70 indoor activities for kids to keep them busy and entertained

You’ve already read all the books, played all the board games and sang all the songs. What other indoor activities can you possibly do when you’re stuck at home with kids?

Trying to parent your way through a sick day, a snow day or an I-don’t-wanna-leave-the-house day can trigger an extreme case of cabin fever in the best of us. Add a handful of whiny littles to the mix and it’s a recipe for disaster.

First, take a breath and remember that the day may seem endless, but it’s not.

Next, take a break if you need to. A little screen time won’t hurt anyone.

Laura Linn Knight, author of “Break Free from Reactive Parenting,” tells TODAY.com that screen time isn’t always bad if it’s used intentionally.

“It is a great time to watch family-favorite movies together,” Knight says.

After you’ve given yourself some breathing room, come up with a few ideas to keep your kids occupied after screen time. And chances are that you probably won’t have to play cruise director all day long.

Once you set up a few indoor activities for kids, they may come up with their own ideas and take the reins from there!

1. Try an art project.
2. Create a sensory bin.
3. Read a new book.
4. Do a science experiment.
5. Go on a “secret mission” with walkie-talkies.
6. Make a bird feeder.
7. Watch holiday movies (any time of year!).
8. Play hopscotch with masking tape.
9. Make homemade slime.
10. Do a puzzle.
11. Fold a paper airplane.
12. Paint a pet rock.
13. Learn a TikTok dance.
14. Read a new book.
15. Plan a scavenger hunt.
16. Have an indoor picnic.
17. Color seasonal coloring pages.
18. Host a kid-friendly trivia night.
19. Draw a self-portrait.
20. Sketch a family portrait.
21. Write in a journal.
22. Make a list of qualities you love about friends and family.
23. Stretch or do yoga.
24. Write out a list of goals.
25. Do origami.
26. Roll up in blankets — burrito style — and see how long it takes to escape without unrolling.
27. Video chat with a group of friends or relatives.
28. Freeze figurines in ice cube trays and find different ways to “free” them.
29. Make a race track for toy cars.
30. Create a “potion” station with colored water.
31. Just add stickers (to anything).
32. Fill a bowl with water to make a “pool” for dolls.
33. Make bath time a party with bubbles and music.
34. Set up a hair salon.
35. Practice typing skills.
36. Make a gratitude list.
37. Paint with watercolors.
38. Make a playlist with your top 10 favorite songs.
39. Have a dance party.
40. Create an indoor tent or fort.
41. Host a kid jokes competition.
42. Craft your own puppets.
43. Make oobleck.
44. Play dress-up with old costumes.
45. Try a new recipe.
46. Have a game night.
47. Make a scrapbook.
48. Complete a household chore.
49. Make and send cards to relatives and friends.
50. Have a Play-Doh building challenge.
51. Play restaurant.
52. Learn a classic game like chess or checkers.
53. Write a poem.
54. Have a prank war.
55. Make ice cream.
56. Play cards.
57. Turn cardboard boxes into a castle.
58. Play “Simon Says.”
59. Decorate the windows.
60. Host a DIY pizza night.
61. Decorate T-shirts.
62. Make an obstacle course.
63. Learn everyday words in a new language.
64. See how many jumping jacks you can do in 60 seconds.
65. Have a karaoke contest.
66. Make a meal together.
67. Play a board game.
68. Build Legos.
69. Play “I Spy.”
70. Host a tea party.

Kait Hanson

Kait Hanson is a graduate of Penn State University who began her career in collegiate sports communications.