Whether you have one or 10 kids, keeping them busy can be a real challenge, particularly over the holidays. Luckily, with the following 18 entertaining activities to do for kids, you have a range of activities to keep them entertained for a long time!
Indoor activities for kids
In case it’s a rainy day, or you just have a bunch of kids that really don’t like being outside, here we have a number of group and solo indoor activities for kids that are worth checking out.
Group indoor activities for kids
Let’s take a look at some of the best indoor activities for a small group of kids.
Duck, duck, goose
Duck, duck, goose. It’s always a great game to play, not to mention that it’s super easy, too. There are only a couple of rules, groups of three or more kids can play, it doesn’t take much effort and it provides lots of fun. As long as you have a small space where kids can run in circles around each other, it’s a great game to consider, and the kids will burn off some energy, too.
Musical chairs
Speaking of burning off some energy, musical chairs is always another good option. As long as you have enough chairs for all of the kids, minus one, this is another great indoor activity for your kids. Play their favorite songs and have them run around the chairs and claim their own every time the music stops, to see who the last one standing is.
Coloring posters
Coloring posters are like coloring pages except they’re really big, which makes them a wonderful group activity since they give kids the opportunity to express their creativity while collaboratively creating a work of art in a fun way that is non-competitive. We recommend Dekali Designs’ line of giant coloring posters since they are huge (35 x 52″) – big enough for a group of kids to work on together and they have a good amount of detail, which keeps kids entertained for a long time.
A theater production
If you have kids that enjoy art and theater, you could always have them put on a little play or a puppet show. This is something that should keep kids occupied for hours on end, because they can come up with their own little production, storyline, characters and more. Get out your video camera, because this can be pretty entertaining for parents to watch.
Hand shadow painting
As long as there are at least two kids, hand shadow painting is another great indoor activity. One child holds their hand up in front of a light to cast a shadow on the wall, and the other traces the hand. Your kids can then turn that hand silhouette into anything they see fit.
A mock auction
If you happen to have some Monopoly money laying around, or any other such fake cash, doing a mock auction where you auction off random items in your home can be a whole lot of fun, too.
Solo indoor activities for kids
Maybe you have a kid who likes to play alone, or just doesn’t have any siblings. In those cases, these solo indoor activities might be great for them.
Arts and crafts
There are so many different types of arts and crafts, from hand painting to macaroni art, that we aren’t going to get too specific here. The bottom line is that on a rainy day, some arts and crafts can be the perfect solution to keep the boredom at bay.
Build a fort
If you have some spare blankets, pillows, cardboard boxes and anything else of the sort, building an indoor fort or castle can be a lot of fun.
Puzzles
If you have a child who likes solving puzzles and using their brains, then choosing from a variety of puzzles can help pass a rainy afternoon, too.
Outdoor activities for kids
Now that we’ve got the indoors covered, let’s take a look at some of the best outdoor activities for kids.
Group outdoor activities for kids
As long as you have three or more kids, these outdoor group activities should do just fine to keep those little rascals busy.
Scavenger hunt
Hide a variety of random items or prizes, create a map and some instructions, and hide different clues around the area. Sometimes there’s just nothing better than an outdoor scavenger hunt to keep kids occupied and happy. The person who wins the scavenger hunt also gets a great little prize!
Hide and seek
Sometimes there’s just nothing better than a good old game of hide and seek. One person is the seeker and the rest of them hide. It really doesn’t get much simpler than that. It can pass a whole lot of time and it doesn’t cost any money, either.
Water balloon fight
If it’s a hot summer day, then a water balloon fight is something that every kid loves. It involves a whole lot of action, it’s exhilarating and it helps cool them down, too. As long as you don’t mind making a little bit of a mess in your backyard, a water balloon fight is always a great deal of fun.
Build an obstacle course
If you want your kids to be a little more active outdoors, having them build an obstacle course is a neat idea. You can have your kids build the obstacle course, or you can build it yourself, but the point is to have them compete to see who can navigate the obstacles the fastest and with the fewest infractions.
A storytelling circle
If you have some creative kids on your hands, and they don’t like being overly physical, doing a storytelling circle could be a whole lot of fun, too. This way, you get to see just how creative those kids can be.
Solo outdoor activities for kids
If you just have one child who needs to spend some time outdoors, the following activities can help keep them busy.
Paint a rock
Yes, rock art is still a thing. Get some watercolors or even some totally waterproof paints, find rocks that have really neat shapes, and start painting them. You’d be surprised what your kids can come up with.
Fly a kite
If you happen to have a bit of free space, and it’s a windy day, flying a kite can be a lot of fun. There are some pretty cool kites out there, and who knows, maybe your child will want to start a collection.
Sidewalk art
If you live somewhere that has a great sidewalk, getting some sidewalk chalk and having your child make their own work of art can be a fun and creative activity as well.
Solo treasure hunt
If you have a child who likes exploring, looking for clues, and solving mysteries, then setting up a little solo treasure hunt for them can help take away an afternoon of boredom. It will keep your child on their feet, their brain thinking and their little hands busy.
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