prompt sheets to spark inspiration.
Have a lounge room sleep over
Grab the mattresses off the beds and put them all into the loungeroom. Getting the whole family together in the one room to have a sleepover is not only a fun activity to do one night, it'll create a magical childhood memory. You could combine this one with a movie night as well.
Make paper planes
It's almost a childhood right of passage to learn, make and fly a paper plane. If you don't remember how to make them, there's an easy paper plane tutorial here that shows you how to fold a simple paper plane or a more complex one. Once you've made them take them outside and see who can throw theirs the fastest.
Bake cookies
If your kids love helping out in the kitchen then whip up a fresh batch of cookies. You'd be surprised what you can make with pantry staples like flour, eggs and milk. I'm not the best baker, but even I can make these jam drops that the kids love.
Make homemade playdough
If cookies aren't your thing then it's just as easy to make up a batch of homemade playdough. I know some people will recoil in horror at that thought, but trust me it really is easy! The main ingredients you'll need are flour, salt and oil and then you can add colour or scents as desired.
Have a look at these homemade playdough recipes for inspiration, there's over 35 different types of playdough you can make at home. It also includes fancy ones like crayon playdough and kool-aid playdough if you're feeling extravagant.
Learn a new dance
Kids love to get up and move and dancing is a fun way to get the wiggles out and use up some energy. If you don't want to have a free style dance party, then try learning choreographed dance moves instead, by watching and following Just Dance videos on YouTube. The videos show the kids exactly what moves to make throughout the song.
Make a card for family or friends
Fold a piece of paper or cardstock in half and let the kids decorate the front to make a card for a family member or friend. If they're old enough they can write a message inside, or they can tell you what to write for them.
Younger kids will enjoy making a sticky card, or we have a free printable Mother's Day colouring card and free printable Super Dad and fishing Father's Day cards if you want easy cards for them to make.
Play with old toys
Have you ever tried to get the kids to pick old toys to donate? Suddenly everything they haven't played with in ages becomes their favourite toy again. Bring out some old toys they've forgotten about and watch them bring them back to life.
Paint a picture
My girls are always up for playing with paints! It doesn't have to be just a boring paint brush and paints either, check out these creative painting ideas for kids - there's 50 different painting techniques for kids to try.
You can use toy cars, animal figurines, fly swats, utensils and heaps of other items to paint. If you're scared of mess though, or want something super quick and easy, paint sticks and paper work perfectly well.
Make a sticky wall
Tape a piece of clear contact onto a wall to create a sticky wall and let the kids decorate it however they want. You can use pieces of yarn, paper, foam, lightweight loose parts and toys, nature items like leaves and flowers, or craft items like popsicle sticks, buttons, cupcake liners and pom poms.
The best part is all the items can be peeled off and reused as the sticky wall will remain sticky and the individual items won't be damaged. This is a great way for children to engage in vertical play and create transient art. It's also a fun way to work on fine motor skills as they push items on and peel them off.
Decorate a cardboard box
Before you break down and recycle any cardboard boxes, give the kids some pens, paint {maybe paint sticks}, or even stickers and let them go crazy decorating the box. There's nothing more fascinating for kids than an empty box and with a little bit of creativity they can turn it into anything they can imagine.
Have a colour bath
Choose a specific colour and then add a few drops of food colouring to bath water to create a fun colour bath. You can also add any plastic items or toys that are in that colour to the water and turn bath time into an exciting way to teach colours. You don't even need to wait until normal bath time, playing in water is fun at any time of the day.
Play Simon says
Even if you only have one child, you can still play Simon says. You will be Simon and you have to tell them an action to complete e.g. Simon says touch your nose and then they need to do it. However to trip them up every now and then give an instruction without saying Simon says at the start e.g. touch your knees, if they do this action they're out because you didn't say Simon says. You can switch roles once everyone is out or simply start a new game.
Simon says is a fun way to learn about body parts and get in some gross motor movement e.g. Simon says stand on one leg, Simon says hop on one leg, Simon says jump on the spot. Just remember to include some stationary actions like Simon says touch your shoulders {ears, eyes, toes etc} so the kids don't get too puffed.
Make some torn paper crafts
If you have some paper and glue you can easily make some torn paper crafts. Get the kids to tear up some coloured paper, or newspaper or old magazines and then glue the pieces onto paper in the shape of an object. They can choose to make anything they like, or you could do these torn paper crafts we've made before {that come with free printable templates}:
Have a pillow fight
If the kids are getting a bit antsy, or even arguing, then redirect their energy into a pillow fight. Use some soft couch cushions or the pillows from their bed so nobody can get hurt. Put some rules in place if you feel they need them e.g. no hitting heads.
Do some simple science experiments
There are so many easy science experiments that can be done at home with normal household items you already have in the kitchen. For example all you need is milk, food colouring, dish soap and q-tips to make magic milk. The experiment makes the colours dance through the milk like magic.
