Search results
- Simon Says. Simon Says is a personal favourite that is quick and easy to play with young children. It can also be used as a transition game, to quickly grab the attention of a group of kids.
- Telephone Game. The Telephone Game, also called Broken Telephone, is a game the whole family can play, and it’s also a fun carpet game for the classroom.
- Hide and Seek. A classic childhood game, Hide and Seek can be played outside or inside on rainy days. It’s a cooperative game that requires children to follow simple rules.
- Tag. Also called catchers, Tag is the simplest of the chasing games and can be played with a small or large number of players. There are many benefits of outdoor games and Tag is also a good social skills game.
Mar 21, 2023 · Updated March 21, 2023. Discover our list of parent-tested and approved indoor games for kids. Whether you’re looking for indoor games for kids’ birthday parties or ways to keep your little ones busy on a rainy day, we have your back. With indoor games for children from 2 years and up, there’s something on our list for little kids, teens ...
- Canada
- Mom Loves Best
- Balloon Games –
- Sensory & Sorting Fun Games –
- Tape Games –
- Sock Fun Games –
- Toy Car Games –
- Movement Games –
- Scavenger Hunts & Treasure Hunts –
- Tabletop Games & Board Games –
- Card Games –
- Paper Games –
Keep the Balloon Up
This may be the most absurdly simple of all the indoor games with friends – blow up some balloons, instruct the kids to keep the balloons from touching the floor, and get the party started! Admittedly this can be one of those games that can get a little rambunctious indoors, so move the breakables out of the way before you start this activity.
Balloon Tennis or Balloon Volleyball
String up a divider as a net and see how many times the kids can volley the balloon over the net without it touching the ground. Fly swatters, plastic spatulas or a wooden spoon could work well for the tennis game, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. (This works best with only two children playing for safety reasons.)
Touch-and-Feel Boxes
This is a great indoor game for kids to get them to focus on the sense of touch in a world so focused on the sense of sight. Train their minds to associate information other than just how the object looks. Start by putting interesting objects into containers that a child must reach into and identify by touch. Shoe boxes work well as they can be easily cut with scissors and do not let light through. Making the boxes is part of the fun – have the kids decorate them, just make sure to cut out a...
Sorting
This is another indoor activity for kindergarten readiness that you can easily pull together. When a child plays a sorting game, they are analyzing objects, describing and comparing them and engaging in critical thinking. Start by creating “bins”, which can be as simple as using tape on a level surface. Colors: For younger kids, using colors is the easiest way to start a sorting activity. Try taping down pieces of colored construction paper, then gather objects to match. (LEGO Duplos work wel...
I Spy
I Spy and its variations are wonderful sensory games and activities for young kids to get to know the world around them. For a child who has never played, you can start by picking out a secret object in plain view and say, “I Spy something blue” and see if the kid can guess it correctly. If there are multiple children then they can take turns looking around and guessing. Variations: Limit the number of guesses each child gets. Or, say things like “I Spy something that is a circle.” The diffic...
Balance Beam
This is a more easily set up indoor game than you might think. Using painter’s tape (go gentle on flooring), tape down a line of any length, and test. Challenge your child to follow the line all the way to end. Angles:Try taping down further lines at different angles. Spirals and zig-zags are always fun. This is one of those physical games for kindergarten readiness that is easy to practice. Backwards:Switch up the challenge by having the child walk the tape line backwards or with eyes closed...
Tape Maze
If you’re able to create enough space on the floor, constructing a tape maze can be a super fun indoor activity. Design a simple maze for toddlers or add blind alleys to challenge older kids. Add balls:Can the kids dribble a small ball through the maze without crossing any of the tape lines? Get a timer and mark how long it takes the kids to move the ball through the maze – then challenge them to improve their time. Number maze:This is a good variation for children who are learning number rec...
Design a Driving Course
Again, you’ll need the painter’s tape for this indoor activity. Design a road map on the floor for your kid’s collection of matchbox cars and those other mini vehicles we somehow all accumulate. Get creative and add other pieces to make a street scene or use furniture in the room as obstacles. The kids will have fun driving all over town all day long. Variations:The tape course is limited only by your imagination. Trains could follow train tracks or unicorns could dance on rainbows. Add cardb...
We like the idea of a rolled up ball of socks because you probably have one sitting in that laundry basket next to you, but any of these games could be played with a similar soft object.
Almost everyone has at least a handful of toy cars – like Matchbox or Hot Wheels. My siblings and I could play with these for hours and I have one child who feels the same way.
Charades
If you haven’t played this classic game, then you need to. Right now! This game is all about acting out a word or phrase using no spoken words whatsoever. It can be easily modified for any age group. For full instructions visit here. Animal Charades: Write down, print out or use stickers of different animals depending on the ages of your kids. Cut out each animal, fold in half, and place in a bucket. Begin the game by having the first child choose a piece of paper. The child then acts out the...
Indoor Bowling
You will need a level space indoors to create a “bowling alley” for this game. Collect items to act as pins such as empty water bottles or plastic cups. A small ball works best for indoor bowling; nothing heavy is needed. If there are a lot of kids, make it an indoor team. Variations:Make a bulls-eye on the ground out of masking tape or one on a piece of paper. With each section worth different amounts of points, the kids can take aim and challenge each other. If you’d prefer to get out of th...
