30 Best Indoor Games for Kids To Keep Them Hooked, Fit & Energetic (2024)

Technology has changed the playing patterns of children, especially during the pandemic. Nowadays, the majority of children prefer playing video games online rather than spending time on other physical activities. If you are worried about your child's screen time, you can introduce them to various indoor games. This blog provides you with a list of 30 fun indoor games for kids at home that will also help them learn.

What Are Indoor Games?

Indoor games are fun activities that children can do at home with their parents or other family members. Indoor games are not only about sitting and playing board games; they help children learn and grow. There are plenty of indoor party games for kids that require physical activity.

Indoor Games for Kids

The following are some of the best indoor games that will increase their physical activity and also boost their learning ability:

1. Hopscotch

Hopscotch is a traditional fun game for kids. They start by making rectangles on the floor and drawing numbers inside those blocks from 1 to 8. Each child takes a turn to throw a small stone inside a box and then retrieve the same. Usually, hopscotch is played outside on the streets. However, you can make your children play hopscotch at home too. You can stick coloured tape on the floor to make hopscotch or cut cardboard into big square or rectangular pieces, write numbers on it from one to eight, and stick it to the floor with tape. Now, give children a rolled sock or a small flat object to throw on the numbers and let them enjoy the game.

Buy this game here - Kids Mandi Hopscotch Jumbo Play mat Game (40" x 108")

2. Boomerangs

Boomerang is another most fun indoor game that will keep your child busy for hours. You can buy a boomerang from the market or make it at home as well. Here is how:

Take a heavy card sheet or cardboard paper, a pair of scissors, and some glue.
You will also need a 360-degree protractor to make the boomerang.
Trace an arm of the boomerang on the card sheet and cut it neatly. Use the arm to cut two other arms of the boomerang of the same size.
Use the protractor to arrange the boomerang. Keep an angle of 120 degrees between the arms. Stick them together.
Your boomerang is ready to be thrown.

Buy this game here - Fancyku Wooden Boomerang - for Kids 8-18

3. Scrabble

Scrabble would be perfect for your child if you are looking for a fun yet educational indoor game for kids. It is a word game where two or more people build words with different alphabets. Scrabble will help your kid learn new words and improve their vocabulary. It also helps improve cognitive ability as children think while forming words. Scrabble is also great for increasing concentration in children. You can easily buy a scrabble board game from a kid's shop or at online stores.

Buy this game here - Mattel Scrabble Original Board Game

4. Balloon Volleyball

Balloon volleyball will be the perfect game for your child if they love to play with balloons. All you need is a balloon and keep hitting it softly so that it remains in the air for the longest time. Players take turns to hit the balloon. If one of them is unable to keep the balloon in the air and it falls on the ground, the player gets eliminated. You can ask your child to blow up a balloon. According to research, balloon play can support child development.

It improves motor skills in children as they make a lot of body movements while running around the balloon. Also, it improves hand-eye coordination in kids as they have to watch the balloon come down and throw it back in the air. Balloon volleyball is one of the best indoor games for kids to increase physical activity. Kids can easily play this game in the backyard or in the living room.

Buy this game here -KIPSTA Ballon BV 100 Green

5. Dumb Charades

This is a perfect game to boost your child's thinking ability. In dumb charades, one player must enact a movie, word, or object. The other players guess the object or movie with the help of actions. While playing dumb charades with children, you can ask them to guess the names of the books or some action verbs like singing, drinking, eating, studying, brushing, and more. You can put a timer for guessing. It will make children think on their feet and will help increase their thinking abilities. In dumb charades, you can divide your family members into teams. It will help your kids understand the importance of teamwork.

Buy this game here - Madrat Games Dumb Charades, Multi Color

6. Musical Chair

If your kids are gloomy by staying inside the house all day, you can make them play the musical chair game. It will cheer up their mood and also increase their physical activity. You have to arrange a couple of chairs in a circle or a vertical line in the musical chair. One person plays music while the kids move around the chairs. As soon as the music stops, the children have to rush and sit on the nearest chair. One player who does not find a chair is eliminated. It is best if all the family members play the musical chair game.

Remember to make your kids play musical chairs in the backyard or any open space in their house as it involves running. If you are arranging chairs in the living room, ensure that the floor is not slippery and remove all sharp objects from the room.

7. Scavenger Hunt

Another indoor game for kids that will keep them occupied for long hours is the scavenger hunt. It is one of the most exciting games for kids as they have to go around the house and find different objects. The one who finds the maximum number of items mentioned on the list wins the game. A scavenger hunt can also be a perfect learning game for kids.

