100+ Indoor Activities for Kids - Happy Toddler Playtime (2024)

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Are you on the lookout for ways to keep your little ones entertained indoors? Whether it’s a rainy day, a chilly afternoon, or you’re just opting for some homebound fun, we’ve got you covered with over 100 indoor activities that are sure to keep your kids engaged, learning, and most importantly, having a blast!

Gone are the days when staying inside meant a boring lineup of TV and video games. Our mega list of indoor activities is packed with creativity, learning, and loads of fun. From arts and crafts to DIY science experiments, from brain-teasing puzzles to imaginative play, there’s something for every curious, creative, and energetic child. So, let’s turn those potential cabin fever moments into hours of indoor excitement!

Indoor Adventures Await: Activities Galore!

Our extensive list of indoor activities is designed to cater to a wide range of interests and age groups. We believe that indoor time can be both a fun and educational experience. These activities not only keep your kids entertained but also help in developing various skills like fine motor coordination, cognitive abilities, creativity, and even social skills when they involve group play.

You’ll find activities that require minimal preparation and materials you likely already have at home. From transforming your living room

into an imaginative play zone to exploring the wonders of science in your kitchen, there’s no end to the fun and learning that can happen right inside your home. Plus, many of these activities are perfect for those days when you’re juggling work-from-home duties or household chores and need engaging, self-directed activities for your kids.

Dive into a World of Indoor Fun: Our Top Picks

  1. DIY Craft Projects: Unleash your child’s creativity with simple craft projects. Think homemade playdough, pasta jewelry, or paper mache creations.
  2. Play with Magnetic Tiles.
  3. Kitchen Science Experiments: Turn your kitchen into a science lab. Baking soda volcanoes, homemade slime, or density experiments with oil and water can be both fun and educational. Perform ‘magic’ in your kitchen with these Easy Science Experiments.
  4. Indoor Treasure Hunts: Create a treasure hunt by hiding clues around the house. It’s a great way to get the kids moving and thinking.
  5. Build a Fort: Use pillows, blankets, and furniture to build a magnificent fort. It’s perfect for imaginative play or cozy reading time.
  6. Home Theater: Put on a play or a puppet show. Kids can create their scripts, make costumes, or even design tickets.
  7. Yoga and Exercise: Stay active with kid-friendly yoga or a homemade obstacle course to burn off energy.
  8. Board Games and Puzzles: Ideal for developing strategic thinking and patience. Plus, it’s a great way for family bonding.
  9. Educational Apps and Online Resources: There are numerous educational apps that make learning fun, covering topics from math to languages.
  10. Art Gallery at Home: Have an art session where kids can paint or draw, then display their artwork in a home gallery.
  11. Cooking and Baking: Involve kids in cooking or baking. It’s a delicious way to teach them about measurements, patience, and the joy of creating something from scratch.
  12. Reading and Storytelling: Create a cozy reading corner. Share stories or have older kids read to younger ones.
  13. Music and Dance: Have a dance party or try learning a new instrument. Music is great for expression and motor skills.
  14. Gardening Indoors: If you have space, try indoor gardening with herbs or small plants, teaching responsibility and care for nature.
  15. Learning with Toys: Educational toys like building blocks, puzzles, and memory games are great for skill development.
  16. DIY Time Capsule: Create a time capsule with current favorite items and notes, to be opened in the future.
  17. Play with Cars or Trucks.
  18. Play with Dolls.
  19. Play with Trains.
  20. Play with Mega Bloks.
  21. Make Silly Putty.
  22. Do a science experiments with Balloons.
  23. Play with Post-it Notes.
  24. Make something with Cardboard.
  25. Turn your Salad Spinner into the best toy.
  26. Play or make something using Toilet Paper Rolls.
  27. Play with Dinosaurs.
  28. Take a fun Bath.
  29. Play with Play Dough.
  30. Play with Oobleck
  31. Get creative with Glue.
  32. Make something or play with Pom Poms.
  33. Play with Squeeze Pouch Caps.
  34. Have an Indoor Picnic.
  35. Have a Dance Party.
  36. Make a Sensory Bin.
  37. Build a Book Rainbow.
  38. Make a DIY Ball Ramp.
  39. Try a fun Brain Teaser.
  40. How to Make a Giant Floor Maze for Kids
  41. Giant Nail Salon
  42. Animal Line-up Kids Activity
  43. Bread Painting: Edible Art
  44. Make Bread in a Bag Recipe for Kids

