Stuck at home with the kids and want to find ways to keep them entertained? We've changed our tune to safe at home now vs. stuck at home, but we still need to find things to keep the girls busy! It is not always easy, especially when children get bored quickly, but there are some fantastic ways to have fun and spend quality time with one another. If you are searching for some ideas on things you can do with the kids while you are at home for an extended period, check out this massive list of 100 activities for kids at home, all of which are sure to keep you and the kids entertained.
1. Paint on a Blank Canvas
Supply the kids with blank canvases and paint. Let them paint anything their hearts desire. If you're looking for a great easel that we DIY'd, click here!
2. Complete Crossword Puzzles
Print crossword puzzles from online websites and complete them together as a family.
3. Watch a Family-Friendly Movie
Pick out a fun family-friendly movie to watch, such as Frozen 2 or Toy Story 4, both of which are available on Disney+.
4. Go on an Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Plan out a scavenger hunt for the children. Have them look for different things, such as pennies, chocolates, and other items that you have hidden throughout the home. If you're looking for an outdoor scavenger hunt, click here!
5. Put on a Play
Work together with the children to put on a play. Let the kids pick the theme.
6. Start an Ant Farm
If you have a clear plastic container with a lid, poke holes in the lid, add some crumbs of food inside the container, and put ants in it. Let the kids watch the ants as they move all around.
this ant farm looks super fun!
7. Create a Window Mosaic
Apply tape to the windows in different directions. Use washable paint in different colors for the different shapes that you have created. Peel the tape off and enjoy the unique mosaic created by the kids.
8. Play a Board Game
Pull out some of your favorite board games, sit at the dining room table, and have a blast playing them.
9. Complete a Science Experiment
Look online for kid-friendly science experiments that you can do. Many of these experiments can be completed with household items, such as baking soda and vinegar.
10. Play Hide and Go Seek
Bring back your own childhood memories by playing a game of hiding and seek with the children.
11. Play House
Encourage the children to play a game of house. Let them be the adults and you can be the child while playing.
12. Bake Cookies, Cupcakes or Rice Crispy Treats
Pull out the cake mix or cookie dough and start baking tasty treats with the children. Let them help with mixing ingredients and adding toppings.
waiting for her cookies to be done!
13. Make Slime
Kids love slime. You can make it with eye drops and glue, along with food coloring and glitter to give it a unique appearance.
14. Use Magnetic Tiles on Your Garage Door
They actually stick to the garage door! We love these ones!
15. Write a Short Story
Have each child write a short story. Read the stories to one another when everyone is done.
16. Do a Seek and Find
Look online for different seek and find games to do with the children.
17. Build an Indoor Fort
Have fun building a massive indoor fort complete with pillows, blankets, and all the extras.
18. Start a Garden in the Yard
If you have space in your backyard, consider starting a garden. Get the children to help with planting assorted seeds and watering the plants each day.
19. Make Dinner Together
Prepare dinner with one another. Let the kids pick the meal to make.
20. Color in a Coloring Book
Pull out the coloring books and start coloring with crayons or markers. It is relaxing and fun.
21. Take Silly Photos with Props
Snap selfies while using props, such as hats, scarves, and other accessories.
22. Tell a Silly Story
Start telling a silly story to the children and make things up as you go along to get a lot of laughs.
23. Attempt to Build a House with a Deck of Cards
Work strategically with the children to build a house while using a deck of cards. It is tricky and time-consuming, but lots of fun.
24. Make and Use Foam Paint
Create foam paint with shaving cream and food coloring. Use it on the table or even in the bathtub.
25. Have a Tea Party with Treats
Prepare a tea party with tea in teacups and treats, such as cucumber sandwiches and cookies.
26. Do Yoga
Get the children to stretch and relax while doing some therapeutic yoga for beginners.
27. Play with a Hula Hoop
Teach your children how to use a hula hoop and then have a competition to see who has the best skills.
28. Put a Puzzle Together
Take the time to do a big puzzle with at least a thousand pieces.
29. Dance to Music
Put some of your favorite songs on and start dancing around with the kids.
30. Do an Aerobic Workout
Put on your favorite aerobic workout and get your children to complete the workout with you.
31. Play an Educational Computer Game
Let the children play educational computer games. ABC Mouse offers a lot of great learning games for kids.