8. Indoor Bowling

If your kids are bored of playing board games, you can make them do indoor bowling. You can get an indoor bowling game from the market or make it at home. All you have to do is ask your children to take some plastic cold drink bottles and fill them with old clothes so they become heavy. Arrange the bottles in rows. Make your child stand at some distance from the bottles and ask them to roll the ball on the ground. They have to knock down as many bottles as possible in one go. Then ask them to rearrange the bottles and roll the ball again. It is one of the best indoor games for kids as well as their parents.

Buy this game here - Bowling Set Indoor Bowling Set Smiley

9. Dominoes

You can make your children play dominoes if you want minimum noise in the house. Dominos are flat rectangular tiles made of wood or plastic. The tiles have dots on them that depict numbers. There are usually 28 dominoes in a set. The kids have to shuffle the dominoes and keep them upside-down. Each player gets a chance to flip the domino. The purpose is to score maximum points in the game. It is a simple yet fun indoor game for kids that is easily available in the market.

Buy this game here - Buy Domino & Tile Games for Kids Online

10. Ludo and Other Dice Games

You can also spend quality time with your children by playing dice games like Ludo with them. You need four players for this indoor game. Each player gets four different coloured pieces to put in their homes. Then, each player can throw the dice and move their objects. The player whose all pieces reach the middle fastest wins the game.

Ludo helps children memorize numbers and also aids in improving their thinking ability. You will easily find Ludo boards online. You can also try other dice games available in the market for kids.

Buy this game here - Funskool Travel Ludo

11. Block Building

If you haven't already, you must give your child a building blocks game. According to research, playing with building blocks aids in the emotional and social growth of children. It also helps children develop practical skills like problem-solving and creativity.

The building block game also improves the motor activity in children and helps improve hand-eye coordination. Children use their imagination while arranging blocks into different shapes, which boosts their creativity skills. You can help your children build cars, robots, or a house with blocks. It will help you bond better with them.

Buy this game here - Building Blocks - Toys & Games

12. Pictionary

This is one of the best indoor learning games for kids that they can play with their entire family. All you need is pens and paper to play Pictionary. You have to divide the players into two teams. All the players can write the names of a few objects or animals in chits and fold them. One player from each team has to take a chit and draw the object on paper. The other members must guess the word the player has drawn on the paper. The team that guesses the maximum words wins the game. Pictionary helps children memorize the names of animals, birds, and objects. It is also beneficial for teaching teamwork to your children.

Buy this game here - Mattel Bird Pictionary - The Game Of Quick Draw, Blue,Pack Of 1

13. Marbles

Marbles are a game of geometry in which the kids place marbles inside a ring. They use another marble to shoot and knock the existing marble out of the ring. It helps children boost focus.

Buy this game here - Buy Toys Marbles for Kids Online

14. Jenga

Jenga is one of the best games to keep your children busy and build focus. It is a game of skill and strategy where blocks are arranged in a tower, and the players have to remove blocks carefully so that the tower does not fall. You can buy a Jenga game online for your kids.

Buy this game here - Hasbro Gaming Classic Jenga

15. Tic-Tac-Toe

This is the traditional indoor game of two players that require children to use their brains. They have to make a grid of nine boxes on a piece of paper. One player chooses 'X,' and the other one selects 'O.' They take chances to mark X or O on the grid. The players have to prevent each other from marking three X or O in a horizontal, vertical, or slanting line.

Buy this game here - Tic-tac-toe Wooden Board Game

16. Monopoly

Monopoly is an interesting indoor game that will help your child learn maths. It helps them understand the basics of finance and property investing at an early age. Along with this, kids also learn how to negotiate. You can spend quality time with your children while playing a monopoly game.

Buy this game here - Funskool Games Monopoly India Edition Family

17. Hammer Ball

This is a fun indoor game for toddlers. Hammer and ball is an excellent indoor game for improving eye-hand coordination in children. Hammer and ball games are easily available online or at children's toy stores.

Buy this game here - Wooden Hammer Ball Knock Pounding Bench

18. Clay

You can also ask your children to play with clay. According to research, playing with clay has several benefits for children. Making different figures from clay boosts imagination and creativity. It also encourages sensory development in children. Playing with clay is also an excellent therapy for children as it helps them stay calm.

19. Hide and Seek

This is one of the most popular games for kids. While playing hide and seek outside is best, children can also play inside the house. They can find plenty of places to hide inside the house. You will probably need all the family members to play hide and seek with your children. One player has to face the wall, close his eyes and count to 100. During that time, others will find a place to hide. The seeker has to find all the hidden players. The next seeker is the player who is found first. Before playing hide and seek, you should lock your wardrobes or other confined places that can be risky for children.

20. Card Matching Game

This is an ideal game to improve your kid's learning ability. You have to take picture cards with different alphabets, shapes, or objects. Arrange all the cards upside down in different rows. Now, ask your child to flip a card, see what it shows and then turn it over. Now, the child will have to flip another card. The child must keep doing it until they find all the matching cards. Since the cards are turned upside-down, the children must remember the matching cards' position. This indoor game boosts memory in children.

