Indoor games for kids

Safety first

Clear the floor before you begin. Move toys, cables, bags and anything with sharp edges aside, and leave enough open space for everyone to move without bumping. Play on a non-slip floor, and wear socks with grip or go barefoot on a dry surface. Choose soft items for throwing, passing or hiding, such as cushions, scarves and cloth toys, and avoid glass, small parts that could be swallowed and anything breakable. Walk, do not run, and never carry anything sharp, hard or breakable while moving about. Keep a grown-up nearby, take water breaks, and stop a game if it becomes rough or overexcited. Age hints are only a guide, so you know your child best.

1. Picture treasure hunt

Players: 2 to 4 players.

You need: paper, a pencil and a favourite soft toy to hide.

1. A grown-up or older child hides the soft toy in a safe, easy spot indoors.
2. Draw four or five simple clue pictures on separate slips, such as a window, a cushion or a bookshelf. Each picture shows where the next slip is hidden.
3. Give the first slip to the players, who look at the picture, work out the place and fetch the next slip together.
4. The last slip leads to the hidden toy. Swap roles and play again.

Notice: Which picture was easiest to read, and which one made you stop and think?

2. Freeze dance

Players: 2 to 4 players.

You need: a grown-up to sing, hum or clap the rhythm; no music device is needed.

1. Clear a space about as wide as a rug and move anything hard or pointed out of the way.
2. The caller sings, hums or claps while everyone dances in their own space.
3. When the caller stops, everyone freezes like a statue, as still as they can be.
4. Take turns being the caller. Try new ways to move: slow like a cloud, tiny like an ant, wide like a tree.

Notice: Which freeze pose was the funniest, and which one was the hardest to hold?

3. Memory tray

Players: 2 to 4 players.

You need: a tray or large book, a cloth, and six to eight small safe household items such as a spoon, a sock or a wooden block.

1. One player lays the items on the tray while the others look away.
2. Everyone looks at the tray for twenty slow counts, then the cloth goes over it.
3. Each player says or whispers one item they remember, taking turns until nobody can think of more.
4. Lift the cloth to check. Then one player secretly removes an item and everyone guesses what is missing.

Notice: What helped you remember: colour, shape or making up a little story?

4. Story chain

Players: 2 to 4 players.

You need: nothing at all; a cushion to pass round is optional.

1. The first player starts a story with one sentence, such as: A small blue bird found a key.
2. Pass the cushion to the next player, who adds one sentence.
3. Keep going round until the story has a surprise, then let the last player end it.
4. A grown-up can write down the story, and the children can draw the best part later.

Notice: Which sentence changed the story most?

5. Pass the parcel, no wrapping waste

Players: 3 to 4 players, plus a helper to play the music.

You need: one soft cloth or scarf, a small soft object, and a few paper slips with kind challenges.

1. Fold the soft object inside the cloth and tuck a few slips in the folds. Do not use wrapping paper or tape.
2. Sit in a circle. The helper hums or claps while the cloth bundle passes gently to the left.
3. When the helper stops, the child holding the bundle opens one fold, reads or hears a slip and does the challenge, such as hop twice on the spot, or name three round things.
4. Fold the bundle again with the same cloth and play on. The cloth can be used again next time.

Notice: Which challenge made everyone laugh?

6. Shadow animals

Players: 2 to 4 players.

You need: a lamp or torch, a plain wall, and your hands.

1. Dim the room, and set the lamp on a steady table a little way from the wall. Use a torch or a cool lamp, and keep little hands away from any hot bulb.
2. Make a shape with your hands between the light and the wall, such as a bird, a rabbit or a snail.
3. The others guess the animal, then try to copy it.
4. Take turns. Try making the animal move, or let two players make a pair together.

Notice: Which animal was easiest to make, and which one needed two hands and a friend?

More to do on Rangooo

Plan a longer hunt with treasure hunt ideas, try more listening games, act out roles with pretend play ideas, plan a party with birthday party games, deal a round of easy card games, settle in with cosy winter activities, make up tales with storytelling activities at home, browse more stories and activities, or see resources for teachers.

Questions

How many children do these games need?

Each game works with two to four children and one grown-up helper. With two players, take turns more often; with four, let one child be the caller or hider while the others play.

Do we need to buy anything?

No. Every game uses things already at home, such as paper, a tray, a cloth, a few small household items and a torch or lamp. Nothing needs to be bought, and the pass the parcel version needs no wrapping paper at all.

What age are these games for?

Most suit ages four to eight. Younger children can join with a grown-up whispering clues or helping with turns, while older children can make the clues harder, hide more objects or lead the game.

How can we keep a lively game safe indoors?

Clear the floor of toys, cables and sharp-edged furniture before you start, play in socks or bare feet only on a non-slip surface, and keep to soft items. Stop for a rest and some water whenever the game gets too excited.