With the recent outbreak and lots of uncertainty and worry I have put together a list of fun things to do indoors with your children. I have had the pleasure of speaking to many of you all over the world who are feeling isolated and afraid right now. With many in isolation it can be very difficult to keep the children busy and happy, spending so many more hours indoors that they would usually. I know not all countries are on complete lock down but a few are. I can't even begin to imagine how that must feel right now.
I have made a list of 140 activities that are simple and fun for you to enjoy together.
Children have wonderful imaginations and are naturally creative. During this time remember to let them also create their own fun. Independent play is important too. It isn't possible to keep them entertained with 100% attention from you all day every day and that is ok.
Your children may wish to do something different to what you have planned and again that is ok. Usually children will come up with ideas that are much better than what we planned or ideas that extend the activity.
Where you can link to their interests, it will hold their attention for longer. Adapt where necessary and only do activities that are suitable for the children in your care.
We are hosting a HUGE ONLINE PLAY DATE over in our Learning and Exploring Through Play Group and I shall continue to share inspiration over on my Instagram too.
Remember we are all in this together. Huge virtual hugs to you all at this very, very strange time indeed. Take care, stay safe.
- DRAW A CHARACTER FROM YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK
- We did this activity recently. It's another lovely way to foster a love of learning in children. No matter what their age they can look at the pictures in the book and using a pen/crayon to sketch and draw their favourite character.
- MAKE A BIRD FEEDER
- We have made a few of these using recycled materials over the last few years here are a couple of ideas for inspiration:
- CAR DRAWING ON A LARGE SCALE
- Pop down a big sheet of paper (turn over wrapping paper to use the blank side, parcel paper, wall paper off cut rolls all work well). Attach a pen to the back of a toy car using tape and as you push the car along the pen will leave a colour trail. Take care on the pens you use and which surface you do this on. You may wish to sellotape your paper down to secure it in place. Messy Little Monster did a great activity showcasing this in action.
- BUILD A DEN USING BLANKETS
- Something so simple but it creates so much fun! I used to play for hours in dens as a child and my own children love them too! I love this den made using sofa cushions by Family Days Tried and Tested. They have done so many epic dens you can see them all here - Family Days Den Building Ideas.
- MAKE ICE PAINTS
- Squirt water based paint into containers. I use the small yoghurt containers that I've washed out as I can throw them away afterwards. You can pop a popsicle stick inside if you wish too. This is great for the children who don'y enjoy getting their hands dirty as they have the option of holding the stick rather than touching the ice blocks directly. You can also make the paint blocks by using food colouring, just add a drop to the water and mix. Pop them in the freezer for a few hours and then they will be good to go.
- HAVE AN INDOOR PICNIC
- Lay out a blanket and enjoy eating your lunch together as you would outdoors on a day out but indoors instead!
- PLAY WITH BUBBLES AND WARM WATER IN THE SINK
- Warm water and bubbles, can't go wrong here! If you have some plastic plates/cutlery you could look at doing a fun washing up activity too. You could also look at using an under the bed storage container to do this activity at a table/on the floor. I love the washing up station that Beckys Treasure Baskets made.
- FOLLOW A SIMPLE DRAWING CHALLENGE ONLINE
- Pop a search into google of something you would like to draw. There are lots of fabulous online tutorials that will give you guidance on how to draw pretty much anything!
- CREATE YOUR OWN BUBBLES/BUBBLE WANDS
- Our super simple recipe using items you will have at home will create some good bubbles if you are out of mixture at home. If you are feeling brave you could even look at making some super sized bubbles using a hoola hoop.
- HAVE A TEA PARTY
- Gather together for a chat and a warm drink of whatever you fancy (squash/water/milk too). The children will enjoy pouring out the drink and serving. If you are looking to do a themed tea party do head over to Family Days Tried and Tested as they are always doing fun themed tea parties, their latest ones being - The Tiger who came to Tea and Spiderman.
- PLAY HIDE AND SEEK
- LEARN HOW TO COUNT IN A NEW LANGUAGE
- GO ON A TREASURE HUNT
- USE PAPER CUPS TO CREATE DIFFERENT FORMATIONS
- USE CHALK OUTSIDE
