4 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids this Summer
Summer is a great time for kids to get outside and be active, but sometimes the Louisiana heat and rain showers can make outdoor activities difficult. When this happens, it can be hard to find fun ways to keep kids moving indoors.
Being active is important for a child’s health, growth, and development. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children ages 6–17 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Why is this important? Research highlighted by Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows that many children are not getting enough daily physical activity. According to the 2024 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, only 20–28% of children ages 6–17 meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. In Louisiana, less than one in five youth meet that goal. Many children also spend more time on screens than recommended. These findings show that every opportunity to move matters, even when kids need to stay indoors.
If you’re trying to reduce screen time or tired of hearing, “I’m bored,” we’ve got you covered. These fun indoor activities can help keep kids moving, learning, and using their creativity. Perfect for different ages, abilities, and busy family schedules, these ideas make it easy to fit healthy movement into your day. Rain or shine, active fun can still be a part of your day!
Laundry Basket Skee-ball
What You’ll Need:
- 2-3 laundry baskets (or other storage baskets)
- Cardboard boxes (to make a ramp)
- 5 tennis balls (or whatever you have available)
- Paper and tape (for scoring labels)
- A hallway or open space
- Optional: Pool noodles to create side bumpers
Setup:
- Place baskets upright in a row so they are touching
- Write 100, 200, 300 on sheets of paper and tape them inside the baskets (depending on how many baskets you’re using). Baskets farther from the start line earn more points.
- Flatten the cardboard box to make a ramp and tape it to the edge of the closest basket
- Mark a throwing line with tape or a pillow near the beginning of the ramp.
How to Play:
Stand behind the throwing line and roll the balls up the ramp and into the baskets. Add up points after each round. Take turns and try to get the highest score. For an added challenge, kids can try rolling the ball behind their back or with their non-dominant hand.
Sensory Craft Station
What You’ll Need (all optional):
- Dried rice, beans, and pasta
- Liquid food coloring
- Pipe cleaners
- Pom-pom balls
- Popsicle sticks
- Clay or play dough
- Slime
- Paint and paintbrushes
- Plastic bin
- Construction paper
- Cupcake liners
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
How to Play:
There are so many possibilities to create and explore with a sensory craft station at home. You can choose to use whatever you have on hand or buy a few extra low-cost items. Here are some ideas!
Set up some cupcake liners and let kids sort the different objects. Add slime or paint to a food storage bag and let them draw shapes mess-free. Choose an object and let the kids try to sculpt it from clay or play dough. Ask them to create a nature scene or “draw” with dried rice, beans, and pasta. Try simple finger painting or construction paper cutouts. Set everything up on a table and let the kids freely explore all the colors and textures.
Note: Adult supervision may be needed for younger children, especially when using scissors, paint, or small craft materials.
Yoga Video Follow-along
What You’ll Need:
- Tablet, computer, or TV
- Access to an online video
- Yoga mats or rugs (optional)
How to Play:
Set up the yoga mats or rugs on a large, cleared area of the floor if you will be using them. Make sure each person can see the video screen from their position. Find a kid-friendly yoga video online to follow. Play the video and let your kids try the yoga moves. For an added challenge, have your kids create their own yoga routine!
Water Bottle Bowling
What You’ll Need:
- 10 filled water bottles
- 1 ball (tennis ball, soccer ball, kickball, etc.)
- Pool noodles or other barrier to make a lane (or use a hallway)
Setup:
- Arrange the pins (water bottles) in a triangle with 4 bottles in the back row, then 3, 2, and 1
- If you’re not using a hallway, you can use painters' tape to secure some pool noodles on the floor as a bowling lane
How to Play:
Each player bowls 2 times on their turn. Roll the ball down the lane and try to knock down as many pins as you can on your turn. Set the pins back up so the next person can take their turn. You get 1 point for each pin you knock down. Knocking down all 10 pins in 1 roll is called a strike. Knocking down all 10 pins in 2 rolls is called a spare. You can keep score or play for fun.
Don’t Forget Our Fun Printables!
Indoor play days don’t have to be boring. Whether you’re staying inside because of the summer heat or waiting for a rain shower to pass, there are plenty of ways to keep kids active, engaged, and having fun. Every opportunity to move helps children build heathy habits that support their growth and development.
Looking for even more family-friendly activities? Explore the Greaux Healthy Resource Library for printable coloring sheets, screen-free activities, wellness resources, and practical tips to help your family stay healthy and active. After all that fun, don’t forget to offer hydrating snacks and plenty of water. Rain or shine making time for movement can help your family build healthy habits that last a lifetime.