100 Indoor Kids' Activities

Lately it has been so cold that the kids have not been able to go outside or on the porch to run around.  School was even cancelled two days!  All this leads up to a house full of pent up energy and slightly cranky kids.  I admit some days to letting them watch too many tv shows, but we've been trying to think of some creative ways to keep them moving, thinking and imagining.  Below I have a list of ideas.  I typed each one into Publisher and made little cards that I cut out.  I put all the cards into an empty tissue box.  Now whenever the kids are looking for something to do or tell me they are bored, I can have them reach in and grab a card.  But beware!  Some of the cards say "do a chore."  Two even say "do homework!"

100 Great Indoor Activities during Inclement Weather

1. do gymnastics stretches
2. crab walk the length of the living room
3. bear walk the length of the living room
4. bunny hop the length of the living room
5. frog leaps the length of the living room
6. flamingo walk the length of the living room
7. walk backwards the length of the living room
8. walk on tip toe the length of the living room
9. ten donkey kicks  (gymnastics-inspired activities are great for strength!)
10. ten jumping jacks
11. ten sit-ups
12. play red light, green light
13. play Simon says (teaches listening skills)
14. hop on one foot
15. spin around 5 times
16. act out your favorite story or book
17. read a book
18. build a fort
19. have a tea party or indoor picnic
20. have a dance party (let loose of all that energy, great for kids and parents)
21. write a letter (email is great and efficient, but who doesn't love a handwritten note?!)
22. make a card (homemade is extra special)
23. use toilet paper rolls to make a craft
24. go on a treasure hunt
25. bake cookies
26. color a picture
27. scrapbook
28. build an obstacle course
29. play cards
30. play a board game
31. take a bubble bath (entertainment and cleanliness at the same time)
32. make a music video (reminds me of my childhood singing Madonna...)
33. build something with recyclables
34. duct tape crafts
35. play hot potato
36. build a Lego city
37. record a video for a relative
38. plan a sleepover
39. make care kits for homeless (teaches kids compassion)
40. be a pirate
41. build a trap
42. tickle monster
43. use masking tape to make a game (ie hopscotch, balance beam, spider web)
44. make slime or ooblek
45. play playdough
46. use paper plates to make a ring toss
47. write secret messages with crayon and paint over to reveal
48. use lemon juice to write secret messages (science experiment in disguise!)
49. put together a puzzle
50. play pantyhose polo
51. do shadow puppets on the wall
52. write a story
53. play hide & seek or sardines
54. play musical chairs
55. blow bubbles on a plate
56. bead a necklace
57. make a snack necklace
58. cut up magazines to make a collage
59. draw with window markers (why waste paper?)
60. race paper airplanes
61. origami
62. have a playdate
63. plant an indoor herb garden
64. do a fashion show
65. play dress-up
66. make sock puppets (I know you have a million mismatched socks in the laundry room)
67. look at old photos (kids love hearing stories about themselves or their family)
68. re-arrange a room (even if only for a day)
69. have a family movie night, with popcorn and snuggles
70. host an un-birthday party
71. make paper dolls and clothes
72. edible sculptures from grapes or marshmallows and toothpicks
73. do a photo shoot
74. interview each other, make a "newspaper"
75. paint in the bathtub
76. have a spa day
77. freeze dance
78. use a balloon to play keep up
79. play charades
80. put on a kids' work out or dance video
81. learn the words to a song
82. memorize a bible verse or poem, then recite to each other
83. draw secret names, do something nice for that person
84. ring around the rosie
85. hokey pokey
86. duck, duck, goose
87. nerf dart war
88. nerf ball bowling
89. kitchen science experiments, like a vinegar & baking soda volcano
90. holiday crafts (there is always a holiday around the corner, and starting early on your crafts never hurts!)
91. let the kids frame some photos for their room
92. skype or facetime someone
93. write birthdays on a calendar
94. laminate photos and draw silly mustaches on them with a dry erase marker (or use a plastic page protector)
95. jelly bean portrait (have you seen the portraits at the Jelly Belly factory?)
96. play house (classic)
97. do homework (sometimes when I didn't have homework, my dad would make something up for me to work on)
98. build something with pvc (playhouse, greenhouse, ballet barre, hurdles, doll beds, kid size chairs)
99. sort toys to donate
100. get out of your house - sometimes, just getting out and changing the scenery will appease the kids (and you).  If the weather is not too bad to drive in, look for an indoor attraction like a museum, kids gym, indoor playground, bounce house place or even a mall with a playground.

**Bonus:  You might already know that Pinterest is like, the most amazing website.  You can find science experiments, arts & crafts projects, learning worksheets and just about everything else under the sun.  You can follow Farming in Flip Flops here or my personal account here.