Things To Do With Kids: Eight Creative Indoor Games And Activities To Play At Home

During any school holiday, finding things to do with kids that are enjoyable for everyone and don't cost a bomb can be a challenge.

Rather than relying on the sun to be out (because let's be honest, when can we ever do that in England?), we've rounded up some ideas for indoor fun from Pinterest.

Some of the ideas involve a bit of DIY as well as the game itself, so you can get creative with your kids as well as playing.

1. Ball Toss

All you need is five large(ish) containers labelled with different point scores. Arrange the containers in a line or pattern that's as easy or as hard as you wish.

Ping pong balls will work best to throw into the containers, but if you're looking for alternatives, try small bean bags or socks tied up together.

2. Target Golf

To create your target golf game you'll need a large cardboard box - search the house for old shoeboxes or large cereal boxes, then cut out slots big enough for the balls to be hit in.

Remember to label the points on each hole, then add them up at the end.

3. Balloon Ping Pong

Luckily, no damage will be done to the house with this game. You'll need a balloon, paper plates (or cardboard cut out in a circle) and sticks to create handles.

How long can you keep the balloon afloat before it touches the floor?

4. Ring Toss

Cut out the inside of paper plates - or make your own rings from cardboard - to toss onto the toilet roll.

You'll need a few empty toilet rolls stuck to a flat base so they don't fall over. Find out how far your kids can step away from the base and still get the ring on.

5. Balloon Volleyball

Possibly the easiest game to set up - you simply need a balloon and a piece of string that is tied between two chairs to make the "net". In true volleyball style, teach your kids to use two hands to bat the balloon over the string.

6. Target Rolling

This one takes a bit of concentration. Use masking tape (or string) to mark out a circular target flat on the floor. Everyone takes turns to roll a ball into the target, trying to aim for bullseye.

7. The 'I'm Bored' Jar

This is the gift that keeps on giving. You'll need a large jar, tin or container of any sort and lots of coloured paper.

Come up with a list of things your kids could do when they're "bored" at home. Ideas could include going to the park, watching a movie, playing in the garden, writing a letter, calling up friends, etc.

While making the jar is an indoor activity, remember the things you list on the paper can happen anywhere and be as creative as you like.

Cut the list up, fold up each idea and pop it into the jar.

Keep it for all weekends and school holidays - it might become a bit of a lifesaver.

8. Sailor Boat

Are you feeling a bit more creative? Use unwanted cardboard boxes to put together a real-life play boat (or whatever scene they wish).

Bring together other craft materials including paint, tissue paper, pens and wooden sticks to decorate your own boat.

And then let them sail off.

You can find even more inspiration for indoor games here.

Before You Go

Boredom Banishing Ideas For Creative Kids

Paper chains(01 of05)

Making paper chains is a great activity to do with young children. All you need is some brightly coloured A4 paper, a pair of scissors and some glue. Start by cutting the paper into strips (a width of about 2cm is perfect) and then create a loop with the paper, sticking it with glue on one side. Once it’s dry, feed the next strip through the loop and glue the end of that one too. Keep going until you have you desired length of chain. You could even think about drawing your own designs on the paper before you cut them up. (credit:D. Sharon Pruitt Pink Sherbet Photography via Getty Images)

Potato print making(02 of05)

Potato print making or relief printing, to give it its proper name is a brilliantly cheap and effective way of creating artwork. Grab a selection of potatoes (big or small and any type) and cut them in half. Then draw on your design to the flat surface of the potato and carefully cut round the shape. A good tip is to blot the potato with some kitchen roll, so it’s not too wet. Next, choose your colours (poster paints work well). Paint on a very thin layer and print onto the paper to make your own homemade birthday cards or wrapping paper. (credit:Michaela Gunter via Getty Images)

Decorated biscuits(03 of05)

Everyone loves a homemade biscuit, especially when it has your own design iced onto it. First up, there’s the baking (a light butter biscuit is ideal). They can be any shape you like round, heart or even star-shaped. Then it’s time for the icing, make up a thick, glossy paste with icing sugar and water and split the mixture evenly into different bowls, mixing a different gel food colour into each one. Scoop the icing into separate piping bags and you’re ready to go. Don’t forget to wear an apron. (credit:Donald Iain Smith via Getty Images)

Homemade glitter globes(04 of05)

Glitter globes are a lovely idea to try out with children. There’s a few things you’ll need before you begin, a couple of empty glass jars with lids (make sure you wash them out first), a tube of glitter, some strong glue, a jug of water and a figurine of your choice. Open up the jar and glue your figurine to the lid (make sure its stuck fast), then fill up the jar with water and shake in your glitter (you can add a few teaspoons of glycerine if you want the glitter to shake better, but that is optional), then just screw on the lid. To make a really personal gift you could laminate a photo of yourself or a loved one and pop that in the jar instead of a figurine. (credit:Flickr CC-BY Amy Gizienski)

Bunting(05 of05)

A variation on the paper chain idea is making bunting. Start by getting colourful or patterned paper and folding it in half, this way the design will be on both sides. Then cut out a cardboard triangle template so all of your bunting will be the same size. Carefully cut out all the triangles you need from the paper (they will look like a diamond shape if you open them out fully). Then lay out a length of string. Open up the triangle and hang it over the string and dot a little bit of glue at the point of the triangle, so it stays together. It’s a simple but effective decoration. (credit:journeyswithasimplegirl ~ Angela Hendrix Petry via Getty Images)

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Before You Go

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