We all know how much kids love being outside. When playing in the garden or heading to the park is not an option, some kids tend to get a little bit grumpy, feeling like they have just lost an entire day’s worth of fun and games. But luckily, a rainy day spent indoors doesn’t have to mean putting the fun on hold. If you need ideas on keeping your kids entertained without leaving the house, check out these five indoor activities you can do with your kids, including an art project and how to play marbles.
1 – It’s story time
Do you remember listening to your parents and grandparents telling you stories before bed? For many, these stories were real childhood highlights, and your kids will probably feel the same. Storytime doesn’t have to be reserved strictly for bedtime. Have fun on a rainy day! Build a cozy fort with some pillows and a blanket and tell each other stories.
2 – How to play marbles
Marbles’ games are greatly underestimated. They are fun, easy (once your kid gets the hang of them), and will keep the young ones entertained for hours. If you’re new to marbles, have a look at this guide explaining how to play marbles. Here are some of the basics: marbles games are all about knocking the other’s marbles out of the ring with your designated shooter marble. This could be an activity for an afternoon, but some kids like to drag these “marble wars” on for weeks, fighting for every single marble. If Marbles are not your thing, check out some of the latest board games.
3 – Express yourself
Whether your kids are budding artists or not, there aren’t many children who don’t enjoy an arts and crafts opportunity. The more material you’ve got, the longer the fun will last – you can prepare old paper, watercolors, pens, glue, glitter, scissors (childproof ones, of course), and some arts and crafts instructions if you’d prefer to approach the whole thing in a slightly more organized way. If not, it’s all about the freestyle – this might get messy, but your kids will have an awesome time.
4 – Can you feel the magic?
Kids love magic tricks – and can you blame them? Magic tricks aren’t just fun to watch; they can keep you guessing for hours if well executed. If you’re not a part-time magician yet (and who is?), take a look at some simple instructions online. You don’t have to master a lot of tricks – one or two will do the job just fine. Challenge your children to figure out how you do it, and then teach them how to get it right too. They will love to impress their friends with their new skills.
5 – Hide and seek (in the cupboard)
Of course, staying indoors means there won’t be much running around or exploring – unless you live in a castle, of course. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have an adventure inside! Hide-and-seek will never lose its excitement, whether you’re playing in your house or outside, and your kids will love it. Make sure to agree on a time after which they are allowed to emerge victorious from their hiding spot though – beware, some kids take this game very seriously!
Here are some more springtime games your kids are sure to love!
6 – Bake Some Fun Snacks
Baking is a great way to learn about science and math while having fun in the kitchen. Kids will love measuring out ingredients and mixing them together to make delicious treats like cookies and brownies. Plus, they’ll get to practice their fine motor skills as they scoop and pour ingredients into the bowl. It’s also a great opportunity to teach kids about safety in the kitchen, such as making sure that oven mitts are worn when handling hot dishes!
7 – Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are an excellent way for kids to express their creativity while learning how to follow directions. There are tons of simple craft ideas available online that require minimal supplies—all you need is paper, scissors, glue, marker pens, or other materials from around your house! Try making paper airplanes or paper chains with colorful construction paper or create homemade greeting cards for friends and family members.
8 – Board Games
Who says classic board games have to be boring? Board games are fun and educational for all ages. Games such as Scrabble, Monopoly, and Clue help develop problem-solving skills while introducing kids to the world of strategy. Other classic board games like Trouble and Uno can be great for younger children who want to learn how to take turns and share with others. Plus, these activities are a great way to spend time together as a family. So gather around the table and have some board game fun!
| Rank | Game Name | Year of Release | Purchase Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monopoly | 1935 | Buy Now |
| 2 | The Game of Life | 1860 | Buy Now |
| 3 | Scrabble | 1931 | Buy Now |
| 4 | Clue | 1949 | Buy Now |
| 5 | Connect Four | 1974 | Buy Now |
| 6 | Operation | 1965 | Buy Now |
| 7 | Candy Land | 1949 | Buy Now |
| 8 | Jenga | 1983 | Buy Now |
| 9 | Mousetrap | 1963 | Buy Now |
| 10 | Trouble | 1965 | Buy Now |
Haven’t found anything that fits your family’s fancy yet? Don’t despair. There are an abundance of online resources available for parents and many of them cover activities you can do with your kids without having to leave the house. Also, you shouldn’t necessarily limit yourself to staying indoors fully! Take advantage of the rain with these bonus tips below:
How to Make Rain Fun for Kids
Get Creative with Science Projects
Rainy days are the perfect opportunity to get creative with science projects. There are plenty of fun experiments that involve water or rain, like making homemade rainbows or building a rain gauge. Or, you can get your little ones to learn about how plants absorb water by doing an experiment on leaving a flower in water and observing how it grows over time.
Go Outdoors With Rain Gear On
Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean outdoor activities need to be off-limits! Put on some rain boots and go out into the yard for some mud play – let your kids get their hands dirty while they explore their environment and observe nature around them. You could also set up an outdoor scavenger hunt in which they have to find items in nature that fit certain criteria (such as finding leaves of different colors).
Rainy days don’t have to be boring or unproductive – with a little bit of creativity and preparation, they can be full of fun activities that both parents and children can enjoy together. From science projects to games indoors and outdoors, there are plenty of ways to make these dreary days enjoyable for everyone involved! So next time it rains, embrace the opportunity for bonding with your family through creative activities that bring out everyone’s inner child.
