10 Fun and Creative Things to do at Home with Kids

Here are some of our favorite things to do at home with kids that are fun and creative for the whole family!

Updated March 2025

This post was originally written during the Spring of 2020, when the world was first shutting down due to COVID-19 and parents were struggling to balance work, life and family in the midst of a pandemic. We were able to provide parents with 10 fun and creative ideas to do with their kids with everyone stuck at home.

Now it’s five years later and luckily we’re not still stuck at home! But sometimes kids get sick and you need some creative inspiration to keep everyone happy and sane!

These are family activities that you can do right now with your family, or anytime you need a little entertainment!

Fun and Creative Things to do at Home with Kids 

1. Art activities, of course!

There are so many awesome art activities that are fun, open-ended, and creative that you can do with kids anytime with materials you probably already have around the house. But if you want to order art supplies online, I have an Amazon storefront with my favorite recommended kids art materials.

2. Try a simple science experiment

Kitchen science is the best and much of it is super simple, yet super fun for kids and families. And it’s definitely one of the best things you can do at home with kids! You can also make some slime (a fun experiment in itself) then use it for slime faces and other creations

3. Start a daily gratitude practice.

Start a daily gratitude practice as a family, whether at the dinner table or before bed. Take turns talking about what you’re grateful for right now in your life or in the world. When you are full of gratitude, there is no room for fear. 

4. Build a LEGO city together.

Take over the living room or a big table to construct and play with an elaborate play scene made out of LEGO, building blocks, Playmobile, magnet tiles, or your favorite open-ended toys.

A homemade play mat might make a good base for this play + construction extravaganza!

Or, take the idea outside, and make roads, rivers, and hills out of dirt, sand, water, sticks, and rocks.

5. Play games!

Play games together as a family! We’ve been playing lots of games, including board games, card games, and art games. We also love drawing games for creative fun!

6. Build a Fort

Encourage your kids to build a fort, inside or out. Or join in on the fort-building fun yourself! 

Depending on what you have on hand, you can use large cardboard boxes, a Fort Magic kit, or sheets and furniture.

7. Set up a Scavenger Hunt for Kids

If you’re stuck inside and need something to do (that doesn’t involve a screen), try an indoor scavenger hunt! There are so many possibilities: a Make-and-Do Scavenger Hunt or a color scavenger hunt (great for the littles). Note: if you’re able to go outside, this can turn into a color-based nature scavenger hunt.

8. Go on a Nature Walk

Get outside and enjoy nature together, whether it’s a neighborhood nature walk or a proper hike. Bring back a few nature treasures for a spring nature table, some nature art, or to make flower suncatchers.

9. Start a Garden

Whether you have a balcony with just enough space for a few pots or a large backyard, now is the perfect time to start planning and preparing a garden. Grow flowers or vegetables or both!

Choose your spot, amend the soil, and plant some seeds or starts. Watching things grow is wonderful for all ages!  P.S. While you’re outside, trick out your backyard for extra fun.

10. Cook Together

You have to feed the family anyway, and kids love to cook! Try one of these ideas and recipes for cooking with kids.

How about you? Do you have any other ideas for things to do with the kids at home right now?

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