Say Goodbye to Boredom Complaints With These Activities for Kids
No matter the season, keeping kids entertained is an ongoing effort. While summer break is rife with complaints of nothing to do, parents hear the dreaded words "I'm bored" on regular weekdays and weekends all year long.
To avoid temper tantrums, grumpy faces, and folded arms, parents are challenged to come up with ways to keep children busy that go beyond digital devices. Will it always be easy? No, but we're here to help. We rounded up some of the best activities for kids, so they'll never say they're bored again (well, not today, anyway). Whether indoor or outdoor, these budget-friendly ideas are sure to spark imaginations, ignite creativity, and strengthen cognitive skills. Plus, they'll help your kids pass the time while creating positive, long-lasting childhood memories.
From enriching arts and DIY crafts to brain-boosting board games, let this kid-approved list of activities—for preschoolers, tweens, and every age in between—be your handy guide and antidote for dull days. Who knows? Some of these family-friendly activities just might tempt you to get in on the fun.
Build a fort.
What child—or adult, really—doesn't like building forts? Toss kids a few blankets, sheets, and pillows and watch them turn ordinary items into a wondrous haven fueled by their vivid imagination.
Draw a self-portrait.
Put their drawing skills to the test by encouraging your kiddos to create their own masterpiece. Give them paper, crayons, and colored pencils—or maybe even paint, if you're feeling adventurous—and watch their art come to life.
Make paper airplanes.
Nothing gets kids excited like making their own playthings. Paper planes are easy to make and will keep your child flying high all afternoon.
Make papier-mâché.
Put your old newspapers or magazines to use with this tried-and-true craft. Simply provide water and all-purpose flour and watch your child create an eye-catching sculpture.
Make music with pots and pans.
Okay, this activity may not be the quietest, but it will be a major hit with toddlers and preschoolers. Let them play to the beat of their own, er, drum. Just be sure to place the pots and pans in safe areas to avoid any musical mishaps.
Pick pretty flowers.
Gathering flowers from their own backyard can keep little ones busy and expose them to the wonders of nature. To help give them a sense of accomplishment, encourage them to create a bouquet for a pretty dining room centerpiece.
Put on a puppet show.
Let your child put on a performance starring their favorite characters and marvel at their blossoming imaginations. And don't be afraid to take the stage yourself to get some laughs out of 'em!
Put on a shadow puppet show.
What's more fun than a puppet show? A shadow puppet show. Kids can use their hands, toys, and other objects to put on an out-of-this world show. The best part? Their imaginations make this easy activity virtually endless.
Turn a cardboard box into a pirate ship.
Ahoy, matey! Got an old box that needs to be tossed? Put it to use by allowing your kids to turn it into a makeshift pirate ship. Encourage them to decorate it for added nautical flair.
Have a tea party.
Set up your child's finest china, make finger sandwiches, and spruce up the space with frilly linen for a high tea fête. Invite a friend or two and turn it into a full-on playdate. If they're unavailable, simply get her favorite plushies in on the fun.
Make homemade slime.
Invite your science-loving kiddos to make their own slime, which only requires a few simple ingredients (warm water, glue, food coloring, and cornstarch) and a few super easy steps. If properly stored, they can squish and play with it for days to come.
Go on a scavenger hunt.
Print out a list of objects for your little ones to find and let them run wild. The best part? This activity can be done successfully indoors or outdoors. Plus, it helps boost observational and cognitive skills, while encouraging young minds to slow down and pay attention.
Have a dance party.
Simply crank your child's favorite tunes and watch them bust a move! Even tweens and teens won't be able to resist the rhythm.
Teach them how to crochet.
Introduce kids to crocheting and see how quickly they pick up the skill. We bet that in no time, they'll be making scarves, hats, and other items to keep their loved ones cozy.
Put on a magic show.
No need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to keep your kids entertained. Let them show off their magic skills with their own enchanting performance and cheer them on in awe!
Make fun-shaped balloons.
Buy a pack of colorful, long balloons, and let your kids create silly hats and animal shapes out of them. We wouldn't be surprised if this activity keeps them busy and laughing all day long.
Make friendship bracelets.
