Small children are very active and always want to do something new - unfortunately the bad weather sometimes just doesn't allow them to spend their free time in the garden or in the park. Then creativity is required - because the little ones shouldn't get bored indoors and sit in front of the TV. Numerous children's games and craft ideas offer an alternative to outdoor activities - whether alone or with friends - these suggestions are guaranteed to cause a sensation and bring joy. And of course the parents can join in – so it’s really fun. The activities are also suitable for special occasions - for example if the child has a birthday in autumn or winter.
Children's games and craft ideas for indoors - movement games
Small children in particular cannot keep their feet still - they are often very active all day long. In this case, numerous exercise games come to the rescue - they promote motor skills, keep you fit and provide variety. Plus, they always offer a nice opportunity to invite friends home. Several children can play with one hula hoop for hours - for example, build a “tunnel” out of several tires. Another popular game is the so-called “chain through the hoop” – the children hold hands and stand in a circle, one child receives the hula hoop. The goal - all players have to climb through the hoop without breaking the chain.
Idea for bad weather – fishing game
The game of fishing was already popular in the 19th century. The children fish artificial fish from a container using a magnet. Pictured above is the homemade alternative - the fish are sewn from scraps of fabric and a paper clip is attached to each fish. A magnet is glued to a string, the string itself is tied to a stick. The child sits on a chair and tries to catch the fish. Things get more difficult when the fish score different points depending on their color.
Large format thread game
The witch game (also called the thread game) is being redefined. For the skill game, all you need is string in different colors and adhesive tape. Let your creativity run wild and make a “string trap” for the little ones – they will definitely look forward to the challenge. It's best to transform the hallway into a playground - the narrow room is ideal for this purpose. Leave thatChildren playingnever without supervision, there is a risk of suffocation, especially for small children under 4 years of age.
Car racing track in the children's room
A car racing track provides hours of entertainment - you don't have to invest in an expensive toy! Instead, buy cleaning tape - this is an alternative to painter's tape that leaves no marks even after a long time. You can use this to mark the streets and parking spaces for the toy cars on the floor in the children's room, and you can make tunnels and bridges out of cardboard.
Children's games for indoors - make a bowling game
You can make an indoor bowling game in 5 minutes - you need paint, 5 plastic bottles and a tennis ball. Fill the bottles with water, paint the bowling set with the children and your new favorite game in your house is ready. If you have several children, you can organize a competition.
Role-playing games awaken the imagination
Puppet theater is a special experience for children aged 2 and over. Instead of just being spectators, little ones can now play along and let their imaginations run wild. They can play their favorite fairy tales to their parents or bring their own stories to life. Puppet theater increases concentration, develops memory step by step and offers the opportunity to express and process one's own feelings. Young children in particular often lack the ability to express themselves, so puppet shows enable communication through imagery.
Space travel in-house
Role-playing games are particularly popular with children aged 3 and over - they usually re-enact dreams, fairy tales or concrete everyday situations. At the beginning they are simple stories, later they become more complicated. From the age of seven, the games are discussed in advance, the background is determined and the game idea is then further developed. Parents can make it easier for children to get started with role play by using appropriate clothing and props. Pictured above – space travel in-house. The rocket and the helmet are made from packaging cardboard - the DIY project is extremely simple and suitable even for beginners.
Make a pirate telescope out of cardboard rolls
Yo-ho-ho! Especially in bad weather, you can combine a role-playing game with a hide-and-seek game and organize a treasure hunt. Hide pieces of paper with different tasks that the children have to solve, create a map with clues to the next station. To help the pirates find the treasure island more quickly, the right props come to the rescue. A long cardboard roll becomes a telescope. You can also decorate it with colorful craft paper.
Role play with friends
Children prefer to organize role-playing games in pairs - this makes it much easier to make arrangements. In this case, the role of spectator is left to the parents. Plush toys, dollhouses and play tables help the little ones get into their roles.
Children's games and craft ideas in bad weather - role play TV presenter
Make a television out of wrapping paper and offer the children the opportunity to read the news or a bedtime story. Organize a TV show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” in your own living room. This way, the little ones can practice reading in a playful way.
Painting and drawing – painting development in kindergarten age
From the first year onwards, babies begin to consciously leave marks on the dinner table when they eat. At this point you can already offer the first coloring templates - these are usually finger paints and large sheets of paper. Over time, hand-eye coordination slowly increases - the first real images of people and animals are usually created in kindergarten. Great attention is paid to the face, which often expresses feelings. Animals, on the other hand, are usually painted sideways. Especially at this age, parents should provide the little ones with pens and coloring books. We offer you some interesting alternatives to the classic coloring book.