Cutlery Sorting – Happy Toddler

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEcl4gjldt7/?igshid=13l9ahaai8bj9

DIY Flip Book for Toddlers – Happy Toddler Playtime

Indoor Exercise Course by Mother Could

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_IhYV3geoT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Indoor Learning Activities

Roll and Drop – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFSd1s1FO4v/?igshid=1jkv31t6wl1r

Poke Your Name – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEub-AAlqcz/?igshid=z7wkq6s0wmop

Elmer the Elephant Sticky Wall – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEpRA1blWNO/?igshid=3rdtysvlynd1

Leaf Counting Wands – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEmtKsQFj-t/?igshid=oxmfy8q7kr9u

Big Building Blocks: Toddler STEM Activity – Busy Toddler

Mystery Math – Happy Toddler Playtime

Giant Alphabet Puzzle Game – Happy Toddler Playtime

Dot Sticker Dinosaur – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEPoeVAFPIB/?igshid=1grzngadefx38

Dinner Plate Counting – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CENMAbYF4-F/?igshid=9649koa712vf

Mega Blok Counting – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEFbWKdlecw/?igshid=skfpimb8087s

Rain Drop Counting Sticky Wall – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDuInBblEtZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Unwrap the Names – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDnFN03lSIf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Car Letters – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDPxVRHlcDW/?igshid=1pknz9en94nxi

Big Letter Dot It – Pocket of Preschool

Giant Shape Match Activity – Busy Toddler

Magnetic Tile Symmetry – Mama Papa Bubba

Giant Shape Painting – Happy Toddler Playtime

Big DIY Shapes Puzzle by Munchkins and Moms

by Happy Toddler Playtime

Big Word Search Activity by Busy Toddler

Giant Color Sorting – Get Active While Learning Colors! by Chalk Academy

Tube Pattern Matching by Happy Toddler Playtime

Giant Pattern Blocks by I Can Teach My Child

Easy DIY Giant Dice by The Craft Train

Giant Tape Road – My Bored Toddler

Big Alphabet Memory Game by Frugal Fun 4 Boys

Indoor Sensory Activities

Cool Giant Water Beads by Teaching Mama

Giant Sensory Lagoon by Two Daloo

Giant Rice Pool Sensory by Busy Toddler

Big Colout Themed Sensory Tub by The Imagination Tree

Colorful Giant Couscous Sensory Bin by Crafty Morning

Indoor Art Activities

Make a Farm – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFAcGWwFBpl/?igshid=n2xgm7xcbox7

Giant Nail Salon by Happy Toddler Playtime

Giant Doll Decorating – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEXYkJVFi5n/?igshid=6gm6ikzzwm5y

Sock Hand Painting – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDChvdglpDS/?igshid=ke5s3o2fw6pz

Paint the Horses – Happy Toddler Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-FkugVlBhh/?igshid=10mw5r8xbx4l5

Giant Sticky Collage by Mamapapabubba

Body Paint Process Art by Busy Toddler

Giant Flower Collage by Crafty Kids at Home

Giant Cardboard Flower by Make-It-Your-Own

CREATE GIANT KID SIZE SPIROGRAPH DRAWINGS by Hello Wonderful

Large Scale Cardboard Painting – Mama.Papa.Bubba

Giant Canvas Toddler Art by Busy Toddler

Giant Earth Day Art by Happy Toddler Playtime

$1 Giant Dry Erase Mat by I Heart Crafty Things

Giant Crayon by Homegroan Friends

Colorful Giant Painting by Busy Toddler

WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE AMAZING INDOOR ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE? PIN IT FOR LATER!

100+ Indoor Activities for Kids - Happy Toddler Playtime (7)
100+ Indoor Activities for Kids - Happy Toddler Playtime (2024)

FAQs

How much playtime does a toddler need? ›

Physical activity guidelines for toddlers recommend that each day they: get at least 30 minutes of structured (adult-led) physical activity. get at least 60 minutes of unstructured (active free play) physical activity. not be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time except when sleeping.

