Kids have a lot of energy. The best way for them to expend it is to go outside and play. Families who walk together, play a game of catch or plant some seeds in the garden experience the health benefits of outdoor exercise while enjoying quality time that solidifies strong family bonds.
When the weather isn’t conducive for outdoor play, though, things can get difficult in a hurry. There’s nowhere for all that kid energy to go, and no parent wants loud, rowdy kids jumping around the living room!
To help you prepare for that next rainy, cold day, we’ve got some fun indoor activities you can plan for the family. These will keep everyone busy and focused so that when nap time comes around, everyone is ready to relax for a while!
1. Have a Dance Party
If the kids can’t get outside to run around, dancing is a great alternative. Put on some happy, fun tunes and let the kids move their bodies. It’s great exercise and boosts feel-good endorphins in the brain, making everyone happier.
You can make it even more fun by decorating beforehand and letting everyone dress up. Choose a theme if you like—rock, disco, rap, or go with a song theme like “Songs About Animals” or “Songs About Cars.”
If your kids have a few friends over, hold a dance contest. Judges can choose the most inventive costume, the most impressive mood, or even the longest-lasting dancer. Hand out homemade prizes and be ready for the kids to flop down exhausted when you’re done!
2. Create an Indoor Obstacle Course
With a little effort, you can turn your living room, dining room, kitchen, or basement into an obstacle course sure to wear everyone out on a rainy day. Make construction part of the fun and ask your kids for ideas. Here are some to get you started.
- Put a series of chairs together and have everyone crawl over or under them.
- Put a hula hoop or other circular object on the floor and require all to jump in and out of it 5-10 times.
- Go back and forth between the couch and the kitchen counter five times with a bean bag on your head. If you drop it, you have to start over!
- Do ten jumping jacks.
- Line up laundry baskets and give a point system for balls that make it into the pit in under 30 seconds.
- Line up towels and have everyone hop from one to the next, avoiding the hot “lava” which is the carpet!
- Tape strips of streamers in certain areas and have competitors crawl through.
- Use masking tape to make paths, dotted lines, and arrows to guide everyone through the course.
- Use books to create the “walls” of a maze. Have competitors run through the mazes holding balls between their knees, or they can push toy cars or trucks through them.
3. Go On a Hunt
It’s easy and fun to rig up an indoor treasure hunt. Create a list of items that players have to find around the house. You can keep it general to avoid having to hide things (something red, something with wheels, etc.) or get more specific by hiding various things beforehand (a spoon under the couch, a boy in a kitchen cupboard).
Use written clues for older kids or pictures for younger ones. To make it more fun and competitive, set a timer and see who can gather the items the fastest!
As a variation, put everyone to work finding treasure. If you have someone artsy in the house, create a treasure map they can follow to find a big item at the end. To make the activity last longer, make each stop on the map a small activity like exercises, a quick game to play or puzzle to solve, or even a chore to do (take out the trash here!).
4. Create Your Own Cardboard World
With all the delivery services we’re using these days, most of us have some extra cardboard boxes lying around. Gather these together along with some crayons or markers, construction paper, tape, glue, and other decorative items. Then allow the family to put together something creative—anything they like.
It could be a castle, rocket ship, ice cream shop, or tractor. With enough boxes, you could even make a fort that everyone can crawl into.
5. Set a Fancy Table
Most kids love baking or otherwise helping out in the kitchen. You can bake cookies, a pizza, or set up a create-your-own dessert bar with toppings (frosting, sprinkles, M&M’s, etc.) everyone can add to cupcakes, cookies, or ice cream.Make it extra fancy by setting a pretty table. Allow kids to make their own placemats, create fake flowers for vases, or decorate fancy napkins. Add a pretty centerpiece with a fresh-fruit bouquet. You can get free delivery with Edible Arrangements and choose a Bundle of Cheer fruit bouquet and balloon set or Birthday Wish-tini with Confetti Berries. Kids will love the fact that these are pretty decorations they can eat!
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