Computer and blackboard in one
The next craft project promotes the creativity of children between 3-6 years old. The computer is made from cardboard and the screen is then painted with chalkboard paint. The children can draw on it with chalk. A very suitable toy for on the go. In the car, for example, the classic Tic-Tac-Toe game provides variety.
Encourage painting by numbers
With a simple painting technique - painting by numbers - children and adults become artists. Create a coloring template yourself using a CD. Use the CD as a stencil on white paper and draw the rainbows shown above. Then have the children paint them with watercolors. You can specify the colors with numbers - this creates stylish color combinations. Optionally, you can create different shades of one color together by gradually diluting the color with water.
Leisure activities for small children – playing with modeling clay
Small children in particular play with dough and like to form simple figures. The playdough is suitable for children up to three years of age - it can be found on the market as a baking mix. First add water and stir well. This creates a plasticine that is ideal for modeling. If desired, the finished figures can then be baked.
Children's games and craft ideas for indoors - magnetic board in the children's room
Painting and modeling are clearly a lot of fun, but they usually leave trails of dirt all over the house. The magnetic board in the children's room is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative leisure activity - there are numerous magnetic games, letters and puzzles to choose from.
Craft idea for toddlers – make your own pasta necklace
Toddlers keep trying to play with food. This is rarely tolerated during lunch, but in the afternoon the child can experiment with food - of course only under supervision. A craft idea that is guaranteed to be a lot of fun is the pasta necklace. It promotes fine motor skills and awakens the imagination. The necessary materials are: pasta in different shapes, twine, wooden beads, rhinestones, watercolor, brushes. First thread the noodles, rhinestones and beads onto the string, then paint them with watercolor. Complete!
DIY mobile house on wheels - transform vans into caravans
Thanks to our inspiring instructions, you would be able to transform your ordinary minibus into a dream mobile home on wheels. If you're a travel and nature lover, then you're probably already excited about the idea of mobile living and the freedom it brings.
While the children discover the world while playing, the parents have to do the time-consuming housework. Of course, the children are allowed to help out - for example, small children can tidy up the lunch table, vacuum and organize the children's room. A clear list of the daily tasks of all family members helps with organization. They can also take part in cooking – and have a say in what is eaten.
Playing with building blocks promotes mathematical skills?
Playing with building blocks trains three-dimensional perception, develops fine motor skills, awakens creativity and at the same time creates space for creative freedom. Scientists from the UK recently conducted a study and found thatPlaying with Legoand similar game pieces promote mathematical skills. It's no wonder that the little ones look forward to it so much - new figures can be built again and again - whether it's an exotic island, towers, ships, individual buildings or even a small city - the possibilities are practically endless.
Building blocks as an all-round talent – build a stacking tower
When it comes to children's games and craft ideas for indoors, building blocks prove to be real all-round talents. Babies enjoy building stacking towers - this trains eye-hand coordination in a playful way. Toddlers build complicated figures. One thing is certain in any case – the game pieces provide pure entertainment in your own four walls. If the weather is bad, a play date can be organized where the friends sit down and have fun together.
Cardboard playhouse
Children also need privacy - a playhouse in the children's room becomes a retreat where they can relax. And in the evening the house can serve as storage space for the children's toys. The craft project is extremely simple and suitable even for craft beginners. All you need is a packing box and painter's tape. Thanks to the simple construction, the playhouse fits harmoniously into the purist or Scandinavian children's room. If desired, it can be painted with watercolors.
Make a dollhouse out of a shoebox
AShoebox dollhouseyou can make it in less than an hour. The example pictured above was transformed into a school using chalkboard paint and mini drawings. Lego minifigures serve as dolls. The space-saving design proves to be extremely practical, especially in small children's rooms.
Shoebox dollhouse for the girl's room
Girls are particularly excited about dollhouses - this version was also made from shoebox and offers a new home for Barbie and Ken. Colorful fabrics were pasted on the sides and bottom to make the design appear more cheerful and inviting.
The third variant for dollhouses can be made in one morning with a little skill. Of course, the little princess can help and have a say in the design of the individual rooms. Colorful fabrics, wrapping paper and felt garland add character to the dollhouse above.
Not only do Barbie and Ken need accommodation, the plush toys can also look forward to a new home in the children's room - the house pictured above is decorated with stamps of animal motifs.
Whether it's movement games with friends, role-playing games with the family, a leisure activity with coloring pages and modeling clay, playing with building blocks or simply relaxing in a homemade playhouse - the possibilities are practically endless and there are no limits to your own imagination. Be inspired by our suggestions and discuss the ideas with the little ones. What is most important is that everyone enjoys crafting and participates enthusiastically in all the games. Because when the weather is bad, the family can enjoy being together, do something together and get to know each other better while playing. Of course, everyone cleans up together afterwards.
