Fun activities for kids at home to keep them entertained
2020 hasn’t been the best year. The world is in a global pandemic and most of it is in full lockdown. Now that winter and cold weather is here, the one thing that is on our minds is if we are going to lose our minds spending the next at least 3 months at home. But, if you think it is bad for you, just think about all the kids and all the working moms. Well, because they have been on our minds lately, we decided to give them a few fun and creative ideas for activities for kids at home, which are going to keep them entertained for hours. What’s more, we have a little something for kids of all ages. So, keep reading to find a few DIYs for interesting games even you can play with your children.
Let’s start off with one of the most entertaining things you can DIY at home – slime
In this article
How to make slime?
Supplies:
- 4 oz. bottle of Elmer’s glue
- 1-2 cups shaving cream
- 2 tbsp contact saline solution or laundry detergent
This 3-ingredient fluffy slime recipe is so easy
Instructions:
- In a bowl mix the glue with food coloring if you are using it. Then, add the saline solution or liquid laundry detergent and mix until fully combined.
- Gradually add the shaving cream. The more you add, the thicker the slime gets, so use according to your own preference.
- Keep stirring, then start kneading the slime with your hands. Knead until it is no longer sticky.
Trust us, slime will keep your kids entertained for hours
Source: I Heart Nap Time
Another DIY for a fun material your kids can play with – play dough
How to make play dough?
Supplies:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 packet Kool-Aid
- 1/4 cup salt
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions:
- In a bowl mix the flour, Kool-Aid and salt.
- Boil the water with the oil.
- Gradually add the water to the dry ingredients, while stirring. Keep mixing and adding water, kneading the dough until it has the same consistency as play dough.
Source: The 36th Avenue
Fun dice game you can play with your kids
Fun activities for kids at home
All you need to play this game is six dice and the template below, which you can download and print out. The game is also really easy to play. You just have to roll the six dice and score different combinations. You can keep the score from the first try or you can re-roll the dice for better combinations. Read the instructions in full on the template.
Download the instructions and scoring chart and print it out
Source: It’s Always Autumn
Awesome dollhouse you can actually DIY
What to do on a rainy day?
Supplies:
- 12 x 12-inch square cardboard pieces (for one room you are going to need 5 pieces)
- gift wrap in different patterns
- utility knife
- ruler
- duct tape
- glue stick
- dolls and toy furniture for decoration
Create this dollhouse with just a few craft supplies
Instructions:
- Glue gift wrap to the cardboard to serve as wallpaper for the room.
- Arrange the cardboard pieces as a box and secure with duct tape.
- Arrange the structure to your preference and once again secure with duct tape.
- Now the fun begins. “Furnish” the rooms, or have a separate “apartment” for each doll.
An easy to make dollhouse
Source: Today’s Parent
Create an outdoor cinema experience with a box car
Fun things to do at home
Supplies:
- cardboard box
- acrylic paint
- 4 paper plates
- glue
- basket
- bulldog clips
- candy
Instructions:
- Cut a square out of the cardboard box as shown in the photo and paint it in a desired color. Let dry.
- Paint the paper plates in silver and black and glue them to the sides for wheels.
- Use clips to attach a basket for snacks.
- Put on a good movie and let your kids enjoy their outdoor cinema experience.
Source: Today’s Parents
Let your kids express their architectural creativeness flow
Fun things to do with kids
Supplies:
- craft sticks, painted in different colors
- binder clips
- clothespins
With just three items you can keep your family entertained for hours
Have a competition for which bridge is going to hold the most weight
Or you can have a competition on who is going to build the tallest tower
Source: Frugal Fun 4 Boys
Creative time capsule to open in 10 years
Indoor activities for kids
Supplies:
- small cardboard box
- tissue paper, cut into squares
- Mod Podge
- foam paint brush
- letter and number stickers
Instructions:
- Use the foam paint brush and Mod Podge to glue the tissue paper squares to the box. Let dry.
- Add the stickers to the lid of the box and coat with glue. Let dry.
- Let your kids fill the time capsule with things they choose and seal it. Stash it away and remember to record your kids’ reactions when they open it in ten years.
Source: Today’s Parent
No-mess way to paint
Activities for toddlers at home
Supplies:
For the “paint”
- 1 cup flour
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp salt
- food dye
Other:
- large ziploc bag
- cardstock
- tape
Instructions:
- In a pot over low heat whisk together the flour, water and salt until a smooth consistency is achieved.
- Separate into different bowls and add the food dye.
- Cut the cardstock so it fits the width of the bag, but doesn’t cover the whole length.
- Start adding a spoonful of each paint to the cardstock without touching the bag as shown in the photo above.
- Line up the colors, close the bag and fold over the extra ziploc space and tape it down
Let your kids have fun with the colors without making a mess
Source: Powerful Mothering
Fun idea for target practice
Fun activities for kids at home
Supplies:
- cardboard box
- styrofoam cups
- string
- soft ball
- scissors
- permanent marker
- packing tape
Instructions:
- Cut the top of the box as shown in the photo above.
- Slice the top of the styrofoam cup, insert the string and tie it on the inside. Secure with packing tape.
- Use the permanent marker to add numbers to the cup, which is going to help you keep score – each cup will have a different number value.
- Cut small slits into the front top of the box and pull the cups with the strings through them. Tie the strings on the top of the box and once again you can secure with tape. You can tie them at various length so it is more difficult.
- Finally, just give the ball to your kid and watch how much fun they are going to have.
Source: Toddler Approved
DIY mini foosball table
How to make a mini foosball table?
Supplies:
- small wooden dowels
- shoebox
- clothespins
- marker
- ruler
- utility knife
- hot glue gun
- spraypaint
- wrapping paper
- tape
- ping pong balls
Instructions:
- Arrange the clothespins on the dowels in the way you want the “players” to be arranged.
- Place the dowels on the outside of the box to measure where to insert them as shown in the photo below. The clothespins need to be able to move without touching the bottom of the box.Mark the spots with a pencil and poke a hole with the knife.
- Insert the dowel through the whole and poke the hole on the box on the other end.
- Remove the dowels and cover the box with wrapping paper. Paint the dowels and clothespins in two different colors for each “team”.
- Cut out the “goal” on each end of the box.
- Insert the dowels back in the box and add the clothespins, gluing them to the dowels.
- Drop a ping pong ball inside and you are all set.
Source: U-Create Crafts
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