32. Make Leaf Paintings
Collect leaves and then paint with them on construction paper or a blank canvas.
33. Decorate Pictures Frames
Take old picture frames and paint them. Glue embellishments on them, such as sequins and gemstones.
34. Teach Your Kids How to Sew
If you know how to sew, give the kids a lesson on how to do it or check out some YouTube tutorials!
35. Make Homemade Healthy Ice Cream
Make homemade healthy ice cream using mashed bananas, almond milk, and cocoa powder. Your children will enjoy the prep process, along with eating the ice cream when it is ready.
36. Make Your Own Pizza
Prepare a tasty pizza. Let the children add their own toppings, such as pepperoni and sausage.
37. Have a Karaoke Night
Put on the music and do karaoke with the children. Consider using Kidz Bop to avoid the explicit language in some songs.
38. Play a Game of Charades
Share a lot of laughs while playing a game of charades. You would need to guess what the other person is attempting to be or do.
39. Have a Water Balloon Fight
Let things get a little messy. Fill up some balloons with water and go to war with the kids.
40. Make Bracelets and Necklaces with Beads
Start making bracelets and necklaces using string and beads. The girls love doing this and can't enough. We love this kit from Amazon!
41. Take a Virtual Tour of Space
Go online and let your children take a virtual tour of space. They can learn more about the planets and stars.
42. Make Your Own Instruments
Create instruments using items you have in the home, such as filling plastic cups with rice, covering them with plastic wrap, and sealing them with rubber bands.
43. Build a Castle with Popsicle Sticks
Use popsicle sticks to attempt to build a castle with the kids.
44. Make Decorations with Dough
Create decorative pieces with dough and then bake the dough in the oven.
45. Paint Rocks
Collect rocks and then paint them with assorted colors and designs.
46. Make Fish with Paper Plates
Create your own fish using paper plates, construction paper, and paint. Hang them up when you have finished.
47. Have a Water Gun Fight
Load up the water guns and go on to have an epic water gun fight in the yard.
48. Look Through a Magazine Together
Grab a kid-friendly magazine and start reading through it together. Highlights Magazine is a great option for children.
49. Make an Obstacle Course in the Backyard
Put an obstacle course together and then have the children compete with one another to see who will get through it the fastest.
50. Complete a Color by Number or Paint by Number Project
Purchase and then complete paint by number and color by number sets. Choose from different pictures, including images of flowers, animals, and farmhouses.
51. Make Colorful Masks
Work on creating colorful masks with the kids. You can make masks using mini paper plates.
52. Make Your Own Body Scrub
Show the kids how to make a body scrub using essential oils and brown sugar. Click here to check out a recipe I made up!
53. Have a Spa Day
Plan a spa day that consists of pedicures, face masks, and manicures.
54. Make Lemonade
Show the kids how to make freshly-squeezed lemonade. Let them help with squeezing lemons and adding sugar to the water.
55. Play Soccer in the Backyard
If you have a ball, play soccer with the kids in the backyard.
56. Take a Virtual Tour of the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo allows individuals to take a virtual tour of the exhibits online. You do not even need to leave the house to see these animals.
57. Repurpose an Old Piece of Furniture
Have the kids help you repurpose an old piece of furniture, such as a table that you want to paint and use for something else.
58. Make Decorations for the Windows of the Home
Work on making decorations to put in the windows of your home.
59. Organize the Bedroom
Help one another organize the bedrooms. Pick up toys and put them in the right spots.
60. Play a Game of Go Fish with a Deck of Cards
Keep it simple with a classic game of Go Fish.
61. Play a Video Game Together
If you do not mind video games, play one or two together for an hour or so.
62. Make Frozen Ice Treats
Create ice treats by adding juice to cups and placing them in the freezer for the kids to eat later.
63. Watch Episodes of Fuller House
Sit down and watch some television together. Fuller House is a great family-friendly show.
64. Have a Math Competition
Host a fun and friendly math competition between the kids.
65. Make a Movie Theater at Home
Create a movie theater environment inside the home using a projector and put on a good movie to watch with the kids.
66. Teach the Kids Old Nursery Rhymes
Teach your children some of the old nursery rhymes you used to hear when you were their age and younger.
67. Have a Picnic in the Backyard
Put a picnic together in the backyard. Place a blanket on the grass and eat as a family.
