Parents should encourage children to play outside, but sometimes it is too rainy, too hot or too cold for outdoor adventures. Keeping your kids inside does not need to be a bore; there are a plethora of activities and games to keep your kids entertained on an indoor day. From the standard to the creative to the wacky, indoor activities and games can be fun--and in some cases, educational--for both you and your children.
Board Games
Board games are a standard way to keep kids occupied when they're stuck inside, and these games can also have positive effects on your kids' brain power. Simpler games such as Memory can help boost your children's focus, concentration and recall, while Scrabble can help build vocabulary skills. Other games, like Clue, can develop logic skills, and games such as Monopoly can teach math and strategy. Cranium can boost your kids' creativity levels while encouraging silliness and laughter, and a kids' version of Trivial Pursuit can be simultaneously educational and fun.
Cards
Card games will help your kids pass time indoors. Easier games, such as Go Fish and War, can cater to the younger crowd, while games such as Uno can work for all ages. Card games like rummy and solitaire are suitable for more patient older children. If you are looking to kill a lot of time with a card game, Phase 10 is easy to learn. It's appropriate for ages eight and up, and can sometimes take hours to play.
Social Activities
If you have several children, or are entertaining your kids and their friends, social games can help pass the indoor hours. Charades is a popular social game that encourages creativity and teamwork. Two Truths and a Lie--also known as Two Truths and a Fib--can help children get to know one another better. You can host an impromptu talent contest for your kids, allowing them to show off their unique skills and abilities.
Physical Activities
Physical games may be somewhat complicated indoors, but they can help more energetic kids have fun. Simple games such as Simon Says or Musical Chairs work well for younger children, while Twister can occupy time for older children. The Nintendo Wii features many games that involve physical activity, such as Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and Wii Fit. You can also opt to put on music and let your kids dance away the day.
Other Activities
Some activities will require more planning, but can be just as rewarding. A treasure hunt, for instance, can keep kids going for hours, though creating clues to find the treasure may take some time. You can also help your kids go "camping" indoors by setting up a tent and some sleeping bags in the living room or basement--be ready to serve s'mores and do "flashlight" stories instead of campfire stories. Jigsaw puzzles can also help pass the time for both you and your children.
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