11 Indoor Activities for Toddlers and Children
Right now the world is facing a pandemic that is forcing us to stay at home. And while we all love spending the extra time with our children, there’s no denying that being stuck at home can be trying for parents of toddlers and young children. That’s why we have put together a list of 11 indoor activities for toddlers and children that can help to keep you busy, prevent boredom, and maintain mom and dad’s sanity!
So without further ado, here are 11 indoor activities for toddlers that you can do during this time of quarantine and social distancing:
Fun Games to Play with Kids
1. Balloon Tennis
Just because you’re stuck indoors doesn’t mean that your children can’t work on their motor skills! So why not bring some of your favorite sports indoors? No, we’re not suggesting you use real sporting equipment like baseballs and tennis balls (we don’t want to break anything in your home), but using a balloon in replacement of a ball can provide your child with all the benefits of tennis – without any damage to your home. Tires of balloon tennis? Try a game of sock basketball or hockey!
2. Hide and Seek in the Dark
Love a good game of hide and seek? It is a perfect indoor activity for toddlers to have fun! Why not add a little twist! If your child is old enough to maneuver themselves in the dark without injury, try playing a game of hide and seek before bed. If your child doesn’t like the dark, you can have someone accompany them while they search for you.
And if you’re looking for a hide and seek twist for a rainy day, here’s another – instead of hiding yourself, hide an object! If your child is old enough, they can also hide written hints around the house as to where the object is hidden.
3. The Classic Game of the Floor is Lava
Among all indoor rainy day activities for toddlers, this is one that kids loved most. And the best part? It’s super simple to learn. Here’s the rules – anytime someone yells “the floor is lava”, you cannot touch the floor. Of course, this means that you’ll have to be okay with your children standing on furniture or sitting on countertops, but as long as you aren’t bothered, your child will have a great time playing this game. If you’re up for it you can play The Floor is Lava all day long!
4. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
This is a fun activity that can help your child learn without them even realize they are learning. With this indoor scavenger hunt, your child must find something in the house starting with each letter of the alphabet. Once they have found objects starting with all 26 letters they win a prize. Some letters can be tricky, so this is a great way to keep your toddler or child busy for hours.
Fun Crafts for Kids
1. Arts and Crafts Paint party
Paint doesn’t have to stay on a paintbrush! And when you’re looking for indoor activities for toddlers that will keep them busy and entertained throughout quarantine, you might need to start thinking outside of the box. So instead of painting pictures with a brush, why not have a full body paint party? Find a spot in the house that’s okay to get a little messy (preferably not a carpet), grab some paint and a large canvas, throw on some old clothes, and use your full body to paint! Yes, you will get dirty, but your kids will love it – and paint can be washed off! Just keep some paper towels nearby to clean up any floor messes.
Other things you can use to paint?
- Pom Poms
- Forks, potato masher, and other utensils
- Straws
- Q-tips
- Pipe Cleaners
- Sponges
- Bubble wrap
- Popsicle stick
- Cotton balls
- The list goes on and on!
2. Easy Crafts with Playdough
If you’re looking for activities for toddlers that will keep them busy for hours, there are few things in this world better than playdough. But instead of just going out and buying playdough, why not make a date out of it and create your own? Here’s a simple playdough recipe for you to try:
You will need:
- Flour (2 cups)
- Salt (¾ cup)
- Cream of tartar (4 tsp)
- Warm water (2 cups)
- Coconut oil or vegetable oil (2 tbsp)
- Food coloring of choice
In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and cream of tartar. Then, add in your water, oil, and food coloring. Cook over medium heat until dough turns into a ball and play! It’s that simple! And it’s edible, so you don’t have to worry if it ends up in your toddlers mouth!
3. Puffy Paint
Since we’re just off the topic of paint – let’s talk about it again. This time we’re talking puffy paint. This is a great idea for kids to work on creativity and just having fun. Here’s how to make it:
What you will need:
- Flour (1 cup)
- Baking powder (3 tsp)
- Salt (1 tsp)
- Water
- Food Coloring
- Ziplock bags
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a ziplock bag. Add enough water to turn the mix into a consistency similar to pancake mix. Add your food coloring and mix. Cut a small hole in the end of the bag to allow it flow out and paint! Once finished, pop your painting in the microwave for 30-40 seconds to watch it puff up. Set aside and let dry.
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4. Pasta Necklaces
If you’re looking for indoor activities for toddlers that can help with fine motor skills, pasta necklaces are a great option. All you need is some penne pasta, string, and decorations (markers, paints, glitter, etc). Let your child decorate their pasta as they like and then string it onto the string to create a necklace! For some special bonding time you can make necklaces for one another to wear.
Other Fun Ideas for Indoor Activities
1. Dance Party
Looking for a way that your child can let off some energy indoors? What better way to release some pent up energy and have some fun than an indoor dance party? All you need is music and some dancing feet, but if you want to make a date out of it you can get creative too. It is a perfect family game that everyone will enjoy! Set the mood by creating dance posters, dimming the lights, or even using flashing lights to create a “nightclub” setting. You can also get creative and have a themed dance party – dress up as your favorite Ninja turtles, dress up for “prom”, or have a pajama party – let your child choose the theme!
2. Indoor Laser Maze
Think you have what it takes to avoid all of the laser beams? Of all our fun ideas, this is one that children love most and it’s easy to set up. And while they are having fun? They also get to work on their physical coordination skills. All you need for this indoor activity is some tape and toilet paper. To play, string multiple pieces of toilet paper in a zigzag pattern from one wall to another (preferably down a hallway). Then, see if your kids can crawl through the maze without knocking down the toilet paper. Up for a challenge? You can try too!
3. Speech Blubs
If you’re looking for something a little more educational for your toddler or child, you can spend some time using the Speech Blubs app. Speech Blubs is a speech learning app for toddlers and young children that can help them to learn new sounds and words. Have fun learning about animals, outdoor wonders, numbers, dinosaurs, space and many more! With Speech Blubs your child can use technology to practice speaking with games and activities that are engaging and stimulating – they won’t even realize they are learning!
Don’t fret about being stuck inside. Try some of these rainy day activities, bring out some board games and enjoy the extra time you can spend with your children this year.
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