If your kids are crafty, making a friendship bracelet might become their new favorite hobby. They can customize and design them in countless ways to complement their friends' unique styles.
Make your own trail mix.
Healthy eating should always be a top priority. Promote smart snacking by encouraging your children to make their own trail mix for a tasty activity.
Write in a journal.
Encourage your young ones to write their daily thoughts, dreams, and goals in a journal. This exercise will foster consistency while improving their writing skills. Just remember to respect their privacy and never peek!
Make a mud pie.
Sometimes having fun means getting your hands dirty. Kids will get a kick out of "serving" their best dirt-filled pies to unsuspecting guests.
Play a board game.
Board games are trusty boredom busters. Break out some of the classics, or new ones, for an afternoon of friendly competition, endless laughs, and unforgettable memories.
Make origami.
This Japanese-inspired craft brings all creative kids into the fold. Set them up with colorful paper and watch them transform the plain sheets into animals and other adorable objects.
Search for bugs.
Do you have a child who has a soft spot for insects? If so, let them explore and exercise their inner entomologist by searching for bugs in the backyard. Give them a magnifying glass so they can see the tiny creatures up close and personal.
Practice juggling skills.
If you have an aspiring juggler on your hands, let them show off their skills with round household objects. Who knows? They might just be good enough to take their act on the road one day!
Sing karaoke.
Let the music play! Kids will sing their hearts out as they channel their favorite pop singers during a fun-filled karaoke session. Be sure to provide props to take the fun up a notch.
Play a card game.
Show your hand at ending boredom with a traditional card game. (Get it?) No matter what you play, the game will boost memory, social, and communication skills.
Make fun costumes.
Use empty boxes, old clothes, and other household items to help your child create their own costumes. The wackier, the better! After they're dressed for success, ask them to put on a show wearing their creations.
Write a storybook.
If your youngsters enjoy reading and writing, encourage them to write their own story! This activity gives them the opportunity to develop characters, create a setting, and bring their narrative to life. After this exercise, you just may be the parent of a budding author.
Have a staring contest.
Face off with a fun staring contest. See how long your little ones can stare without blinking in this silly game that tests their stamina and competitive edge.
Identify leaves in the backyard.
Getting out in nature is always a good idea. If your kids enjoy examining plants, flowers, and other vegetation, this activity will leave them feeling fulfilled. To keep the activity going, they can even take some leaves inside to trace.
Play musical chairs.
If you have more than one child under your roof, this classic game will be music to your ears. All you need are chairs, tunes, and their excitement!
Have a backyard picnic.
Picnics always pack in a ton of fun. No matter if you have them in your backyard, at a local park, or even indoors (if the weather isn't cooperating), eating your favorite snacks while sitting on a blanket is simply blissful. Kids will agree.
Pick seasonal fruit.
No matter the season, picking fruit is always a fun way to combine nature, healthy eating, and a good time. Be sure to bring a basket to carry your delicious bounty.
Play a body-bending game.
You won't have to twist their arm to get in on this fun. Put your kids' flexibility and coordination to the test with a game that's physical and funny.
Basket toss.
Who knew that laundry duty could double as a fun "basketball" game? Youngsters can toss their clothes into the hamper for multiple rounds of good, clean fun.
Make a tie-dye T-shirt.
Brighten their day by setting up a tie-dye station. Let them design their own pieces and watch their creativity with color flourish.
Play a game of hide-and-seek.
Some tried-and-true activities never get old—and hide-and-seek is one of them. The centuries-old game is an all-time favorite, and for good reason. Who doesn't like finding perfect hiding places and waiting to be discovered?
Play charades.
Actions speak louder than words—especially when it comes to charades. Your kids will enjoy acting out people, places, and things with this classic guessing game.
Go camping in the backyard.
Escape into "wild" and "rough it" by camping in the backyard. Set up a tent, grab comfy blankets, and watch your child's face light up like the stars and fireflies in the sky. If you have a telescope, bring it out for an even more magical experience.
Make a science project.
If you have science lovers on your hand, pique their interest with a STEM-inspired project. Not sure where to start? Do some quick online research and pick from scores of easy-to-execute experiments that will stimulate their minds and feed their curiosity.
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