Activities to Do Indoors With Kids

By now we have all heard about the Coronavirus and the effect it is having worldwide. My heart goes out to those who have caught the virus, or who have a loved one who is trying to overcome it.

Many countries have now closed their borders. Many cities are in lockdown. Australia isn’t quite there yet, but I do wonder how long it will be until we follow suit. It’s amazing how something like this can impact so many areas of life. Many businesses will struggle through this period as people are advised to stay indoors and against gathering with others.

While some things are out of our control, we can still find light in the situation as best as we can. Since many are spending a great deal of time in homes, with little ones, I thought I’d write a post to lighten the mood and give a few suggestions for activities to do indoors with kids.

Cook together

Many meals will be eaten at home during this time. So why not take the opportunity to teach children a thing or two about cooking. Bake a cake, let them help prepare lunch or dinner and make dinner a little special by having a candle flickering on the table.

Make a batch of playdough

Playdough is easy enough to buy, but it’s fun to make together from scratch - and more natural. Let the kids decide the colours and have them help make it. Put it on a table with a few cutting bits and pieces - cookie cutters, a rolling pin, butter knives and a few small birthday candles (unlit of course).

Build a fort

Kids love building forts or pretend boats. Pull out a pile of blankets, pillows and a thin spare mattress (if you have one) and see what they can create. An old paper towel or toilet roll makes a great telescope. Or we simply use our TV remote and hold it up to our eye.

Bring out the Duplo/Lego

Most of us have a big basket of Duplo or Lego stashed in the back of the cupboard. Pull out the basket and make space on the floor for the kids to spread it out and create.

Set up an art station

Gather a few art materials and blank sheets of paper and place them on a table. Put on some music and see what creations the kids can come up with.

Camp indoors

If you have a tent packed away, pull it out and let the kids set up camp for a night on the living room floor. Fill it with some comfy blankets and pillows, give them a torch each and char a few marshmallows on the stove to enjoy together.

Create a scavenger hunt

Write up a little checklist of items on a sheet of paper and give it to the kids to seek out around the house. Write down things like fluffy, blue, noisy, smelly, scratchy, yellow, smooth etc. Let them search the house for items that suit and tick them off as they go.

Read together

Reading is so simple and a nice way to get close and spend quality time together. Let the kids grab some books they like, and gather a few books you like also and spend some time on the couch or bed flipping through them together. If schools are closed this will help them continue with learning in an enjoyable and relaxed way.

Have a dance party

Put on some music and let them show you some dance moves (or scare them with yours!). Kids love to dance. And when you are cooped up inside for so long, a bit of movement will do everyone some good.

Play hide and seek

What child doesn’t love hide and seek? See how many creative ways you can hide throughout the house. But don’t go into the washing machine! My brother did that and it took a fair bit of detergent to get him out again. True story.

Gather for afternoon tea

Make afternoon tea a thing. Bake something yummy and enjoy it together while you have a cup of tea or coffee. If the weather is nice, enjoy it on a picnic blanket in the yard.

Play dress-ups

If you have a collection of dressing up clothes, bring them out. Or, bring out a few of yours and your husband’s clothes and let them have fun pretending they are Mum and Dad for a little while.

Go on a photo excursion

Bring out the kid’s camera (if they have one) or help them with yours. Go for a walk around the neighbourhood and snap pictures of whatever inspires you all.

Make cleaning fun

Yes, kids do enjoy cleaning - when it’s fun. Fill up a tub of sudsy water and hand them a sponge and squeegee. They will love soaping up the exterior side of the windows and glass doors for a while. Or hand them a duster and let them go through the house dusting shelves.

Play a board game

Most of us have a drawer of board games that often sit there unused for a large amount of time. Bunkering indoors is the perfect time to bring them out again. Board games will help to keep our child’s brain ticking rather than zoning out and getting lazy in front of screens.

Having said that!…

Have a movie afternoon

When you have simply had enough of keeping kids occupied and need to zone out (we all do!) put some blankets and pillows on the floor, make a bowl of popcorn and watch a funny movie together.

Head out into nature

Even though you may be advised not to be too close to others in the public, it doesn’t mean you can’t venture outdoors. Head to a large field and kick a ball around, take the scooters out for a ride. Fresh air and physical movement will do wonders after being inside for a while.

. . .

Coronavirus or not, these ideas will hopefully help during those times of being indoors for a lengthy period - like weekends or school holidays. They may inspire some ideas of your own.

What fun things do you do with your kids indoors? How are you coping through this time? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment area below.

I hope you all stay healthy x