21. Juggling

Another best indoor game that increases kids' motor activity is juggling. It also enhances eye-hand movement and improves focus. You can give your child fruits like oranges or apples or balls for juggling. Children can learn to juggle by watching YouTube tutorials.

22. Indoor Obstacle Course

The indoor obstacle is a great indoor game to increase your child's physical activity. The child has to clear all the hurdles to reach the endpoint. You can make various obstacles inside the house like crawling under a table, jumping over a ball, crossing a tape maze, throwing balls in the laundry bag, and others.

23. Sack Race

It is another fun indoor game for kids that you can try in your backyard. You need four-five jute sacks. Mark the start and finishing line for the race. Ask the children to stand inside the sacks as soon as they blow. With a whistle, the children have to hop with the sack and reach the finishing line. The child who gets there first becomes the winner.

24. Hula Hooping

If your kids stay in bed all day, get them to do the hula hoop. It is a great physical activity for kids that helps increase focus and flexibility while having fun. Hula hooping can strengthen abdominal, leg, and arm muscles. You can purchase a hula hoop online for your kid and ask them to try it slowly.

25. Passing the Parcel

It is an indoor game that requires 4-5 players and one person to play the song. All the players have to sit in a circle. You can take a cushion or a soft toy for passing. As soon as the music starts playing, everyone has to pass the parcel to the next member. The music is stopped abruptly, and the player with the parcel must perform an activity like dancing or singing. It is a fun game for kids that helps sociological development.

26. Name, Place, Animal, Thing

It is an interesting, fun game for kids that will help them learn about different names, places, animals, and things. It also improves vocabulary. This game involves three or four players. One player has to pick an alphabet, and everyone has to write a name, place, animal, and thing starting with that alphabet. The player with the maximum scores wins the game.

27. Indoor Basketball

If you cannot send your child to play outside, you can arrange an indoor basketball stand for them in your backyard or the living room. It promotes physical development in children. Indoor basketball games for kids are easily available in the market.

28. Lemon-Spoon Race

It is another fun indoor game for kids. Place the lemon on a spoon and ask your child to hold the spoon in your mouth, and walk. They have to make sure that the lemon does not fall. The person who reaches the finishing line first becomes the winner. This game helps improve balance.

29. Floor is Lava

You can play the 'floor is lava' game with your child by placing pillows and blankets on the floor. Instruct your child that they have to pretend that the floor is hot lava. Your child cannot step on the floor but will have to jump on the pillows to move forward.

30. Dog and The Bone

You can play this game in your backyard. Divide the players into two teams. Place a handkerchief on the ground inside a ring. A player from each team will go near the ring and try to pick up the handkerchief. The player who picks it up first and returns to the starting line wins.

Benefits of Playing Indoor Games

Early years are crucial for a child's growth as they learn the most during that time. Games play a vital role during these development years. According to UNICEF, games are not all about having fun. They are also beneficial for learning. Here are a few benefits of playing indoor games.

1. Helps in Development

Indoor games are beneficial for the overall development of children. It helps them become more aware of their environment and express their emotions while playing. Playing indoor games is beneficial for children's physical, emotional, and sociological development. As per research, less play during the initial years can negatively affect normal social functioning in kids.

2. Learn New Skills

Indoor games also help children learn new skills. They help kids acquire problem-solving skills, enhance creativity, and make them learn how to negotiate. While playing indoor games with siblings and other family members, children also learn the importance of teamwork.

3. Improves Vocabulary

Children can also improve their vocabulary by playing indoor games and reading books. Activities like scrabble, pictionary, scavenger hunt, and dumb charades help children learn new words.

4. Reduces the Risk of Obesity

Research suggests that physical activity during playing games can help prevent obesity. Therefore, you can play indoor games with your child that involve physical activity like bowling, hide and seek, musical chairs, and others.

Summing Up on Indoor Games for Kids

You must have heard the saying, 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' This is true for children. Playing games helps children grow and learn new skills like creativity and problem-solving. Parents should encourage their children to play indoor games and get involved to spend quality time with their kids. Some simple indoor game names you must try are pictionary, block building, scavenger hunt, dumb charades, and musical chairs.

References

Anna Taylor, Amanda Gummer; How balloon play can support child development: A study of children aged three to four years - https://www.goodplayguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/EBPC-benefits-of-balloons-research-paper-22.1.20-AT.pdf
Kari B. August, 2017; Why Playing with Clay is Great for Your Child’s Development - https://www.nvrc.ca/notices-events-blog/active-living-blog/why-playing-clay-great-your-childs-development
Jeffrey Goldstein, February 2012; PLAY IN CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING - https://www.ornes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Play-in-children-s-development-health-and-well-being-feb-2012.pdf

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