Why is indoor play important for toddlers? ›

Children learn how to socialise and begin to comprehend specific social behaviours through play, and an indoor play area provides a safe environment for them to try out new things. Indoor games and play areas allow them to comfortably interact with their peers, developing notions of sharing, teamwork and communication.

What activities does your child enjoy most? ›

The 15 Best Activities for Children to Help Them Learn Through...
  1. Sand. ...
  2. Water Play. ...
  3. Play Dough. ...
  4. Dress-Up and Role Play. ...
  5. Doll and Character Play. ...
  6. Drawing and Painting. ...
  7. Blocks, Jigsaws, and Shape Sorters. ...
  8. Music, Dancing, and Singing.

How many activities does a toddler need? ›

Ideally, they need 180 minutes of activity a day. But don't worry, it doesn't have to be all at once – 10 or 20 minutes here and there all counts towards the total. And all sorts of activity counts too, whether it's indoors or outdoors. It's just about getting them moving every day.

Should toddlers play all day? ›

Toddlers (aged 1 to 2)

Toddlers should be physically active every day for at least 180 minutes (3 hours). The more the better. This should be spread throughout the day, including playing outdoors.

How long should I play with my toddler each day? ›

It's important that children receive at least an hour of free playtime, and a half hour of guided playtime every day, though they should receive more if possible. This doesn't include screen time.

What are the benefits of children playing indoors? ›

Indoor play areas provide an ideal setting for children to interact with their peers and develop crucial social skills. Kids learn to communicate, cooperate, negotiate, and resolve conflicts through group play. These interactions foster the development of empathy, teamwork, and leadership skills.

What is 10 indoor games? ›

Popular Indoor Games
ChessA strategic board game for two players.
TwisterA game involving balancing on colored circles.
Snakes and LaddersA dice game on a board with snakes and ladders.
CheckersA two-player strategy game on a checkered board.
CarromA tabletop game of flicking disks into pockets.
5 more rows
Mar 18, 2024

What are indoor play activities? ›

What is indoor play? Indoor play is not just sitting around staring at a screen. In fact, playing indoors may involve anything from video games to arts and crafts, as well as activities such as board games, puzzles and going to an indoor playground.

What makes a child happy? ›

Cultivate your child's healthy habits

Lots of sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet are important to everyone's well-being, especially children's. For exercise, your child doesn't have to be on a soccer team: Just running around outside helps children with their moods.

What is sensory play for toddlers? ›

Sensory play is any activity that stimulates our senses – touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. It helps children interact with and make sense of the world that surrounds them.

How many toys does a toddler really need? ›

As an approximate guide, try to keep the number of toys immediately available to under 4 for a premobile child, under 8 for a crawling child, and under 12 for a toddler, depending on the size of the space and number of parts to each toy. A set of stacking cups or a basket of duplo blocks counts as one toy by this rule.

Do I play with my toddler enough? ›

So are you playing enough with your children? The simple answer is yes. Playing for 2 hours with your child is a very healthy amount, according to Dr David Whitebread, Senior Lecturer in Psychology & Education, developmental cognitive psychologist and early-years specialist at the University of Cambridge.

What do toddlers need daily? ›

How Much Food Do They Need? Depending on their age, size, and activity level, toddlers need about 1,000–1,400 calories a day. Refer to the chart below to get an idea of how much your child should be eating and what kinds of foods would satisfy the requirements.

How much time should a toddler spend alone? ›

At 12 months, they can handle about 15 minutes of solo play. At 18 months, they might play alone for 15 to 20 minutes. At 2 years, they should last around 30 minutes.

How many hours should a toddler be active? ›

For toddlers (1 to 2 years)

The more active play toddlers take part in, the better. Toddlers should get at least 3 hours of various physical activities each day, including energetic play. This could be through: running – playing tips, ball games or races at the park.

How long should a toddler play alone? ›

All children are different and there are no hard rules for how long a child has to be playing independently. But, if you're trying to build this skill, the guidelines below can help with managing appropriate expectations. 12-18 Months: Start with 5 to 10 minutes a day and work your way up to 30 or 45 minutes.

How many hours a day should a toddler get? ›

Summary. At this age, toddlers generally sleep 12 to 13 hours in a 24-hour period, including daytime naps of 1 to 2 hours. Some toddlers may still wake at night and will need you to comfort them, especially if they have night time fears.

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