60+ Indoor Home Activities and Crafts for Kids

Kids home from school due to snow!  It's raining and the kids can't go outside to play!

Trying to keep the kids busy indoors all day can be stressful.  But don't panic. It's easier than you think to keep them entertained and happy without a lot of media time.

We rounded up a list of great indoor activities and crafts that kids can do to keep them engaged all day long while they have to be cooped up inside.  Best of all, most of them don't require an electronic device or an app, so you don’t have to worry about too much screen time.

Think STEAM activities! Adding in important principles to a kid's day, like the ideas behind STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics – can make activities even educational.  The Ultimate List of STEAM Activities for Kids has lots of fun inspiring activities.

To make daily life easier kids need a routine and to know exactly what to expect.  So, an important first step to get through this time is to create and post a schedule.  Don't let them sleep all day.  Wake them up at their normal time and start the day as usual.

Preparation of the daily routine is as simple as dividing the day into hourly sections and listing an activity in each section.  Here is a sample of what the routine can look like.  

Breakfast to 9:30 - Free play if their bed is made and room straightened up.

9:30 to 10:30 - Educational and/or STEM activity - If the school has sent home an educational package or there are Internet classes, this is the time for the kids to work on them.

10:30 to 11: 30 - Group activity - board game, baking cookies, jigsaw puzzle, etc.

11:30 to 12:30 - Get the kids involved in the preparation of their lunch.  Eat and don't forget to have them clean up their dirty dishes.

12:30 to 1:30 - Burn up some energy with indoor exercise games and play.  

1:30 - 2:30 - Quiet time - rest in their room, read a book, color, or other quiet activity.

2:30 to 4:30 - Arts and crafts or other indoor activity from the following list.

4:30 to dinner - TV, computer, video games, movie.

Make your own schedule that will accommodate your household.  The schedule is just a guideline.   Be flexible!

Be Involved! Spend time doing activities and crafts with your kids.

LIST OF FUN, ENTERTAINING, INDOOR CRAFTs and ACTIVITIES

If you can get to the craft store, stock up on some basic crafting supplies and craft kits.  If you can't get to the store, you can order supplies from Amazon and have them delivered right to your doorstep. Whether you had time to stock up on crafting supplies or not, a lot of these craft activities can be made with everyday items you already have around the house.

1. Fashion a finger knitted friendship bracelet.

2. Build a blanket and pillow fort.  Snuggle up inside and read some books.

3. Let the kids create some of these duct tape projects.

4. Have your child write and illustrate a short story.

5. Bake cookies.

6. Collect rocks and paint them.

7. Learn how to spool knit.  With spool knitting cord, kids can make flowers, bracelets, doll crafts, Christmas decorations and more.

8. Grab a deck of cards and teach them Slapjack, Rummy, Snap or War. 

9. Create foamy fun by making Elephant's Toothpaste.

10. Build a balloon-powered Lego car and measure how far it will go.

11. Feed the birds by making Cheerios hanging bird feeders.

12. Experiment with the world of aviation by making paper airplanes and throwing them through a target. Have a paper airplane flying contest.

13. Do you have a Star Wars fanatic? Watch a Star Wars movie and create a fun and easy DIY lightsabers.

14. Tying knots is a fun and useful life skill.

15. Teach your child to crochet or knit and make some fun projects. A great way to introduce kids to knitting is finger knitting or loop yarn knitting.

16. Kids love to play with slime.  Whip up a batch of slime with this step-by-step instructional tutorial.

17. Kids can make braided ribbon barrettes. 

18. Engage kids in STEM activities.  Need ideas?  The STEM Laboratory has 50+ Genius Stem Activities for Kids or check out Science Buddie with their STEM Activities for Kids.

19, Learn how to fold origami frogs and have a frog jumping contest.  Fold paper to create other interesting origami figures. 

20. Thread macaroni on yarn to make a necklace.  Or do other macaroni crafts.

21. Bring out the Lego's and let the kid's start building.  Frugal fun for Boys and Girls has 100+ unique Lego building ideas for kids. 

22. Loom weaving is a cool craft for kids to learn and keep them busy.  If you don't have a loom, try some of these weaving ideas.

23. Decorate dollar store t-shirts or an old t-shirt with puffy paint.

24. Build a tabletop hovercraft.

25. Work on a jigsaw puzzle.

26. Paracord bracelets are a popular craft for both boys and girls.

27. Skype or FaceTime with grandparents or friends.

28. Make a marble maze with straws and a cardboard box lid.

29. Kids can repurpose plastic grocery bags into a fun colorful plastic bag wreath.  

30. Plan a scavenger hunt by writing clues to hidden treasures through the house.

31. Doll Fans!  Make clothes and accessories for dolls.

32. Make some popcorn and watch a movie.

33. Diamond art is cool and fun.  Teenagers will love this craft.

34. Does your child have trouble holding playing cards?  Have them make this easy Lego playing card holder.

35. Make musical instruments like a  popsicle stick harmonica, paper plate tambourine or cereal box guitar.

36. Play some music and have a sing-along and dance party.

37. Teach them how to make something with plastic canvas. 

38. Let kids look through an old photo album and tell them about the pictures.

39. Decorate a pair of canvas tennis shoes.

40. Create a comic book with free comic book templates by Picklebums.

41.  Burn off energy with indoor exercise games. Mommy Poppins has 25 exercise games and indoor activities to get kids moving.

42. Sew a simple drawstring pouch. Want more simple sewing ideas for kids? Look at these.

43. Bake cupcakes with the kids and let them decorate them.

44. Gather up photos that are scattered around the house and create a scrapbook with the kids.

45. Make homemade ice cream in the bag.  

46. Create something fun with mod podge.

47. Have the kids make their own board game and play it.

48. Make a bean bag toss.

49. At lunch, have a make your own pizzas party with English muffins, sauce, and toppings.

50. Create a wind chime.

51.  Make a no-sew fleece blanket.

52. Learn magic tricks and put on a show.

53. Plan a tea party for dolls and/or stuffed animals.

54.. Play dress-up. 

55. Use a toilet paper roll to make a cute Fire Dragon Paper craft.

56. Sew a denim pocket handbag.

57. Make simple paper bag animal puppets.  Get started with this pig or dog puppet by 86 Lemons.

58, Bring the outdoors inside by making a paper plate flower craft.

59. With painter's tape make indoor hopscotch . Then use a sponge or bean bag to toss on the numbers.

60. Have them create a rain stick.

61. Cuddle up and read a book to them.

62.  Write letters to relatives.  

63. Decoupage stamps, magazine pages, tissue paper, wrapping paper or other papers onto a grits container.

64. Play hide and seek.

65. Create a Ninja with a toilet paper roll and some everyday household items.

66. Sock Puppets can be made with old or mismatched socks and basic craft and household supplies you already have around the house.

67. Fingerprint art is a way to keep kids busy for hours.

68. With popsicle sticks, create a stenciled desk set.

I hope this list of ideas has inspired you with ways to keep your kids entertained. 

Need more ideas?  Check out our Rainy Day Crafts for Kids Pinterest board.