Spending time indoors with energetic kids can be challenging. If you get stuck inside the house or while on holiday due to bad weather or other reasons, it is good to have a few indoor activities handy.
We have put together a varied list of activities, and then there is always TV or Music to keep you entertained.
DIY Craft
Time to bring out all the watercolours, crayons, markers, glue, paint, paper, beads, and shells. Whether you want to make a piece of jewellery, coasters or a wall hanging, experiment with your material. You can get creative and paint with fingers, twigs, brushes, or even matchsticks.
You can also take this opportunity to introduce your kids to Indian Art and Culture by encouraging them to paint Madhubani, Warli and other Indian Art forms, which typically use natural dyes and pigments, but you could work with watercolours. It’s super fun to make and a great learning experience for your kids.
Bring out the Board Games
If you want to bond with your kids and avoid boredom, try board games like snakes and ladders, ludo, scrabble, etc. It will not only reduce screen time, but you can introduce some competitive spirit into your kids.
You can also use the time to introduce learning into the process; for example, Snakes and ladders originated around the 13th century in ancient India, called Mokshapat. It is believed that the game served educational purposes; the ladders represent virtues, and the snakes represent vices. It could lead you on an adventure to explore more games from ancient India!
Try out simple recipes.
Get creative in the kitchen with available ingredients. Try making sandwiches with banana and Nutella or with leftover sabzi!
You could make tamarind (imli) and jaggery candy at home using a mortar and pestle or a mixer. Allow your kids’ imagination to go wild – add chilly powder, cumin powder and salt for a variation. Add dates to improve the nutritional value and the taste.
Indoor camping
Pitch a tent with blankets or sarees! Switch off the light and use candles or an electric torch. You can introduce your children to the concept of nomadic lifestyles or lifestyles in other parts of the world.
Nomads used to follow their food sources, and they needed to carry their belongings and tents wherever they moved. Tents had to be easy to set up and dismantle yet protect the family or community.
Try out Jigsaw Puzzles or Brain Teasers
Jigsaw puzzles are great because everyone can try to fit in a piece when they have a few minutes to spare. Puzzles improve collaboration and cooperation skills, and it could be a great way to inculcate them in your kid. You can find many brain teasers online; you can also buy some books and spend time trying to solve them.
Play act
One of the best methods to get over inhibitions in children is to make them play-act. Reading need not be a solitary activity; each one of the family members can pick a para or play-act a character. You can let your imagination run free by having someone be the narrator, and others can be role players.
Watch a Movie or a TV Show
If your kids demand screen time, get them to pick a movie or a TV show and ask them to imagine a different ending! Or ask them to play-act the show. They can be creative about the characters. Challenge your kids to guess a nicer stepmom for Snow white. You can even designate a person to sell imaginary tickets, usher in the audience, introduce an intermission and get a kid to sell snacks and drinks!
If you’re stuck indoors for an extended period, pick a show that has both entertainment value and learning. Set small goals and celebrate the milestones.