68. Make Frozen Yogurt Bites
Show your children how to make frozen yogurt bites. Add sprinkles or mini chocolate chips to make the bites more enjoyable.
69. Wash the Car
Get the kids to help you wash the car and get it sparkling clean.
70. Clean Out the Garage
When you are stuck at home, it is the best time to clean out the garage with help from the kids.
71. Make Blessing Bags for the Homeless
Put blessing bags together for the homeless. Fill storage bags up with crackers, tissues, hand sanitizer, peanuts, and other items.
72. Gather Toys to Donate to Children in Need
Have the children go through their belongings and pick items they can donate to other children.
73. Make Hot Chocolate
Show the kids how to make hot chocolate. Let them add items to their cups, such as marshmallows.
74. Prepare Frozen Dipped Bananas
Dip bananas in melting chocolate and freeze them for a tasty treat.
75. Take a Virtual Tour of the Boston’s Children Museum
Get your kids excited for a tour of the Boston’s Children Museum. The virtual tour is just as exciting as being there in person.
76. Complete Age-Appropriate Cut and Paste Printables
Print out some cut and paste activities for the children to do.
77. Make a Dream Catcher
Work with the kids to make dream catchers with yarn, wire, and feathers.
78. Listen to a Family-Friendly Podcast
Find a good podcast to listen to with the children.
79. Build with Legos or Blocks
Try building something neat with the kids using legos or blocks.
80. Play the Question Game
Play the question game where each person asks the other person next to them a question.
81. Make Sock Puppets
Create fun sock puppets with old socks and different embellishments, including stickers and googly eyes.
82. Give the Dog a Bath
Having the kids at home means having helping hands to assist with bathing the dog.
83. Play Hopscotch in the Yard
Use chalk to create a hopscotch area for you and the kids to use.
84. Make Your Own Bowling Game
Create a bowling game using plastic bottles and a small plastic ball. Have fun bowling with the children.
85. Turn a Plate into a Planet
Have your children pick a planet to paint. Supply them with plates and paint for them to use to transform their plate into a planet.
86. Listen to an Audio Book
Put an audiobook on for your children to listen to while you sit and relax.
87. Create a Scrapbook
Put a scrapbook together that consists of some of your favorite photos.
88. Try Making Origami
Watch tutorials and then attempt to do origami with the kids.
89. Take Unique Photos and Print Them Out
Let the kids take some fun photos around the house, print them out, and frame them.
90. Create an At-Home Library
Set up a library for the kids and play pretend with them. Let them take out books and return them like they would in a library.
91. Make a Fun Fruit Salad
Get the children together to help with chopping fruit for a fun fruit salad.
92. Turn Old Cans Into Pencil Holders
Peel the labels off of old cans and then paint them. You can use them as pencil holders.
93. Decorate Mason Jars
If you have any old mason jars, wash them and let the children decorate them with paint or markers.
94. Play Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Play a game of pin the tail on the donkey with the kids.
95. Color Hair With Non-Permanent Hair Color
If you have a semi-permanent dye available, you can add color to each child’s hair. The color washes out over time.
96. Make a Sand Bottle
If you have old plastic beverage bottles, help the children make sand bottles using funnels and different types of sand in various colors.
97. Create Paper Chains
Teach your children the art of making paper chains. Let them hang the paper chains in their rooms when they finish.
98. Prepare Baked Fruit Chips
Make healthy chips by cutting up fruits, such as bananas and strawberries, and placing them in the oven to bake until they are crisp and ready to eat.
99. Repurpose an Old T-Shirt
Take old t-shirts and repurpose them by turning them into something else. You can use YouTube to get ideas on how to transform old t-shirts with the kids.
100. Recreate Scenes From Movies
Have your children recreate scenes from their favorite movies while putting on a performance for you.
Now that you have this list of 100 ideas of things to do with your kids while you are stuck at home, you will have plenty to do to keep yourself and your children busy and entertained. The great thing about these ideas is that most of them will cost you absolutely nothing. You will get to make memories with your children while having a genuinely good time together.
Thanks for reading and let me know what your go to activities to do at home are!
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Hi Chelsee! I have been desperately looking for activities for my little man because he hates being stuck at home. I have been bookmarking pages like this to keep us sane. Thank you for sharing your ideas.