Hey there, fellow parents! Are you tired of hearing your kids whine and moan on a rainy day, saying “there’s nothing to do”? Do you want to find a way to keep your kids entertained, engaged, and learning, without resorting to screens or sugar? If so, then I have the perfect solution for you: indoor hobbies!
Indoor hobbies are those activities that kids can do inside the house (or any other covered space) and that don’t require much space or equipment. They can be creative, brainy, active, or just plain fun. And the great thing about indoor hobbies is that they have the power to transform a boring, rainy day into a fun and productive one.
But here’s the thing: indoor hobbies are not just for rainy days. They can be enjoyed any time, regardless of the weather. Indoor hobbies are a fantastic way for kids to explore their interests, to develop their skills and talents, and to use their imaginations. Plus, indoor hobbies provide a common ground for conversation and a source of pride and accomplishment for your kids.
So, are you ready to discover the joy of indoor hobbies with your kids? Do you want to finally have a “rainy day” plan that doesn’t involve screens or snacks? If so, then let’s get started!
Crafty hobbies for kids
Are your kids the artsy-fartsy type who love to get their hands dirty and create something from scratch? If so, then crafty hobbies might be the perfect fit! Here are five crafty hobbies that your kids might enjoy:
- Drawing and colouring: You don’t need to be the next Michelangelo to enjoy drawing and colouring. All you need is a pen, pencil, or marker, and a piece of paper (or a colouring book). Encourage your kids to let their imaginations run wild and to create whatever they like. You might be surprised by their creativity and talent!
- Painting and sculpting: If your kids are more ambitious and want to take their art to the next level, then painting and sculpting might be the way to go. You can use watercolours, acrylics, oils, or any other type of paint, and you can work on canvas, paper, or any other surface. Sculpting can be done with clay, Play-Doh, or any other malleable material. Just make sure to have some old clothes or an apron handy, as things can get messy!
- Origami and paper crafts: Origami is the art of folding paper into different shapes and figures. It’s a great hobby for kids because it’s easy to learn and requires very few supplies (just paper and your hands). You can find tons of origami tutorials online or in books, or you can make up your own designs. Paper crafts are similar to origami, but they involve cutting and gluing paper to create different objects or decorations.
- Knitting and crocheting: Knitting and crocheting are hobbies that involve creating fabric by looping yarn through itself using needles or a hook. These hobbies can seem intimidating at first, but they’re actually very easy to learn, and they’re great for developing fine motor skills and concentration. You can find lots of knitting and crocheting tutorials online or in books, or you can join a knitting or crocheting group in your community.
- Sewing and embroidery: Sewing and embroidery are hobbies that involve creating fabric by stitching it together using a needle and thread. Sewing can be done by hand or using a sewing machine, and it’s a great hobby for kids who want to create their own clothes, bags, or other items. Embroidery is like sewing, but it involves decorating fabric with needle and thread using different stitches and patterns. Both sewing and embroidery are great hobbies for kids who want to learn a useful skill and to express themselves creatively.
So, if your kids are crafty and love to create, then one of these hobbies might be the perfect fit. Happy crafting!Top of Form
Brainy hobbies for kids
re your kids the smarty-pants type who love to challenge their brains and solve puzzles? If so, then brainy hobbies might be the perfect fit! Here are five brainy hobbies that your kids might enjoy:
- Board games and card games: Board games and card games are a classic rainy-day activity that can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. From simple games like Candy Land and Old Maid, to more complex games like Monopoly and Risk, there’s a board game or card game out there for every kid. Board games and card games are great for developing strategy, logic, and social skills, and they can be lots of fun too!
- Chess and checkers: If your kids are more ambitious and want to take their brain games to the next level, then chess and checkers might be the way to go. These games are ancient and classic, and they’re still played and enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Chess and checkers are great for developing concentration, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking, and they can be very rewarding when you win (or even when you lose, if you learn from your mistakes).
- Scrabble and Bananagrams: If your kids are word nerds who love to play with language, then Scrabble and Bananagrams might be the perfect fit. Scrabble is a classic word game that involves creating words using letter tiles, and it’s great for developing vocabulary and spelling skills. Bananagrams is a newer game that involves creating a grid of connected words using letter tiles, and it’s great for developing quick thinking and mental agility. Both Scrabble and Bananagrams are great for kids who love language and words.
- Crosswords and Sudoku: If your kids are puzzle-solvers who love to fill in the blanks, then crosswords and Sudoku might be the way to go. Crosswords are word puzzles that involve filling in a grid of blank squares with letters to create words, and they’re great for developing vocabulary and spelling skills. Sudoku is a number puzzle that involves filling in a grid of blank squares with numbers so that each row, column, and box contains all the numbers from 1 to 9, and it’s great for developing logic and problem-solving.
