13 Fun Family Indoor Activities to Enjoy at Home on Cooler Days
We're coming to that time of year again where the weather turns chilly and we all start to spend more time indoors. As the days start to noticeably get shorter and energy levels dip, it's easy to lose your mojo for finding fun ways to spend quality time together as a family.
But as summer slides into autumn, boredom and screen time don’t have to take over.
In fact, some of the best family bonding moments can happen when the weather keeps us close to home.
To make your next indoor family day an upbeat one, I’ve put together a list of easy, low-prep games and activities that will keep everyone feeling warm family vibes.
13 Brilliant Ways to Beat Boredom Indoors
Whether you’re in the mood for a quick round of a game, a creative crafting session, or a fun family project, there’s something here for every family to enjoy.
1. Board Games for Bonding
Board games are a fantastic way to bring the family together. They encourage teamwork, healthy competition, and loads of laughter.
Plus, there is something special about gathering around a table, putting devices away, and spending uninterrupted time together.
If you’re looking for ideas on which board games to play, check out this list of boredom-busting board games for family game nights
2. Crafting Together
Crafting is a wonderful way to get creative and enjoy some screen-free time with the kids... even if you aren't a natural crafter it's still fun to experiment!!
Crafting can also be a wonderfully therapeutic way to zone out and relax. There’s something calming about working with your hands, focusing on small creative tasks, and letting your mind wander.
Whether it's painting, sewing, or gluing, crafting helps slow things down and can be a peaceful escape from the usual busyness of family life.
Here are a few simple crafting ideas to get started:
- DIY Paper Creations: All you need is paper and scissors to create beautiful, intricate snowflakes.
- Handmade Christmas Ornaments: Make simple salt dough ornaments to paint and decorate ready for the festive season. One of the most popular posts on my family lifestyle site Mums Make Lists rounds up 79 wonderful DIY bauble ideas.
- Rock Painting: Grab some rocks from the garden and let the kids paint them with fun designs.
- DIY Greeting Cards: Use stamps, stickers, and markers to make cute unique cards for friends and family.
- Toilet Roll Crafts: Turn empty toilet paper rolls into animals, cars, or holiday decorations.
For additional crafting inspiration, I recommend checking out:
- Easy Rock Painting Ideas from Rock Painting 101
- Simple DIY Greeting Card Ideas from Easy Peasy Fun
- Paper craft ideas from Craft Daily including this delightful DIY Pen Holder tutorial...
3. Indoor Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is the perfect activity to get kids moving and thinking, all while staying indoors.
Try out the Indoor treasure hunt bundle in my Big Heart Little Star Shop, which includes riddle-style clues designed for teens but fun for the whole family. It’s easy to set up and keeps everyone entertained while they search for the next clue.
4. Building a Fort
Nothing says fun like building a cosy fort out of blankets, pillows, and whatever else you can find. This activity works best when everyone pitches in—parents and kids working together to create the ultimate fort for movie watching or reading.
Once it's built, maybe settle in with a big snack board of delights and enjoy your fort's beautifully constructed architecture!
And anyhoo... if fort building is good enough for Joey, Chandler and Ross....
5. Boredom Jar Picks
If you don't have a boredom jar for your kids... you NEED a boredom jar!!
In short, you fill the boredom jar with activity ideas for those moments when you need something quick and easy to keep the kids entertained.
If you want the full skinny on board jars and a list of 50 ideas to fill one with... skip over to my guide to putting together a boredom jar or buy the ready-made boredom jar cards set in the shop.
6. Family Talent Show
How about, instead of watching endless talent shows on TV, let each family member showcase their unique (!) talents with a fun, in-home talent show?!
Whether it’s singing, dancing, performing a skit, or even showing off magic tricks, it’s a great way to let everyone shine and have a laugh together.
Maybe don't do the scoring thing if you want to maintain family harmony.
7. Charades or Pictionary
Charades and Pictionary are timeless games that encourage creativity and teamwork. You don’t need much prep—just a few slips of paper with ideas to act out or draw. This one works well for all ages, making it a great option for family bonding.
8. Indoor Bowling
Create a DIY bowling alley in your hallway with plastic cups or empty bottles as pins and a soft ball to knock them over.
It’s an easy setup, and kids love the excitement of trying to bowl strikes indoors!
9. Baking Together
Get the whole family involved in making something sweet, whether it's cookies, cupcakes, or brownies. Let the kids help with mixing, rolling, or cutting out shapes—it doesn’t have to be perfect, just enjoyable!
Plus, the best part? After hanging out in the kitchen and getting creative, everyone gets to tuck into something seriously yummy. It’s a win-win: fun and food all in one!
10. Puzzle Time
Puzzles might feel old-school, but they never go out of style.
Either do as we do every Christmas and tackle a large puzzle together. Set it up so that everyone can dip in and out of over a few days.
Or set up smaller puzzles for younger kids to piece together.
11. DIY Science Experiments
Simple science experiments are fun and also have the added benefit of being educational.
Try making a volcano with baking soda and vinegar or creating “rain” in a jar with water and shaving cream. These activities are not only entertaining but spark curiosity and learning.
The Science Max - 9 Story YouTube channels has so many ideas for fun experiments... that they do on a gigantic scale.
12. Storytelling or Reading Time
Getting kids to read is a massive challenge for many parents today. And is it any wonder when there are screens everywhere that offer instant entertainment without effort?
So, take time during the shorter days of fall and winter to enjoy reading aloud to your kids or to listen to them reading a story to you.
13. Family Dance Party
Now this idea comes to you straight outta lockdown! Who knew that a Kitchen Disco would be a thing?!
You don't have to get all fancy and decorate the room, though you could...
All you have to do is put on some great music and have a family dance! It’s a great way to burn off energy, especially when the kids are feeling cooped up.
Oh and be prepared for kids and especially teens to laugh at your moves.
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