Rainy Day Indoor Games for Kids

Treasure Hunt

• Send children all around the house on a hunt to find hidden treasure. A series of clues leads the kids from one stop to the next. For younger kids, use pictures in the clues.

  The first clue might be a picture of the bathtub. In the bathtub the kids will find a picture of the dishwasher. The next picture clue is waiting at the dishwasher. The pictures lead them to the next clue until they arrive at the treasure.

  For older kids, leave written clues that give them a hint about the next location. A clue for the bathtub might read, "Find the next clue in the place where you scrub yourself clean."

Guessing Box

• Children use their sense of touch in this rainy day indoor game. Gather various objects with distinct textures such as cotton balls, sandpaper, a favorite stuffed animal or a bowl of gelatin. Cut a hole in the top of the box and cover it with a flap of fabric. Place one of the items inside the box without the kids seeing it. Lift the flap just enough for the child to reach into the box and feel it. She guesses the contents of the box based on feeling alone. Let each child have a turn before the kids say their guesses out loud. Reveal the contents after everyone has made a guess.

  A similar option deals with the sense of smell. Place items with strong scents in film canisters that don't allow the children to see inside. Ideas include a piece of lemon, a vinegar-soaked cotton ball, garlic, scented oils or spices. Poke a hole in the lid so the odor of each object gets out. The kids sniff each container and guess the scent. They earn a point for each correct guess.

Secret Codes

• Secret codes let the children pretend to be spies. Make up a different symbol for each letter of the alphabet. Write a message using the code. Provide the kids with a key for the code. They race to see who can decipher the code first to reveal the secret message. Let the kids have a turn creating their own secret messages. They can decode each other's messages for more entertainment.

Beanbag Balance

• Beanbags provide lots of entertainment on a rainy day. Balancing the beanbags on various body parts helps the kids practice fine motor skills. Clear an area in one of the rooms so the children have plenty of space.

  Start with something simple such as balancing the beanbag on the back of the hand while walking from one end of the room to the other. Call out a different balancing act for each round. Ideas include balancing the beanbag on the head, balancing it on the back while crawling across the room or holding it on the stomach while doing a crab walk across the room. Let the kids think of their own balancing tricks with the beanbags if you run out of ideas.