Active hobbies for kids
Are your kids the hyperactive type who love to move, jump, and run around? If so, then active hobbies might be the perfect fit! Here are five active hobbies that your kids might enjoy:
- Yoga and meditation: Yoga and meditation might seem like the opposite of active hobbies, but they can actually be very energizing and invigorating. Yoga is a practice that involves physical poses, breathing techniques, and relaxation, and it’s great for developing strength, flexibility, and balance. Meditation is a practice that involves focusing the mind and calming the body, and it’s great for developing concentration, mindfulness, and stress management. Both yoga and meditation are great hobbies for kids who need to blow off steam and to find some inner calm.
- Dancing and freeze dance: If your kids are more into music and movement, then dancing and freeze dance might be the way to go. Dancing is a great way for kids to express themselves creatively and to have fun, and there are all kinds of dance styles to choose from (e.g., ballet, tap, hip hop, salsa). Freeze dance is a simple and fun game that involves dancing to music and then “freezing” in place when the music stops. Freeze dance is great for developing coordination and musicality, and it’s lots of fun too!
- Obstacle courses and treasure hunts: If your kids are more into adventure and challenge, then obstacle courses and treasure hunts might be the perfect fit. Obstacle courses can be set up in any space (indoors or outdoors) and can involve all kinds of challenges (e.g. crawling through tunnels, jumping over hurdles, balancing on beams). Treasure hunts are a classic and fun game that involve searching for hidden objects or clues, and they can be adapted to any age or theme. Obstacle courses and treasure hunts are great for developing coordination, problem-solving skills, and creativity.
- Indoor sports: If your kids are sports enthusiasts who love to compete and play, then indoor sports might be the way to go. Indoor sports are great for kids who love the thrill of the game, and they can be played with minimal space and equipment. Some indoor sports that your kids might enjoy including basketball, soccer, baseball, and any other sport that can be adapted to an indoor setting.
- Martial arts and self-defence: If your kids are interested in self-discipline, respect, and physical fitness, then martial arts and self-defence might be the perfect fit. Martial arts are traditional systems of combat and self-defence that involve techniques for striking, grappling, and throwing, and they’re great for developing discipline, focus, and confidence. Self-defence is a modern system of techniques for protecting oneself from harm, and it’s great for developing awareness, assertiveness, and safety skills. Both martial arts and self-defence are great hobbies for kids who want to develop physical and mental skills.
Creative hobbies for kids
Are your kids the creative and expressive type who love to tell stories, make music, and perform? If so, then creative hobbies might be the perfect fit! Here are five creative hobbies that your kids might enjoy:
- Storytelling and acting: If your kids are natural storytellers who love to use their imaginations and to bring characters to life, then storytelling and acting might be the way to go. Storytelling is the art of telling a story, whether it’s a fairytale, a legend, or a real-life event, and it’s great for developing creativity, verbal skills, and confidence. Acting is the art of pretending to be someone else, and it’s great for developing self-expression, empathy, and communication skills. You can find lots of storytelling and acting resources online or in books, or you can join a storytelling or acting group in your community.
- Music and singing: If your kids are musical and love to make sounds and rhythms, then music and singing might be the perfect fit. Music is the art of creating and performing sounds using instruments or the voice, and it’s great for developing creativity, discipline, and coordination. Singing is the art of using the voice to produce melodies and harmonies, and it’s great for developing vocal technique, expression, and confidence. You can find lots of music and singing resources online or in books, or you can join a music or singing group in your community.
- Stand-up comedy and improvisation: If your kids are funny and love to make people laugh, then stand-up comedy and improvisation might be the way to go. Stand-up comedy is the art of telling jokes and stories in a humorous way, and it’s great for developing wit, timing, and confidence. Improvisation is the art of making up stories and scenes on the spot, and it’s great for developing creativity, teamwork, and quick thinking. You can find lots of stand-up comedy and improvisation resources online or in books, or you can join a comedy or improvisation group in your community.
- Magic tricks and sleight of hand: If your kids are fascinated by magic and illusions, then magic tricks and sleight of hand might be the perfect fit. Magic is the art of creating illusions and surprising people, and it’s great for developing creativity, confidence, and showmanship. Sleight of hand is the art of manipulating objects with dexterity and skill, and it’s great for developing manual dexterity and attention to detail. You can find lots of magic tricks and sleight of hand resources online or in books, or you can join a magic or sleight of hand group in your community.
- Poetry and writing: If your kids are word nerds who love to play with language and express themselves, then poetry and writing might be the way to go. Poetry is the art of creating and reciting verse, and it’s great for developing creativity, verbal skills, and self-expression.
So, there you have it! A list of indoor hobbies that you and your kids can enjoy together on a rainy day or any day. Whether you’re crafty, brainy, active, creative, or just looking for some fun and bonding time, there’s a hobby out there for you and your kids. The best part is that the possibilities are endless, and you can try out as many hobbies as you like.
The joy of discovering and pursuing hobbies with your kids is that you get to share an activity that you both love, and you get to bond and have fun together. Hobbies are a great way to spend quality time with your kids, to teach them new skills and values, and to support their development and growth. So, don’t let a rainy day (or any other excuse) get in the way of discovering the joy of hobbies with your kids.