When the weather outside forces your kids inside, you need a BIG list of indoor activities to keep them busy (and quiet!). And since you definitely don’t need more work to do, these ideas are simple and require little adult supervision or planning! You’re welcome!
This post is sponsored by The Adventum (coupon code below!)
“Can we just watch TV?” they ask. And frankly, I’m tempted. However, I don’t want them watching TV all day every day on days when they can’t go outside and play. That type of entertainment only leads to more issues. What I need is an arsenal of indoor activities that don’t require a lot of planning and can be done without me facilitating and mediating.
Read: How to Get a Mommy-Break Without the Help of Television
Make a Big List of Indoor Activities
The first thing every mom needs is a Rainy Day List (or an Inside Day List or a Whatever-Reason-the-Kids-Are-Inside List). This needs to be done NOW. Not when the weather is inclement and you have to think on the fly. If you do the prep work beforehand, the actual implementation of the activities on your list will run much smoother. You may even be able to give your kids choices about what things they can do, which will also lead to anticipation of what they might be able to do tomorrow when the weather is twice as bad!
A Rainy Day List doesn’t have to be elaborate – a simple pen and paper are all you need – or make a Pinterest board or Evernote note! However you work best, and whatever medium will readily be available when you need it is the “right way” to do this!
DO THIS NOW:
- Write out several indoor activity ideas.
- Create a supply list from that list.
- Gather what you have on hand or buy what you don’t have.
- Put everything in a safe place.
…and you are ready to go!
EASY Indoor Activity Ideas
It can be difficult to find indoor activities that don’t require a lot of work from mom. Here is a list of some of our favorites and how we implement them to make it as simple and entertaining as possible for the kids.
1 – Start a Library of Audio Books
Audios are so much better for kids’ brains than video because it encourages them to “see” the pictures in their minds, rather than allowing an animator to create all of their mental images for them. Audios are a fantastic way to pass the time on days when your children cannot go outside and play.
I personally prefer audios that are educational, interesting, and well-done. An excellent example of this is The Adventum.
The Adventum is an immersive Bible experience with a full music score, amazing voice actors, and a script that tells the story without adding to Scripture. Your kids will learn the stories that shape our faith without being bored by dry characters and poorly produced audio. My kids absolutely devoured this series!
>> CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ADVENTUM! <<
USE CODE: RA15
to get 15% off your order!
(offer ends November 15)
Benefits of Audios:
- No planning or prep for mom!
- Can be confined to one room with no mess!
- Doesn’t take up a lot of storage space.
Other ways to enjoy Audios:
- Curl up on the couch with blankets.
- Print coloring pages to go along with what they are listening to.
- Encourage kids to act out the stories they are listening to.
- Make snacks to go along with the stories.
2 – Build a Blanket Playhouse
Kids LOVE to throw blankets over things and make quiet, dark places to hide away and play or read or just cuddle with their stuffed animals. Most kids ADORE enclosed spaces where they feel like they are in their own little world.
This activity is super simple and only requires a blanket or tablecloth, something to throw it over like a table or a few chairs with their backs to the center or a bed and dresser with pillows and books holding the blanket in place. Add a few pillows on the floor, several beloved books and smattering of stuffed animals, and you have an afternoon of endless possibilities!
Other ways to enjoy a Blanket Playhouse:
- Each child makes their own individual room.
- Kids get to eat meals or snacks in their cave.
- Let the kids stay the night in their playhouse!
- Give the kids paper, crayons, and tape to make “windows” and “decorations” for their house.
Alternative option:
Use a pop-up playpen tent like THE ONE WE HAVE!
3 – Tape Cities & Roads
I’m not kidding when I say I buy blue painter’s tape in BULK! This stuff has so many great uses, one of which is creating roads and cities on your floor! Because this tape comes up easily, you can let it stay on your carpet (and even walls!) for quite a while without worrying it will stick there forever.
Your kids can easily learn how to make their own roads, so all you have to do is make sure you have tape on hand and plenty of cars for them to drive up and down their streets!
Alternative option:
Make a city from boxes! Let the kids use crayons or markers to create cars, houses, shops, and more!
4 – Board Games
Now before you tell me this is NOT a hands-off activity for mom, hear me out…
Little kids don’t need to know the rules and play the game correctly to have a good time! In fact, if you have a game that has pieces missing – all the better! Candy Land is just as fun when your 3 year runs their gingerbread man all over the board willy-nilly as it is when they play by the rules! Keep a variety of board games that suit various ages, and let them play however they like! (Keep the board games you don’t want played incorrectly out of sight!)
5 – Create indoor sensory play habitats!
You might not want your kids in the snow outside, BUT you could give them “snow” inside by way of a sensory tub filled with Insta-Snow! I was amazed by how long my kids played with the snow we bought from Amazon last year! They tracked their Arctic animals through it for days!
You could also make water beads like THESE. These have also provided hours of fun for my kids during inclement weather!
6 – Rotating Toy Tubs
This is one of those tricks organized moms use to keep their houses tidy, but for me, it’s less about organization and more about keeping toys exciting and fresh for those days when everyone is suffering from cabin fever!
Do this now:
- Sort out a few “sets” of toys – Legos, Lincoln Logs, Kitchen toys, etc.
- Buy plastic tubs with lids to store the toys in.
- Store the tubs in the basement or garage.
- Rotate the toy tubs in and out during bad weather!
How easy is that?!
7 – The old standbys
Never forget the good old tried and true indoor activities we all know and love –
- Crayons and coloring books (or plain paper!)
- Playdough
- Books
- Legos
- Playing in the sink
If you don’t want to make your own list of activities, simply click the Print button to print out this post! And remember to check out The Adventum as a great addition (or start!) to your audio library!
>> Get 15% off with code: RA15 <<
CLICK HERE TO SHOP!
Leave a Reply