From Treasure Hunts to DIY Crafts: 6 Indoor Activities to Beat the Summer Heat With Your Kids
As the temperature rises and outdoor play becomes less appealing, it is time to get creative and turn your home into the ultimate fun zone for your children. From crafting colourful tie-dye t-shirts to planning an enthralling treasure hunt, there are plenty of exciting ways to keep your kids entertained indoors while staying cool.
We have put together six gripping activities that promise hours of enjoyment for the whole family. So, gather your materials, roll up your sleeves, and let’s dive into these indoor adventures that are sure to beat the heat and keep boredom away.
1. Mini Olympics at home
Where: Living room or any open space in the house
How to organise:
Hosting your own mini Olympics at home is a fantastic way to keep your kids active and entertained indoors. Start by creating a few simple events using everyday household items. You can set up sock bowling, where you roll socks into a ball and try to knock down a row of plastic bottles or cups.
You can play the paper plate frisbee game with your kids at home
For an exciting challenge, try the paper plate frisbee, where kids aim to throw paper plates through a hoop or at a target. Another fun event is the classic spoon and egg race, but with a twist, use a plastic spoon and a lightweight fruit or ball instead of an egg. Add some friendly competition by timing the races, and don’t forget to hand out homemade medals made from cardboard and foil for a real Olympic feel.
2. DIY tie-dye clothing
Where: Kitchen or utility room (with protective coverings)
How to organise:
Tie-dye is a creative and colourful activity that is suitable for a warm day indoors. To get started, you will need some plain white cotton t-shirts, fabric dye, rubber bands, and gloves. Wet the t-shirts slightly to help the dye spread more evenly.
Next, tie the shirts with rubber bands to create fun designs like the classic spiral, bullseye, or stripes. Once you have secured the shirt, use squeeze bottles filled with different colours of fabric dye to apply your colours, either randomly or in a specific pattern.
Creating tie-dye clothes with your children will help to add something memorable to their wardrobe
After applying the dye, wrap each shirt in a plastic bag and leave it to set for four to six hours, or overnight if you want the colours to be more vibrant. Rinse the shirts with cold water until the water runs clear, then hang them up to dry. You will have bright t-shirts that your kids will love to wear this summer.
3. Indoor treasure hunt
Where: Anywhere in the house (living room, kitchen, and bedrooms)
How to organise:
An indoor treasure hunt is a classic activity that never fails to engage kids and kindle their sense of adventure. Start by creating a treasure map or a list of clues that will lead your children from one hidden item to the next.
An indoor treasure hunt is a classic activity that will keep your kids engaged for a long time
You can hide small toys, snacks, or even surprise gifts around the house, with each clue bringing them closer to the ultimate treasure. For added fun, create a theme around the hunt, for example, it can be pirates looking for buried treasure or detectives solving a mystery.
A clue can read: “Look where the shoes go to sleep” (leading them to the shoe rack). Each time they discover a clue, they will be one step closer to their prize.
4. Homemade ice cream in a bag
Where:: Kitchen or any surface that can be easily cleaned
How to organise:
What better way to cool down than by making your ice cream right at home? This simple and fun activity only takes a few ingredients and a bit of shaking. In a small zip-lock bag, mix 240 ml of milk, 50g of sugar, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Make homemade ice cream in a bag this summer and enjoy it with your kids
Seal the bag tightly, checking there are no leaks. Then, in a larger zip-lock bag, fill it with ice cubes and 3 tablespoons of salt (this helps the ice cream freeze quicker). Place the smaller bag inside the larger one, seal it, and start shaking.
Ask your kids to shake it for about five to ten minutes, and then the mixture will thicken into your homemade ice cream. You can add chocolate chips, fruit, or any of your favourite toppings for extra flavour.
5. DIY shadow art
Where: A room with plenty of light
How to organise:
Shadow art is a way to explore the concept of light and shadow while having a bit of artistic fun. All you need is a light source (such as a lamp or flashlight) and some toys or objects. Position the objects in front of the light so that their shadows are cast onto the wall or floor.
Introduce your children to basic artistic techniques through DIY shadow art
Have your kids trace the outlines of the shadows onto a piece of paper with a pencil. They can then turn these outlines into full drawings, adding faces, patterns, or imaginative details. Through this, you can introduce your children to basic artistic techniques while also showing how shadows work in the real world.
6. Create a summer scrapbook
Where: Craft table or workspace
How to organise:
Design a summer scrapbook by collecting photos, drawings, postcards, and even small souvenirs (like ticket stubs or pressed flowers). Let your children decorate the pages with stickers, markers, and colourful paper.
This is a wonderful way to preserve memories from summer activities and trips, even if they are happening indoors. Plus, it is a productive way to get them excited about their favourite moments and reflect on their fun-filled days.
Edited by Vidya Gowri
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