Are you and your family stuck at home? There could be a hundred reasons you’re cooped up inside. Maybe there’s a snowstorm, or your car is in the shop, or you just need to save a little money. Regardless, kids can get antsy with nothing to do for long periods of time.
Are you looking for some creative, fun activities and games to keep the whole family entertained? Look no further. Here’s a list of imaginative adventures, games, and projects to get you started and have your kids enjoying quality time with you. You won’t be hearing “I’m so bored” after trying these out!
1. Build a pillow and blanket fort in the living room.
Kids have amazing imaginations, so lean into their sense of wonder by creating a little fortress out of pillows and blankets. This is your chance to get creative with them! Drape a blanket over the sofa and another piece of furniture to create a canopy, and build walls out of pillows. Make a cozy little nook where your kids can dream.
2. Make popcorn and have a movie marathon.
Movie marathons are exciting for kids, and enjoyable for parents as well (as long as you’re not watching The Lego Movie for the 108th time). Let your kids vote on their top two choices. And if they can’t decide? Write the two movies down on separate scraps of paper, and hide them behind your back. Have your kid pick a hand to select a movie - they’ll love the element of surprise.
3. Create a car or spaceship out of a large cardboard box.
Like building a pillow fort, using a large cardboard box in an inventive way gets the imagination moving. Draw on the box to make it look like a spaceship, airplane, or car. Then have them get inside and slide them across the floor. This activity seems almost too simple, but trust me - they’ll be giggling the whole time.
4. Play Go-Fish or another card game.
Card games like Go-Fish are simple enough to learn fairly fast. They’re also great as low-key activities that allow the family to sit around at the table together. All you need is a deck of cards!
5. Bake a delicious dessert.
Baking a delicious treat together as a family is like the gift that keeps on giving. It’s fun from start to finish! From picking out what you want to eat, to getting your apron dirty with flour and sugar, to enjoying the treats when they’re done baking, this activity is sure to keep your family entertained.
6. Start a game of hopscotch in the driveway.
Hopscotch is an age-old classic schoolyard game. All it takes is something – like chalk or twigs – to create the square shapes. It’s simple, fun, gets your kids moving, and gives your family some fresh air.
7. Play hide-and-seek in the house.
Who doesn’t love hide-and-seek? It can get competitive and downright thrilling! Your kids will be squealing with joy when you peek into the closet and discover their hiding spot.
8. Have a picnic on the living room floor.
Your kids will probably love this one. It’s not every day parents suggest you sit crisscross on the living room floor to feast on a yummy picnic lunch. You can go all out on this one if you want - set up a blanket, pack the food in a basket, the whole shebang.
9. Break out your favorite board games.
Board games feel like a timeless, go-to activity when you’re cooped up in the house. There are so many kinds to choose from. Classics like Chutes and Ladders, checkers, Candy Land, Battlefield, and Sorry! Are all great options.
10. Make chalk art on the driveway.
Let your family’s artistic side shine through. Grab some multicolored sidewalk chalk, and hit your driveway. You can draw anything your heart desires, from creating your own little town, to a flower garden, to a stick figure version of your family. The freedom is the fun part!
11. Jump rope and Double Dutch in the yard.
Jumping rope is a great way to get your bodies moving and enjoying the outdoors. It helps you practice your coordination, get in a great workout, and allows for plenty of laughter. Want to step it up a notch? Try some Double Dutch jump-roping, which is even more of a group effort.
12. Play ‘Simon Says’ or ‘Red Light Green Light’.
The games ‘Simon Says’ and ‘Red Light Green Light’ are really fun activities for kids. They don’t require money or equipment, and can be played anywhere and everywhere. Teaching your kids the rules is simple. If you want to reverse the roles and have your kids rolling with laughter, let them be Simon and tell YOU what to do! It’ll get goofy fast.
13. Go through old family photos or home movies.
Taking a walk down memory lane with your family is a wonderful bonding experience. Looking through old photos from the past and showing your kids the people and moments that are important to you will help you connect more intimately. And nothing is more fun than watching old home movies, especially the silly ones!
For more resources and information on family bonding, family issues, and more, check out some of the articles available on BetterHelp.
