Home >> Games & Cards >> Kids Games

Fun Free Indoor Activities for Kids

Whether it's snowing, raining, or just too cold or hot for the kids to play outside, it's nice to have a backup plan to keep them busy and happy. There are many indoor activities you can try with your kids that won't cost you money. All you need is a little creativity and some items you probably have around the house.

Mystery Box
- Any box you have will suffice as long as it is big enough for the kids to place their hands into it.
  
  Find any box that closes either with flaps or a lid such as a shoebox or hatbox. Cut a hole in the side or the top of the box large enough for the kid's hand to fit inside. Place any object inside the box and let your children take turns placing their hand inside and trying to guess what it is. If they can't guess right away, let them ask questions, or give them small hints until they can figure out what's inside.
Create Your Own Adventure Story
- Children love to be creative when given the opportunity.
  
  Provide each kid with a pencil and a piece of paper. Someone starts the story with a character and setting. For example, "There once lived a prince/princess in a castle..." could be a good start. Each participant takes a turn giving the next part of the story. The story grows with each new addition. When the story is ended, have the kids draw pictures of the characters, settings or actions of the story.
Coffee Can Stilt Races
- Although coffee cans are ideal, you can use any can that is large enough to hold a child's weight.
  
  Make the stilts with empty coffee cans and rope. Take your coffee cans and turn them upside down so that the open sides are on the bottom. Coffee cans can be metal or plastic. Poke a hole on both sides of each can using a screwdriver, being careful that any metal created by the hole will not hurt someone's hand. Using rope or thick string that is long enough, thread through both holes hole and tie them together inside the can. The rope needs to be long enough so that when your child stands on the cans, he can hold the rope ends in his hands. With two sets of coffee can stilts, you are ready to let them have a speed-walking race across the room.
The House of Cards
- There's more than one way to play with a deck of cards.
  
  All you will need here is a deck of cards. Show your child how to stand the cards up on their sides to make walls and ceilings of a house.
Pirate Treasure Hunt
- Any loose change you may have can be used as the "pirate's treasure."
  
  You will need any spare change and one cup or bowl per player. Have kids leave the room while you hide the "treasure." You can hide them anywhere a child can find them -- such under cushions, under the rug, or behind curtains. When the kids return, give each of them a cup or bowl and let the treasure hunt begin. Decide how long they have to hunt. When the time is up, the child with the most coins wins. Let the kids keep any "pirate treasure" they find. For added fun, have the kids make their own pirate hats out of construction paper before they hunt for the treasure.

Kids Games