Fun activities for kids at home to keep them entertained

by John Griffith
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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

how to make fluffy slime step by step diy tutorial what to do on a rainy day three ingredients purple pink slime

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

how to make slime step by step diy tutorial what to do on a rainy day photo collage with instructions

Instructions:

  1. 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.
  2. Gradually add the shaving cream. The more you add, the thicker the slime gets, so use according to your own preference.
  3. 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

purple and pink slime mixed together what to do on a rainy day how to make fluffy slime step by step diy tutorial

Source: I Heart Nap Time

Another DIY for a fun material your kids can play with – play dough

how to make play dough with kool aid things to do with kids at home six plastic cups with blue pink yellow green red orange dough on white surface

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:

  1. In a bowl mix the flour, Kool-Aid and salt.
  2. Boil the water with the oil.
  3. 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

six orange dice with blue dots fun things to do with kids paper with the rules of the dice game written on it

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

the dice game instructions written on large piece of paper fun things to do with kids placed on wooden surface

Source: It’s Always Autumn

Awesome dollhouse you can actually DIY

activities for toddlers at home five carton boxes built together as a doll house decorated with craft paper and mini furniture and dolls

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

supplies for step by step diy tutorial activities for toddlers at home how to build a dollhouse

Instructions:

  1. Glue gift wrap to the cardboard to serve as wallpaper for the room.
  2. Arrange the cardboard pieces as a box and secure with duct tape.
  3. Arrange the structure to your preference and once again secure with duct tape.
  4. Now the fun begins. “Furnish” the rooms, or have a separate “apartment” for each doll.

An easy to make dollhouse

carton box with pink tape placed on blue surface activities for toddlers at home how to build a dollhouse step by step diy tutorial

Source: Today’s Parent

Create an outdoor cinema experience with a box car

car made out of box painted in blue with paper plates for wheels craft ideas for kids basket with candy attached to the side

Fun things to do at home

Supplies:

  • cardboard box
  • acrylic paint
  • 4 paper plates
  • glue
  • basket
  • bulldog clips
  • candy

Instructions:

  1. Cut a square out of the cardboard box as shown in the photo and paint it in a desired color. Let dry.
  2. Paint the paper plates in silver and black and glue them to the sides for wheels.
  3. Use clips to attach a basket for snacks.
  4. Put on a good movie and let your kids enjoy their outdoor cinema experience.

supplies for step by step diy tutorial craft ideas for kids box glue paint paper plates scissors paint brushes

Source: Today’s Parents

Let your kids express their architectural creativeness flow

boy standing next to tower built out of clothespins and popsicle sticks craft ideas for kids in different colors

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

plastic container filled with clothespins fun things to do with kids popsicle sticks painted in different colors

Have a competition for which bridge is going to hold the most weight

fun things to do with kids bridge built out of popsicle stickes painted in different colors on wooden blocks

Or you can have a competition on who is going to build the tallest tower

tower built out of popsicle sticks in purple orange red yellow green blue clothespins fun things to do with kids

Source: Frugal Fun 4 Boys

Creative time capsule to open in 10 years

fun activities for kids at home how to make a time capsule carton box decorated in different colors on blue background

Indoor activities for kids

Supplies:

  • small cardboard box
  • tissue paper, cut into squares
  • Mod Podge
  • foam paint brush
  • letter and number stickers

how to make a time capsule art and craft ideas for kids step by step diy tutorial carton box decorated with paper confetti

Instructions:

  1. Use the foam paint brush and Mod Podge to glue the tissue paper squares to the box. Let dry.
  2. Add the stickers to the lid of the box and coat with glue. Let dry.
  3. 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.

open in 2030 written on top of decorated carton box filled with memories art and craft ideas for kids how to make a time capsule

Source: Today’s Parent

No-mess way to paint

what to do on a rainy day no mess painting bag with paint in all colors of the rainbow placed on white surface

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

ziploc bag with purple and blue paint inside things to do with kids at home lots of bowls next to it with paint in different colors

Instructions:

