When your kids are stuck inside because of the weather, try one of these fun indoor activities for kids to keep them from climbing the walls!
Kids are not really built for hanging out indoors. Kids are generally wide open and constantly distracted. This makes finding indoor activities for kids a challenge for most parents. The key is coming up with things that will hold their attention. It is very easy to give in and sit them in front of a Playstation or television. Unfortunately, that is going to do little to help them in any way and plenty to hurt them. Just because those things will keep them occupied, that does not mean they are good options.
Five Fun Indoor Rainy Day Activities for Kids
Here are some things to do inside that will help them in some way and still keep your kids intrigued for hours at a time:
Break out the old board games or build a fort
Long ago, in the days before video games and iPads, board games and forts were the ultimate entertainment. From Monopoly to Operation, board games educated and entertained kids and families for hours on end. Dust off a few of the old classics and introduce your kids to the wonders of dice and cardboard. You might be shocked to find out that it still works! You can even build a fort from blankets, pillows and boxes to play them in!
Read
It might seem like the fun of reading a book has lost its allure, but that is only smoke and mirrors. Put a classic kid’s book in front of a child and watch what happens. You will see the magic of your own childhood blossom all over again. Although you might have to keep the hits coming, you will never have problems getting your child to read once you get them interested.
Build a story
Kids love reading books and hearing stories, but they love making up stories even more. Have your kids sit down and collaborate on a great story. Give them a general framework for the story and assign certain areas to each of them. Then challenge them to bring them all together in a written book or play. This can really help them to test their creative sides.
Sock puppets
A nice. large cardboard box and a few socks with magic markers can occupy a group of kids for hours on end. Cut them out a “stage” from a cardboard box and then show them how to make some really cool sock puppets. You will be surprised at how excited they get over them and they might even teach you a thing or two. You can expand on this by encouraging them to write a script. Once they have rehearsed, pop some popcorn and let them sell you and your spouse tickets and popcorn, then sit back and enjoy the show.
Build a business
Lemonade stands are no longer the only game in town. If your kids are really wanting to use the computer, challenge them to do something constructive with that time. Have them build a business idea from the ground up. Get them to write up a business plan, lay down the framework for the idea of production and then challenge them to market the product or service. This is not a complicated concept but it might pay off for the rest of their lives. Starting them young is never a bad idea when it comes to taking care of themselves and dreaming big.
More Rainy Day Activities
25 Outdoor Rainy Day Activities for Kids
Living Room Camp-out Ideas for Kids
Heidi says
Some really great ideas. I particularly love the last idea of having the kids build a business. Teaching our kids about money, entrepreneurship and how to be a successful adult is so important!
Brandy Myers says
We have been busting out the board games a lot lately. My oldest is finally grasping the concept of them and I love how much they teach him! Go Candyland!