Science experiments are a fun way to introduce older children to scientific concepts that they might otherwise find boring if they were just reading about them from a book. They're also a great way to convince younger children that you can really do magic! Other fun science experiments to try at home are:
Do some salt painting
Write your own picture book or comic strip
Set up a small world for some imaginary play
Set up a small world for some imaginary play
Hallway laser maze
Make cardboard crafts using recyclables
Try these playdough invitations to play
Draw a self portrait
Make a sock puppet with old socks
Make cardboard crafts using recyclables
Try these playdough invitations to play
Draw a self portrait
Make a sock puppet with old socks
Play charades
Do some yoga {try Cosmic Kids Yoga for some easy kids yoga}
Set up a sensory tub
Try some of these colour sorting activities
Do a puzzle
Sing songs and put on your own home concert
Make bath paints using cornflour and food colouring
Set up a sensory tub
Try some of these colour sorting activities
Do a puzzle
Sing songs and put on your own home concert
Make bath paints using cornflour and food colouring
DIY tape maze
Make a collage using glue and scrap paper/craft items
Make a collage using glue and scrap paper/craft items
Make a DIY puzzle by cutting up old photos or magazine pictures
Play dress ups and put on a show
Play with loose parts
Play hide and seek
Make a DIY sensory bottle
Put on a puppet show
Blow up some balloons and have a balloon party
Make a ball run with cardboard tubes
Play dress ups and put on a show
Play with loose parts
Play hide and seek
Make a DIY sensory bottle
Put on a puppet show
Blow up some balloons and have a balloon party
Make a ball run with cardboard tubes
Make some crafts with toilet paper rolls
Make an indoor obstacle course with masking tape
Play musical chairs
Build a tower with blocks or magnetic tiles
Play bowling by knocking down paper cups with a ball
Play card games like snap or memory
Make an indoor obstacle course with masking tape
Play musical chairs
Build a tower with blocks or magnetic tiles
Play bowling by knocking down paper cups with a ball
Play card games like snap or memory
Freeze some small toys in ice cubes for water play
Thread pasta onto string to make necklaces or bracelets
Watch kids YouTube channels like Blippi, Sesame Street or Disney Junior
Watch kids YouTube channels like Blippi, Sesame Street or Disney Junior
Make a batch of rainbow rice
Dye some raw pasta with food colouring and vinegar for sensory play
Put on a shadow puppet show at night with a torch and hand shadows
Play the floor is lava
Play memory with toys {take one away and guess which one is missing}
Play keepy uppy with a balloon like Bluey {don't let it touch the ground}
Make some magic paintings
FREE OUTDOOR KIDS ACTIVITIES TO DO IN THE BACKYARD
If your kids are anything like mine, they quickly get cabin fever when they're stuck inside, so it's important to have some fun outdoor activities up your sleeve too. Sunshine, fresh air and vitamin D are all essential for our health and development so it's important to get outside and be active often.
Whether you're lucky enough to have a huge backyard or live with a tiny courtyard like us, the following free activities are all perfect for entertaining the kids outside. If you don't have the latest and greatest outdoor play equipment like a trampoline or a climbing frame don't worry, all 30+ of these free outdoor activities can be done with some basic items from around the house and access to mother nature.
1. Go on a nature scavenger hunt {collect items of certain colours or type}
2. Have a backyard picnic
3. Paint rocks and leaves
4. Go on a treasure hunt {hide items in the yard and make a treasure map}
5. Look at the shapes the clouds make
6. Draw shadow pictures {put toys in the sun and draw their shadow outline on paper}
7. Make a hopscotch grid with chalk
8. Play tag with siblings
9. Make potions with flowers and water
10. Ride a bike or scooter
11. Play i-spy
12. Blow bubbles {you can make your own bubble mixture with dish soap and water}
13. Catch bugs and study them
14. Set up an obstacle course
15. Paint the fence or driveway with water
16. Look at the stars at night
17. Go camping in the backyard
18. Play piggy in the middle
19. Try these animal movement exercises
20. Build a cubby house using outdoor furniture and sheets
21. Make chalk paint and paint the driveway or footpath
22. Play catch with a ball
23. Make a bird feeder from recyclables and do some bird watching
24. Make a DIY butterfly feeder
25. Make mud pies
26. Climb a tree
27. Paint with flowers
28. Play handball
29. Water play in a tub
30. Make leaf rubbings with crayons
31. Start a rock collection
32. Plant some seeds in an egg carton to start a veggie garden {use dried seeds from fruit and veggies you use for dinner}
33. Have a water balloon fight {if you don't have water balloons, half fill normal balloons with water}
34. Build balancing towers with rocks, bark or sticks
36. Draw an obstacle course with chalk to jump, walk, run and hop over
37. Count the number of birds that fly over your yard
38. Use a magnifying glass to hunt for ants and other bugs
39. Draw a family portrait with chalk
40. Play What's the time Mr Wolf
41. Do some ball painting
42. Take photos of sunrise or sunset
43. Make oobleck and play with it in a tub outside
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