Kids can grow restless from spending too much time indoors. By introducing them to a variety of activities, they’ll shake feelings of being “stuck” inside and instead look forward to discovering new ways to enjoy their time. Keep the following list handy so that the next time you hear “I’m bored,” you’ll have an abundance of entertaining and educational indoor activities at the ready.
- Indoor Gardening
Gardening is the ultimate hands-on learning experience. Observe the plant life cycle and experiment with different levels of sunlight, water, and soil. Incorporate math by measuring plant growth. Teach responsibility and patience by assigning your kids to plant care duty. Add fun by creating a terrarium or seed balls.
- Performance Play
Kids are known for a flair for the dramatic, but participating in acting, singing, and dancing activities can actually help them regulate emotions, manage anxiety, and build self-esteem. Let loose and have a dance party. Hold a family karaoke night. Have your children write a play and get the whole family involved to make props, set up the stage, and perform.
- Arts and Crafts
Working on an art project for an extended period enhances children’s attention span and concentration. Supplies like scissors and beads strengthen fine motor skills. Spark your child’s creativity by offering a variety of supplies. Kids can do amazing things with little more than glitter glue and a popsicle stick.
- Cooking
Your kitchen represents an at-home learning lab. Through the process of cooking, children learn about measuring, sequencing, following directions, fractions, cause and effect, chemical changes, and more.
Studies show that kids who are involved in meal planning and preparation are more likely to develop healthy eating behaviors. Set them up for success in the kitchen by using developmentally-appropriate cooking utensils and demonstrating safe food prep methods.
- Martial Arts
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo and other forms of martial arts provide a healthy outlet for kids to release energy, build character and learn valuable skills:
- Self-defense
- Concentration and memory
- Discipline
- Coordination and balance
- Perseverance
- Teamwork
- Self-confidence
- Imaginative Play
Also called make-believe or pretend play, imaginative play is an essential component of child development. Transforming into a favorite character or acting out a real-world scenario inspires creativity and builds emotional, social, and language skills.
If your child wants to design clothes, indulge their creativity and help them “start” their business. Introduce them to online tools that let them make a logo design for clothing. They’ll have a blast choosing fonts, colors, and graphics to customize a template.
- Meditation and Yoga
It rarely works to just tell a child to calm down. Self-care practices such as yoga and meditation are much more effective at enabling kids to ground themselves. Use animal poses to add a kid-friendly element to yoga. Download apps that offer short guided meditation sessions to build the habit.
- Household Chores
Chores, while not the most appealing activity, teach practical life skills and show children how to meaningfully contribute to their family. Approach tasks as a game to make them seem more fun. Let your kids color on windows with paint markers, then wipe them clean. Mark off squares of your floor with masking tape and have kids sweep into their designated square. Get creative and enjoy a clean house.
Be mindful that kids will gravitate towards certain activities more than others. Offer plenty of opportunities for your children to cultivate their current interests while still encouraging them to try new things. They will benefit from well-rounded indoor experiences that support their development.