- EXPLORE PAINTING TECHNIQUES BY FAMOUS ARTISTS
- MAKE AND PLAY WITH GLOOP
- WRITE A STORY
- VIDEO YOURSELF TELLING A STORY TO SHARE WITH A FRIEND
- CREATE A VILLAGE USING CONSTRUCTION TOYS
- BAKE SOME CAKES/BISCUITS
- EXPLORE SCIENCE WITH A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
- DESIGN AND MAKE YOUR OWN BOOKMARKS
- BUILD A BOAT THAT FLOATS
- CREATE POM POM SOUP
- PLAY CHARADES
- MAKE POTIONS
- MAKE NATURE PORTRAITS
- MAKE A FAMILY TIME CAPSULE
- WRITE A LETTER TO SOMEONE SPECIAL
- ENJOY A MOVIE
- JUNK MODELLING
- BUILD A TALL TOWER USING BLOCKS
- HOST YOUR OWN PUPPET SHOW
- WATCH SOME FUNNY VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE
- ROLL CARS THROUGH PAINT
- MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZA
- GO ON A NUMBER HUNT AROUND THE HOUSE
- CREATE AN OBSTACLE COURSE
- POTATO PRINTING
- MAKE A PAPER PLANE AND FLY IT
- MAKE COLLAGES USING MAGAZINES/CARDS/CRAFT MATERIALS
- LOOK AT FAMILY PHOTOS TOGETHER
- PLANT SOME SEEDS
- ICE AND DECORATE BISCUITS
- DESIGN A KITE
- BABY/TOY WASH STATION
- MAKE A FUNNY VIDEO - SEND TO FAMILY/FRIENDS TO MAKE THEM SMILE
- HAVE AN INDOOR DISCO
- ART ON A LARGE SCALE
- LEARN A MAGIC TRICK
- DO SOME ROCK PAINTING
- PAINT ON FOIL
- FREEZE TOYS IN ICE AND RESCUE THEM USING WARM WATER
- MAKE PRINTS WITH PAINT USING LEGO BLOCKS
- PAINT A PICTURE
- CREATE YOUR OWN DANCE ROUTINE
- PLAY SNAP USING A DECK OF CARDS
- MAKE YOUR OWN PLAYDOUGH
- PHOTO CHALLENGE - TAKE PHOTOS WITH A CAMERA OF ITEMS ON A LIST
- DRAW FLAGS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
- MAKE YOUR OWN SLIME
- RESEARCH A FAMOUS AUTHOR
- MAKE A MUSICAL TUNE
- DESIGN A FAIRY GARDEN
- MAKE A PICTURE USING STICKERS
- MAKE YOUR VERY OWN SHOP
- PLAN, PREPARE AND COOK A FAMILY MEAL TOGETHER
- DRAW YOUR OWN PORTRAIT
- MAKE A TOWER WITH SHAVING CREAM AND WOODEN BLOCKS
- MAKE A FRUIT KEBAB
- WRITE YOUR OWN QUIZ
- FACETIME A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND
- HIDE A SEEK WITH TOYS - WRITE CLUES TO HELP OTHERS FIND THEM
- MAKE PAPER CHAIN DECORATIONS
- DO A PUZZLE
- MAKE A WRITING TRAY TO DRAW PICTURES AND WRITE MESSAGES
- GO ON A SHAPE HUNT AROUND THE HOUSE
- KEEP A TALLY OF THE COLOURS OF CARS PASSING BY YOUR HOME
- HAVE AN INDOOR TEDDY BEARS PICNIC
- FIND OUT ABOUT FAMOUS LANDMARKS AROUND THE WORLD
- HAVE A BUBBLE BATH
- LEARN SOME NEW SONGS
- MAKE A PAPER PLATE CREATION
- MAKE A BUG HOTEL
- MAKE A CARDBOARD TUBE MARBLE/POM POM/CAR RUN
- MAKE A TOWN IN A CARDBOARD BOX
- HAVE A SORT OUT AND TIDY YOUR ROOM
- PLAY A BOARD GAME OR TWO
- MAKE SHADOWS/SHADOW PUPPETS
- CREATE A LIFE SIZED DRAWING OF YOURSELF. ASK SOMEONE TO DRAW AROUND YOU
- MAKE BUBBLE SNAKES
- GET OUT THE CRAFT STASH AND MAKE SOMETHING
- DRESS UP
- DO SOME GARDENING
- MAKE SOCK PUPPETS USING UNPAIRED SOCKS
- MAKE SOME MUD CAKES IN THE GARDEN
- DO SOME COLOURING
- FIND OUT ABOUT LOCAL WILDLIFE IN YOUR AREA
- MAKE A SCRAPBOOK
- READ TO A SIBLING
- PLAY SIMON SAYS
- DO A GARDEN BIRD WATCH AND KEEP NOTE OF THE BIRDS YOU SEE
- MAKE A MASK
- SEE WHAT PICTURES YOU CAN FIND IN CLOUDS
- DISCOVER SOME NEW JOKES
- DO SOME PAINTING WITH SHAVING CREAM
- MAKE SOME HOMEMADE WRAPPING PAPER
- THROW AN ITEM (BALL/BEAN BAG) AND TRY TO HIT A TARGET
- MAKE A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
- MAKE JELLY
- RE-GROW SOME VEGTABLE SCRAPS
- USE CARDBOARD ROLLS TO MAKE SHAPES TO PRINT IN PAINT
- PRACTISE USING SCISSORS
- MAKE A SENSORY SMALL WORLD AND BRING A TOPIC/FAVOURITE BOOK TO LIFE
- LEARN ABOUT THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD
- DO A FLOAT OR SINK SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
- DO THE HAND WASHING EXPERIMENT WITH HERBS, WATER - SOAP AND NO SOAP
- PLAY NAUGHTS AND CROSSES
- PLAY I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE
- PAINT A GLASS JAR
- CHOOSE AN AUTHOR AND RESERACH ALL THE TITLES THEY HAVE WROTE
- KEEP A PLAY DIARY OF WHAT YOU GET UP TO
- LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT ANIMAL HABITATS
- ACT OUT A STORY YOU LOVE
- PLAY DOMINOES
- DRAW A PORTRAIT OF YOURSELF
- MAKE A CROWN/HAT TO WEAR
- CHECK IN ON A RELATIVE OVER THE PHONE
- MAKE SOME SALT DOUGH AND CREATE A KEEPSAKE
- PAINT ON ICE
- EXPLORE COLOUR MIXING USING THE 3 PRIMARY COLOURS
- MAKE PLAY MUD
- CREATE AND IMAGINE USING A LARGE CARDBOARD BOX
- TRY SOME MESS FREE PAINTING IN A BAG
- PLAY HOT POTATO
- PLAY HANGMAN
- HAVE A PJ DAY
- INDOOR BOWLING
- DO SOME BUBBLE PAINTING
I shall continue to add to this over the coming days with lots more fun ideas to keep you busy.
PLAY POSTER HERE
I HAVE ALSO CREATED A POSTER USING A LARGER FONT ACROSS 2 PAGES.
DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY PLANNER WITH LARGER FONT HERE
I HAVE ALSO CREATED A POSTER USING A LARGER FONT ACROSS 2 PAGES.
DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY PLANNER WITH LARGER FONT HERE
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