Looking for engaging indoor activities to keep your kids entertained and active? Check out these 30 fun indoor games that are perfect for kids!
In today’s tech-savvy world, many kids prefer online video games over physical play, especially with the pandemic keeping them indoors. If you’re concerned about excessive screen time, these indoor games offer a great alternative. They’re not just about sitting around; they’re interactive activities that promote learning and development.
What Exactly are Indoor Games?
They’re enjoyable pastimes that kids can enjoy at home with family members. From classic board games to physical challenges, there’s a wide variety to choose from. Let’s explore some exciting options.
Best indoor Games for Kids
Here are some indoor games that not only get kids moving but also stimulate their minds:
1. Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a classic game that kids love. They create a grid on the floor, marking numbers from 1 to 8 in squares.
Each player takes turns tossing a small object into the squares and hopping through them. While typically an outdoor game, you can easily adapt it for indoor play.
Use colored tape on the floor or cut out squares from cardboard, numbering them accordingly. Then, let the fun begin as kids toss a sock or another small item onto the squares and hop away.
2. Boomerangs
Boomerangs are a blast for indoor play and can keep kids entertained for hours. You can either purchase a boomerang or make one at home using simple materials:
- – Heavy cardstock or cardboard
- – Scissors
- – Glue
- – A 360-degree protractor
Here’s how to make one:
- – Trace and cut out one arm of the boomerang from the cardstock.
- – Use this arm as a template to cut out two more identical arms.
- – Arrange the arms in a 120-degree angle using the protractor and glue them together.
- – Now, your homemade boomerang is ready to be thrown and enjoyed.
3. Scrabble
Scrabble is a fantastic choice if you want a game that’s both entertaining and educational for your child. It’s all about creating words using different letters, making it a great way to expand vocabulary and learn new words.
Plus, it’s excellent for boosting cognitive skills as kids strategize and plan their moves. Scrabble also helps improve concentration. You can find Scrabble board games at toy stores or online.
4. Balloon Volleyball
Balloon volleyball is perfect for kids who enjoy playing with balloons. All you need is a balloon to keep in the air as long as possible by gently hitting it back and forth.
Players take turns hitting the balloon, and if it touches the ground, that player is out. Blowing up the balloon can be part of the fun. Research shows that playing with balloons supports child development by enhancing motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It’s a great way to get kids moving indoors, whether in the backyard or living room.
5. Dumb Charades
Dumb Charades is a fun game where one person acts out a movie, word, or object without speaking, and the others have to guess what it is.
When playing with kids, you can ask them to guess book titles or act out simple actions like singing or eating. You can set a timer to keep things exciting and split into teams to encourage teamwork.
6. Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs is a classic game that gets kids moving. You set up chairs in a circle or line, play music, and when it stops, everyone rushes to sit down. Whoever doesn’t find a chair is out. It’s best played in a backyard or open space to avoid accidents.
7. Scavenger Hunt
A Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to keep kids entertained indoors. They search for items around the house based on a list you’ve made. It’s not only entertaining but also educational, helping kids learn about objects, shapes, and colors.
8. Indoor Bowling
Instead of board games, try indoor bowling to keep your kids entertained. You can buy a bowling set or make your own using plastic bottles filled with clothes. Arrange them like bowling pins and have your child roll a ball to knock them down. It’s a fun activity for kids and parents alike.
9. Dominoes
For a quiet indoor game, try dominoes. These are rectangular tiles with dots representing numbers. Shuffle them face down and take turns flipping them over to score points. It’s a simple yet enjoyable game for kids, and you can easily find sets to buy.
10. Ludo and Other Dice Games
Spend quality time with your kids playing dice games like Ludo. Each player has four pieces to move around the board, aiming to reach the center first.
It’s a great way for kids to learn numbers and strategic thinking. You can find Ludo boards online or try other dice games for kids available in stores.
11. Block Building
Give your child building blocks—it’s a must! Research shows that playing with blocks helps kids grow emotionally and socially. It also boosts practical skills like problem-solving and creativity.
Building with blocks improves motor skills and hand-eye coordination too. Together, you can build all sorts of things like cars, robots, or houses, which is great for bonding.
12. Pictionary
Pictionary is a fantastic indoor game for the whole family. All you need is paper and pens. Divide into teams, then write down objects or animals on small papers and fold them.
One player from each team draws a word while others guess. It’s fun and helps kids remember names of things and teaches teamwork.
13. Marbles
Marbles is a game where kids shoot marbles into a circle. It’s a game of focus and geometry as they aim to knock marbles out of the circle.
14. Jenga
Jenga is perfect for keeping kids busy and improving focus. It’s all about skill and strategy—players carefully remove blocks from a tower without making it fall. You can easily find Jenga online for your kids to enjoy.
15. Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-Tac-Toe is a classic game for two players that gets kids thinking. They draw a grid with nine boxes on paper. One player picks ‘X,’ the other ‘O,’ and they take turns marking the grid. The goal is to stop the other player from getting three Xs or Os in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
16. Monopoly
Monopoly is a fun game that teaches kids about money and strategy. They learn about finances and property investment while having a good time. It’s also a great way to bond with your children.
17. Hammer Ball
Hammer Ball is a fun game for toddlers that helps improve their hand-eye coordination. You can find sets online or at toy stores easily.
18. Clay
Playing with clay is not just fun but also beneficial for kids. It boosts creativity and imagination as they create different figures. It also helps with sensory development and can be calming for children.
19. Hide and Seek
Kids love Hide and Seek game. You can play it indoors or outdoors. One person counts while the others hide. Then, the person who counted seeks out the hidden players.
Whoever is found first becomes the next seeker. Make sure to lock away any places that could be dangerous to hide in.
20. Card Matching Game
This game is great for learning. You lay out cards with pictures on them face down. Kids take turns flipping them over, trying to find matching pairs. It’s a fun way to boost memory skills because they have to remember where the matching cards are.
21. Juggling
Juggling is a fun indoor activity that improves coordination and focus. Kids can start with easy-to-hold objects like fruit or balls and learn by watching tutorials online.
22. Indoor Obstacle Course
Set up a fun obstacle course inside your home to get your kids moving. They’ll have to navigate through challenges like crawling under tables, jumping over balls, and weaving through tape mazes.
23. Sack Race
Take the classic sack race indoors or outdoors. Mark a start and finish line, then have kids hop in sacks to race each other. The first one to hop to the finish line wins!
24. Hula Hooping
Encourage your kids to try hula hooping for a fun way to stay active. It helps with focus and flexibility while strengthening muscles. You can buy a hula hoop online and have them give it a go at their own pace.
25. Passing the Parcel
Gather 4-5 players in a circle and play some music. Pass a cushion or soft toy around the circle. When the music stops, whoever is holding the item has to do a fun activity like dancing or singing. It’s a sociable game that kids enjoy.
26. Name, Place, Animal, Thing
This game helps kids learn and improve their vocabulary. Each player picks a letter, and everyone writes down a name, place, animal, and thing that start with that letter. The player with the most words wins!
27. Indoor Basketball
Set up an indoor basketball hoop in your backyard or living room for some active fun. It’s a great way to promote physical development in kids, and you can easily find indoor basketball sets for kids in stores.
