Try these 12 indoor fun family activities to end the rainy-day blues or long summer break, and enjoy your family time more.
Summertime means more fun family time
It’s only June, and I’m tired of playing outside with my kids.
We live in South Carolina. It is hot. Outside activities means sunscreen, snacks, sweat, kids complaining, grumpy mom…
Summertime is awesome. But we can’t always be outside.
I love the extra family time in the summer – but with 4 little kids, I needed some indoor ideas. (And hopefully… free ideas.)
So today, I want to share 12 ideas to get your family bonding, keep the kids busy, and have some family fun together… indoors.
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Every mom needs some indoor family games in her back pocket
My goal today is not to make you responsible for entertaining your kids all summer.
That’s not a mom’s job!
Instead, my goal is to help you enjoy the summer break, avoid the heat, and crush the “I’m bored” that you’ll eventually hear from your kids.
I want you to enjoy your family this summer – just like I enjoy my family time more with some fun indoor activities in my back pocket!
GO DEEPER with family time using my devotional workbook Building A Home Of Godliness And Joy.
12 quirky ideas for indoor family fun
Whether you’re tired of the rainy day blues or the no-school summer break, try out these ideas and get some creative juices flowing to keep your kids entertained in meaningful ways.
(1) create your own coloring book.
Several times a week, my kids ask me to go online and print them some coloring sheets. It’s fun – and even more fun on days we draw our own outlines, and then color them in together.
(2) Use blue painter’s tape on the floor to create a maze.
Don’t ruin your floors… but this is so fun and easy! Your kids can make their own mazes too. You could add obstacles or do a race. Get creative.
(3) Hide Lego pieces and have a scavenger hunt.
Or any variation on this. Scavenger hunts are easy, fun, and they can be as big or small as you want.
Do your kids have a Noah’s Ark play toy? Hide the animals and go on a safari. Does your daughter have a bunch of dolls? Hide them and send the pirates/army men/stuffed tiger on a rescue mission.
(4) Put on a fashion show.
Even when you have only sons, silly outfits and funny music is always fun. Put on some runway music and have prizes for silly things: the most colorful outfit, silliest outfit, most creative use of a bandana, whatever.
(5) Do a family read-aloud.
Pick out a favorite book and read out loud to the kids. This could be a great daily activity! Or set a time, read during snack time, or while they’re cleaning up.
(6) write your own book of jokes.
My triplets are 6, and they just love making up jokes. Sure, 99% of them make no sense, but they sure are cute. And they have a ton of fun.
(7) learn about a different culture together.
This activity can be fun and meaningful. You could learn the old fashioned way (you know… with books) or do some online searching, or even ask your favorite AI app. And then, use the knowledge! Cook a traditional meal or learn some of the language.
(8) have a pillow fight.
A stuffed animal fight works too! For kids of any age… you never really get too old for blanket forts, blowing bubbles, or pillow fights.
(9) have a snowball fight.
Yes. Okay, it makes a little mess. But you can use cotton balls, or ball up pieces of paper, or even blow bubbles at each other. Fun! Maybe come up with a creative clean-up game too, with prizes or a competition.
(10) make a time capsule together.
This is a great way to spark conversation and share memories. Pull out some favorite toys, books, photos, or other unique things. Share with each other. Maybe write a letter to your future self.
(11) have your kids make a "how to" video teaching their favorite activity.
Or maybe it’s a family activity! Kids love to see themselves on camera. My 6-year-old daughter loves to bake with me a pretend we’re making a baking podcast.
(12) have a dance party.
In the kitchen. Or the living room. Or anywhere! Try a playlist of everyone’s favorites, or just go crazy with it.
It won't be perfect... but have fun with your family!
I hope you won’t give in to the temptation (and perhaps to your kids’ whining) to think that “entertainer” is part of your mama job description.
It isn’t!
But we all struggle with mom guilt when our kids are bored, and we all want our kids to enjoy their summer breaks. We want them to be engaged in meaningful activities.
These 12 ideas are not an exhaustive list, but they are meant to get your creative juices flowing!
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