Duck, Duck, Goose
If you are looking for an easy but fun indoor game to play with kindergarten and preschool-aged kids, you found it. You’ll need about a minimum of 6 children to play. Choose someone to be the Goose (or Grey Duck); the other kids sit in a circle. The Goose then walks around the circle, tapping each kid on the head and calling, “Duck, duck, duck, duck…” eventually choosing a “goose!” when tapping a child. The old Goose has to run around the circle and try to sit in the vacant spot before the ne...
Scavenger Hunt
If you haven’t done a scavenger hunt lately, then you just aren’t living. Depending on how many items you want the kids to find and how many kids are a part of the game, you can either hand write the lists of items for each child, or type it up on a computer and print out copies. If the items will be in difficult hiding spots, write clues next to each item on the list. The kids will love the adventure and challenge.
Traveling Scavenger Hunt/Car BINGO
A scavenger hunt can be taken on the road rather easily and many attractions (museums and galleries in particular) offer their own versions. I have quick created homemade BINGO sheets for my kids before we hop in for a long car ride and stick in a mix of easy and tougher-to-find objects. I find myself playing right along with them as I drive.
Color & Number Hunts
I try to simplify the hunt for younger children. Instead of writing items on a list they may not be able to read, I mark boxes of color on a white piece of paper and ask the kids to find items around the house to match the colors. As they get older, you can add numbers into the mix if they have a grasp on those. Variation:When we’re out in public waiting in a line we often play a stationary color scavenger hunt game. First kid spots something red, second kid something orange and so on down th...
Dominoes
Another one of those classic games for kids and adults alike. Visit here for instructions on how to play. You don’t even need to buy dominoes, just print them and cut them out!
Domino Chain
Unlike playing the game dominoes, you’ll need to purchase these from a store. This is one of those active games for kids that can go all day on a rainy day. Simply set them up one after the other and tip them over!
Mahjong
Similar in size and shape to Dominoes, Mahjong is another tile game. Like dominoes, you can find printable versions online or pick up a cheap set that will last for years. Find the traditional Mah Jong rules here.
Great card games for families
Kid-friendly card games are an easy way to keep indoor games for kids on hand. While you can buy books with instructions for more game than you’ll ever be able to play, we recommend some of the most popular games for families to start: 1. War: (instructions). (See more ideas for indoor games for 2 players below). 2. Crazy Eights: (instructions) 3. Rat Slap: (instructions) 4. Spoons: (instructions) 5. Llama Drama: (read our review here) 6. Kings Corners: This is our family favorite for the sum...
Paper games – indoor games & activities for kids you can play anywhere
These classic paper games are fun, super portable activities (all you need is a sheet of paper and a pen) and require no set up or clean up. If you are looking for indoor games for just two players, these are always good go-tos. What would you add to this list? 1. Hangman – children do need to know their letters to play this game. You can start with simple, three-letter words to practice spelling skills or increase the challenge for older kids with multiple words or phrases. Give the kids a h...
Master the paper airplane
There are so many great paper airplane designs. Do an internet search for some new folding instructions and see who can make the best-flying airplane. Need some help getting started? 1. Stefania Luca of Non-Toy Gifts published: The Awesome Paper Airplane Book for Kids: Creative Designs and Fun Tear-Out Projects in 2021 2. The Science Museum of Minnesota shares this printable template to make your own Delta airplane.
Tackle a new origami project for some DIY toys
Origami, like paper airplanes, has in inexhaustible supply of online patterns and instructions. Spend an afternoon searching your favorite characters and chances are you’ll find an origami. Here are a few search word ideas we have had good luck with: 1. Grogu/Baby Yoda 2. Pikachu 3. Lucky Box 4. Pac Man 5. Elephant & Piggie
- Tom Kingston
- 3 min
Dec 29, 2023 · Updated December 29, 2023. Our list of classic party games includes simple and fun options for every age group. Classic party games have been the highlight of children’s parties for generations, offering laughter, excitement, and a bit of friendly competition. These games are not only fun but also encourage social interaction and physical activity.
- Canada
- Mom Loves Best
This is a list of games that are played by children. Traditional children's games do not include commercial products such as board games but do include games which require props such as hopscotch or marbles (toys go in List of toys unless the toys are used in multiple games or the single game played is named after the toy; thus "jump rope" is a ...
Nov 13, 2020 · While these are fun, indoor games can also be used to get kids moving, boost social interaction and inspire a love of learning — all from the comfort of home! To help you get started, we put together a list of 41 fun indoor games for kids of all ages. Find your new favorite below!
People also ask
What are indoor games for kids?
What board games should a child learn to play?
What are the best party games for kids?
What games should a 4 year old play?
Marbleous Marvel Coaster. Use your creativity to design your own coaster! Play Now! Join the CyberSquad to fix the Information Super Railway using math skills! Hello Young Adventurers! Join Nature Cat and help bees by collecting nectar, pollinating flowers, and growing your own garden.
