Indoor Activities For Kids: Year-Round Fun and Creative Play Ideas

Discover a world of fun indoor activities for kids, perfect for keeping them engaged throughout the year. Whether it’s a sweltering summer day or a chilly winter evening, our list of best inside activities ensures there’s always something exciting to do indoors. From simple crafts to educational projects, find the perfect activity to match your child’s interests and the season.

Summer Activities for Kids

Fairy Houses

The best indoor activities for kids during the summer are the ones that encourage them to use their imagination.  A great way to do this is to create fairy houses from found objects. Start by giving each child their own bag and then instructing them to pick up materials in the yard, such as rocks, sticks, bark, and other natural items to put in the bag. After they’ve collected a bag full of items, head somewhere cooler and direct the kids to begin building their fairy house. It can be a traditional A-frame shape or they can be creative and build a completely different style of structure- whatever they wish!

Encourage kids to use their imaginations by creating fairy houses from found objects. Start by giving each child their own bag and then instructing them to pick up materials in the yard, such as rocks, sticks, bark and other natural items to put in the bag. After they’ve collected a bag full of items, head somewhere cooler and direct the kids to begin building their fairy house. It can be a traditional A-frame shape or they can be creative and build a completely different style of structure- whatever they wish!

Prompt conversation among the kids by asking why they chose the items they selected and the style of building they constructed. Why did you use twigs for yours? What made you build multiple rooms? Ask the kids who they imagine living in the dwelling. Will a magical creature like a fairy live here? Will an animal, such as a squirrel or mouse, call this home? What makes you think that?

DIY Bird Feeder

Kids can make bird feeders to attract interesting wildlife using basic materials. This craft from MessyLittleMonster.com is fun and easy.

What you will need:

• cardboard tube (like a clean toilet roll)
• peanut butter
• birdseed
• string,
• scissors (for adult use only)
• bamboo skewers
• popsicle sticks

 

Now to get started:

1. Using the scissors, the adults should create a small set of holes at the top of each toilet roll tube
2. Instruct the kids to take the string and thread it through the two holes and tie it in place. The string will be for hanging the bird feeder
3. Assist the kids in creating a small set of holes towards the bottom of the toilet roll tube. Push the bamboo skewer through to make a resting perch. Here’s where the birds will stand
4. Direct the children to use the popsicle stick to spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the paper tube. Immediately after applying the peanut butter, the kids should roll the tube in the bird seeds and make sure to press more bird seeds if they miss any spotsYou can now hang up the bird feeders outside in an area where birds usually gather. Next, wait for the birds to visit.

DIY Indoor Treasure Hunt

Create a treasure hunt inside your home. Hide small items or treats in various places and write clues leading to each. Each clue should be a fun riddle or puzzle that leads to the next location. This game encourages problem-solving and exploration.

Indoor Mini Golf

Set up a mini-golf course using household items. Use books to create paths, cups as holes, and a small ball with a homemade club (a stick or a toy). Design each ‘hole’ with different challenges. This activity is great for motor skills and creativity.

Click here for more great summer activities to explore with your children.

Autumn Indoor Activities For Kids 

Fall Leaf Painting

Collect fallen leaves and use them for painting. Dip the leaves in different colors and press them onto paper to create unique prints. This activity is great for exploring colors and patterns. 

DIY Costume Workshop

With Halloween around the corner, set up a costume-making workshop. Provide materials like old clothes, fabric scraps, and accessories for kids to create their own costumes. This activity boosts creativity and planning skills.

Homemade Playdough

Make playdough at home using flour, salt, water, cream of tartar, and food coloring. Once it’s ready, encourage kids to model it into autumn-themed shapes like leaves, pumpkins, or animals.

Storytelling Evening

Choose a theme related to autumn, such as harvest, and have a storytelling session. Encourage kids to come up with their own stories or read from a book. This can be paired with drawing or acting out scenes.

Winter Indoor Activities For Kids

Build a Blanket Fort

Building a cozy fort using blankets, pillows, and furniture is one of the fun things to do indoors with kids during the winter. Inside their imaginative play space, they can enjoy activities like reading books, playing games or having a mini movie marathon. This activity not only provides a fun retreat but also sparks creative storytelling and play among children.

Homemade Snowflakes

Cut out snowflakes from paper. Show kids how to fold the paper and make cuts to create unique snowflake designs. Hang these snowflakes around the house for winter decorations.

Indoor Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt with items related to winter, like a scarf, a holiday ornament, or a white piece of paper. Write clues and hide the items around the house. This game encourages critical thinking and observation skills.

Baking Cookies

Bake cookies together, choosing festive shapes like stars or snowmen. Kids can help with mixing, rolling, and decorating. This is a fun way to teach basic cooking skills and enjoy delicious treats.

Spring Indoor Activities For Kids

Indoor Flower Garden

Create a flower garden using paper. Kids can cut out flower shapes and paint them. Attach these to sticks or straws to ‘plant’ them in pots filled with soil or playdough.

Puppet Show

Make puppets using socks, paper bags, or cut-outs. Create a simple puppet theater using a cardboard box. Kids can put on a show, either improvising stories or retelling their favorite tales.

Rainy Day Art

Use rainy days for creative art projects. Set up a painting or crafting station. You can also do ‘rain painting’ by placing a few drops of food coloring or washable paint on paper and watching the rain create patterns.

Grow a Bean Plant

Plant beans in a clear jar using cotton balls or paper towels instead of soil. Kids can watch the roots and stem grow, providing a great lesson in plant biology and responsibility in caring for a living thing.

The play created by these fun and educational indoor activities boosts early learning and childhood wellness. For other enriching activities and events that support early learning, be sure to check out our events calendar. Quality Start San Bernardino County is dedicated to supporting the highest quality early learning experiences. For additional resources and insights into our commitment to quality early education, explore our resources.