The funny thing about finding fun activities for kids at home is that the activity you expect them to love might last five minutes, while something incredibly simple keeps them occupied for an entire afternoon.
Over the years, we’ve gone through a lot of phases in our house—from sensory play and pretend kitchens when my kids were little to crafts, building sets, games, puzzles, outdoor play, and increasingly independent hobbies as they’ve gotten older.
I originally put this list together when my kids were much younger, but I’ve learned that having a good mix of things available matters far more than constantly planning elaborate activities. Some days kids want to create. Other days they want to build, move, pretend, solve something, or just play independently for a while.
So I’ve updated this collection of 70+ fun things for kids to do at home, including many of the toys, supplies, games, and activities we’ve used over the years. There are ideas for younger kids as well as options that can grow with them—and plenty that siblings or the whole family can enjoy together.
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One thing I’ve appreciated more as my kids have gotten older is seeing how much creativity can come from a little boredom. Having activities and supplies available doesn’t mean we need to constantly set something up or tell kids what to do with them.
Open-ended toys, art supplies, books, games, building materials, and even ordinary things around the house can become something completely different once kids take over. The goal isn’t to fill every minute—it’s to give them enough options to explore, play independently, create together, and figure out what interests them.
Building Toys
Creative
Pretend Play
Play-Based Education
Music
Outdoor
Sports
Games for the Family
Books
- Kitchen and Science
- Entertainment and Workbooks
- Great Reads
Furniture
More Fun Activities for Kids at Home
Looking for more easy activities? I also have a list of 50 Creative Pool Noodle Uses For Toddler-Activities, with ideas for both indoor and outdoor play.
Have older kids? As mine have grown, the things that keep them interested have changed too. If your child loves building, experimenting, reading, creating, or learning new skills, I put together 50+ Gift Ideas for Curious Kids Ages 8–12 based on many of the interests and activities my own kids have grown into.
Finding What Works for Your Kids
The funny thing about kids is that the activity you expect them to love might last five minutes, while something incredibly simple keeps them occupied for an entire afternoon.
I’ve learned not to worry so much about finding the “perfect” activity. Give kids different ways to build, create, move, imagine, solve problems, and explore—and pay attention to what they keep coming back to.
As they grow, those interests change too. The sensory bins and pretend play eventually become LEGO builds, recipes, origami, puzzles, books, coding, crafts, or hobbies we never would have predicted. That’s part of the fun.
Hopefully this list gives you a few new things to try the next time everyone is home and the inevitable “What can I do?”begins.
What do your kids love doing at home?
Share their favorites in the comments—I’m always looking for new ideas too!
Hi, I’m Paula — mom of two growing kids, lifelong overthinker, and the person behind Thanks Mommy. I share thoughtful parenting, raising curious and independent kids, creativity, learning at home, simple recipes, and the everyday things we learn along the way.
This is a great list and resource for parents! I homeschool and have a lot of these we use for that everyday. My kids LOVE the building and outdoor play type toys the most!
Great list! We have alot of the same ideas in our posts. My kids have just started playing more hoard games and its a greta family time boredom killer.
Our fellas are doing a lot of building and playing in the back yard.
A great list. I think the stay at home moms are defiantly at an advantage. We have most of these things and an entire art closet and a game cabinet that I had recently organized before all of this (thank God). I have a friend who has always worked full… Read more »
Great list for us to be occupied + work from home, let us all keep the spirit of hope.