engaging Indoor Activities to Combat Boredom

Although the kids have just headed back to school, the days are growing shorter and outdoor activities are becoming less feasible. Before long, you’ll hear the inevitable, “I’m bored.” So, what can you do to keep your kids healthy, active, and entertained while indoors?

Guidelines for Activity Levels

According to Canadian guidelines, preschoolers should engage in at least 180 minutes of physical activity spread throughout the day, while children aged 5 to 17 should aim for a minimum of 60 minutes daily, including aerobic activities and muscle and bone-strengthening exercises at least three times a week.

This doesn’t mean it has to be organized sports or a long stretch of continuous exercise. Anything that gets them moving purposefully counts. Encouraging kids to be active in short bursts of 15 minutes every hour can easily accumulate to their daily goal of 180 minutes.

For older kids, participation in sports or physical classes like dance may seem sufficient, but remember that they might also spend time sitting or waiting—listening to a coach or observing demonstrations—during these sessions.

Why Physical Activity is Important

Promoting physical activity helps instill lifelong healthy habits in your children. It builds a stronger cardiovascular system, strengthens muscles and bones, enhances their immune system, and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Active children often exhibit greater confidence and a more positive outlook. They experience lower levels of anxiety and depression, improved concentration abilities, and tend to perform better academically.

There are countless ways to keep your kids active indoors without needing expensive equipment. You can try any of the fun activities our family enjoys or come up with your own ideas—the only limit is your creativity and the amount of noise and laughter you can handle!

Silly Sports Activities

Have your kids lie on their backs and pretend to ride a bike by moving their legs in the air. In that position, they can scissor their legs while lifting canned goods as weights. Set up some pillows on the floor and have them “swim” through the air while lying on them. Challenge your child to see how long they can do each activity.

Playmobil Hide & Seek

Hide Playmobil figures around the house and send the kids off to find them. Each time they find one, they must return to a “home,” place the figure there, and then head out for the next one.

Yarn Webs

Wrap yarn or twine around chairs and create a web for your little “spiders” to crawl over, through, and around.

Timed Scavenger Hunt

Prepare a list of items for your child to locate, making it a challenge with descriptions like “something with polka dots” or “a book featuring an elephant.” Time them to see who can find the most items or find one of each item in the shortest time.

Dance Statues

Play some music and have everyone dance. Call out commands like “touch your toes” or “make circles with your arms.” Suddenly turn off the music and have everyone freeze like a statue until they either tire out or can’t stop giggling!

Creative Crossings

Invent various ways to move across the room, such as crawling on hands and knees, using two pieces of paper as stepping stones, or carrying each other. This exercise is excellent for stimulating their minds.

Hot Potato—Balloon Style

Inflate a balloon and have the kids pass it back and forth using only their breaths. The balloon cannot touch the floor, ceiling, or any furniture. It’s more challenging than it seems!

Tidy Room Olympics

Transform tidying up into fun games. Challenge them to throw soft toys into their box from a distance, toss garbage in the wastebasket, or pin clothes in the hamper. They can compete to see who can reach the highest shelf to place books, etc.

Teach Me

Ask your child to teach you some moves they’ve learned, whether it’s a soccer pass, ballet foot placement, or anything they enjoy. Swap roles and teach them a yoga pose or a dance move. This activity fosters communication and strengthens your bond.

Crab Walk Challenge

Teach your children how to crab walk, then challenge them to cross the room balancing different items on their tummies.