  1. In a pot over low heat whisk together the flour, water and salt until a smooth consistency is achieved.
  2. Separate into different bowls and add the food dye.
  3. Cut the cardstock so it fits the width of the bag, but doesn’t cover the whole length.
  4. Start adding a spoonful of each paint to the cardstock without touching the bag as shown in the photo above.
  5. Line up the colors, close the bag and fold over the extra ziploc space and tape it down

paint in all colors of the rainbow lined up on the bottom of ziploc bag placed on white surface things to do with kids at home

Let your kids have fun with the colors without making a mess

heart drawn into plastic bag filled with paint in all colors of the rainbow what to do on a rainy day

Source: Powerful Mothering

Fun idea for target practice

kid sitting on the floor throwing small ball at styrofoam cups hanging from carton box art and craft ideas for kids

Fun activities for kids at home

Supplies:

  • cardboard box
  • styrofoam cups
  • string
  • soft ball
  • scissors
  • permanent marker
  • packing tape

art and craft ideas for kids large carton box six styrofoam cups placed on top with numbers scissors and pencil

Instructions:

  1. Cut the top of the box as shown in the photo above.
  2. Slice the top of the styrofoam cup, insert the string and tie it on the inside. Secure with packing tape.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Finally, just give the ball to your kid and watch how much fun they are going to have.

attaching the styrofoam cups to the box art and craft ideas for kids target practice for kids

Source: Toddler Approved

DIY mini foosball table

how to build a mini foosball table with straws and clothespins activities for toddlers at home small golf ball

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

things to do with kids at home supplies for step by step diy tutorial for how to make a mini foosball game

Instructions:

  1. Arrange the clothespins on the dowels in the way you want the “players” to be arranged.
  2. 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.
  3. Insert the dowel through the whole and poke the hole on the box on the other end.
  4. Remove the dowels and cover the box with wrapping paper. Paint the dowels and clothespins in two different colors for each “team”.
  5. Cut out the “goal” on each end of the box.
  6. Insert the dowels back in the box and add the clothespins, gluing them to the dowels.
  7. Drop a ping pong ball inside and you are all set.

photo collage of step by step diy tutorial for how to build a mini foosball game activities for toddlers at home shoe box with wooden sticks inserted in it things to do with kids at home clothespins attached to the sticks

Source: U-Create Crafts

Create your very own “mission impossible” for your kids with some crepe paper and tape

little boy and girl going through a hallway with red crepe paper attached to the walls activities for kids at home activities for kids at home white background lots of fall leaves in brown orange and yellow made as animals boy girl mom dad sitting on white sofa craft ideas for kids mom and son holding an open book

Fight the boredom with our fun, easy and creative DIYs

boy laying on the back of gray sofa wearing red t shirt mustard yellow pants indoor activities for kids

Art and craft ideas for kids to do at home

butterflies bees and lady bugs made out of toilet paper rolls and crepe paper indoor activities for kids white background craft ideas for kids butterflies made out of toilet paper rolls cardstock decorated with buttons googly eyes crafting with paper fun things to do at home round figurines made in yellow green pink blue purple tied with twine family tree drawing activities for kids at home handprints cut out of paper for each family member

Include your kids in your home workouts

fun things to do at home two boys one girl and mom sitting on wooden floor stretching white curtains behind them

three boys one girl sitting around the table drawing fun things to do at home mom at the table in front of laptop

Creative activities for kids at home

girl sitting at a table drawing activities for kids at home lots of craft supplies spread out on the wooden table

girl sitting next to white wooden table drawing with crayons acrylic paint fun things to do at home blue sky with stars and moon girl sitting on the floor in front of desk and cupboard filled with craft supplies fun things to do at home white wooden floor

Cooking with your kids can be a challenging, but fun activity

indoor activities for kids three girls wearing colorful aprons beating egss in white bowls flour on their faces little boy wearing black hoodie standing next to kitchen counter indoor activities for kids six glasses filled with water in different colors mom and daughter singing and dancing in front of brown sofa activities for kids at home white and green throw pillows and blanket white wooden round board turkey drawn on it with handprints indoor activities for kids placed on wooden log slice with pinecones

John Griffith
John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.

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