Indoor Summer Activities
Looking for some fun ways to keep the kids entertained this summer indoors? Here are a few indoor summer activities that the whole family will enjoy!
Hands-On Activities for Kids
Domino Play Day
Dominoes is an ideal game to play with kids, because the rules are simple. Older children can play this game with adults without feeling as though their age puts them at a disadvantage.
Young children can benefit from playing dominoes as they learn to count and to recognize patterns. The Internet is a great resource for finding age appropriate games, along with step-by-step instructions and rules.
Fun Fact about Dominoes
It’s not totally clear when or where the game of dominoes was invented. However, many historians believe the Chinese invented it around 1100 AD.
Laundry Basket Skee Ball
Turn a simple box into a ramp and set up laundry baskets as different targets just like the adult version of this fun game.
No doubt you will find other uses for the pack of ball pit balls too!
*Source: https://frugalfun4boys.com/2015/12/08/laundry-basket-skee-ball-with-ball-pit-balls/
Summer Playtime Activities
Sticky Spider Web
Grab painters tape to construct a sticky spider web in a doorway, hallway or any other narrow space inside your home.
Then allow the kids to rummage through the recycling bin in search for newspapers and other paper items to crumble up and throw at the web for hours of indoor fun.
*Source: https://handsonaswegrow.com/spider-web-halloween/
On Island Time
Jump from island to island! Turn up the music, get moving and let their imagination run wild by creating pretend islands out of pillows scattered on the floor. Don’t fall in the “water” or you will get wet!
*Source: https://handsonaswegrow.com/30-days-to-hands-on-play-pretend-islands/
Cooking in the Kitchen with Kids
Cooking with your kids is a fun activity, which can also be “secretly” educational as well. Let them help you measure out the ingredients and be your sous chef! Here are two family-friendly recipes to whip up in the kitchen with your little ones.
Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey, browned
- 1 can Ro*Tel (mild or hot based on preference)
- 16 ounce package of frozen Tater Tots
- 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Brown meat and add in chopped onion and Ro*Tel.
- Pour meat and onion mixture on the bottom of a greased Crock Pot.
- Mix in Cream of Chicken Soup.
- Top mixture with tater tots to cover the entire top.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours.
- Top with shredded cheese the last 30 minutes.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
*Source: https://www.tammileetips.com/crock-pot-tater-tot-casserole/
Underwater Jell-O Treats
How festive is this dessert for summertime? My 5-year old son’s favorite color is blue, so we used blue Jell-O – but you could improvise with any color! Another trick I tried? Since I am trying to watch his sugar intake, I made a substitution and used the Sugar-Free Jell-O instead. Truthfully, he couldn’t tell a difference in the sugar-free version. I mean…you can’t go wrong with anything that is topped with whipped cream and involves candy!
Ingredients
- 1 box of Blue Jell-O
- Bag of candy fish
- 4 Clear Plastic cups
- Whipped Cream
Instructions
- Make the Jell-O according to the package.
- Divide mixture between the four plastic cups.
- Drop in the candy fish and then place the cups in the refrigerator.
- Allow the Jell-O to set and top with “sea foam” (whipped cream).
*Source: https://www.bombshellbling.com/underwater-jello-treats/
