15 Cool & Creative Indoor Activities to Entertain Kids on Hot Days

When the summer heat becomes unbearable, keeping kids entertained indoors can be a challenge, and if you want to avoid screens, it can be even tougher!

The rising temperatures in Summer can make outdoor activities uncomfortable or even unsafe, leaving parents searching for ways to keep their children occupied without resorting to endless screen time. But with a little creativity and planning, those blazing hot days can become opportunities for fun, learning, and more quality family bonding!

Or maybe you’ve been outside in the heat for a few days and it’s time to stay indoors and stay cool. No problem, I’ve got you!

Whether you’re looking to spark their imagination, encourage physical activity, or simply keep them cool, there are plenty of indoor activities that can turn a sweltering day into a memorable one.

From crafting adventures to DIY games, these activities are designed to engage your child’s mind and body, providing hours of entertainment while staying safely out of the sun.

Here are çthat will keep your kids engaged, happy, and maybe even learning something new, all while enjoying the comfort of your home.

15 Cool & Creative Indoor Activities

Indoor Obstacle Course

Transform your living room or basement into an exciting obstacle course using everyday items. Use pillows, chairs, and blankets to create tunnels, climbing foam blocks and shapes, hurdles, and balance beams. Kids can crawl under tables, hop over cushions, and zigzag between chairs. For added fun, time each child to see who can complete the course the fastest.

What You Need – Pillows, chairs, blankets, and household items.

DIY Movie Theater

Bring the magic of the movies home by setting up your own indoor theater. Dim the lights, make some popcorn, and let the kids choose their favorite movie. Create tickets, set up a concession stand with snacks, and enjoy a movie marathon. For an extra special touch, let the kids build a cozy fort to watch from and add a few vintage popcorn boxes to go with the theme for the day!

We pullout bean bag chairs, sleeping bags, even a inflatable camping mattress has been known to make its way into our living room here and there.

What You Need – A TV or projector, blankets, pillows, popcorn, snacks, and craft supplies for tickets.

Indoor Scavenger Hunt

Keep kids busy with an indoor scavenger hunt. Create a list of items for them to find around the house, like a red book, a shiny object, or something that starts with the letter “B.” You can also add clues that lead to the next item for a treasure hunt twist. Reward the kids with a small prize or treat at the end.

Grab a printable two-page indoor scavenger hunt here.

What You Need – A list of household items and clues.

Art and Craft Extravaganza

Set up an art station with various supplies like paper, markers, crayons, and glue (or keep a large craft kit like this on hand for days just like this.) Encourage your kids to get creative with drawing, painting, or crafting. Try specific projects like making homemade greeting cards, decorating picture frames, or creating a family mural. You can even try recycled crafts using old magazines, toilet paper rolls, and cardboard boxes.

What You Need – Paper, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, and recyclable materials.

Indoor Mini Golf

Create a mini golf course in your home using household items. If you don’t have a small foam putting green on hand (most of us don’t), you can use books as obstacles, cups as holes, and toy golf clubs or a homemade club made from cardboard and tape. Set up a course in different rooms and let the kids play through. It’s a fun and active way to keep them moving indoors.

What You Need – Books, cups, kid’s golf clubs or cardboard, tape, and balls.

Kitchen Science Experiments

Turn your kitchen into a mini science lab with simple experiments that kids will love. Try making a baking soda and vinegar volcano, creating slime, or experimenting with density by layering liquids. Not only are these activities fun, but they’re also educational, sparking curiosity and learning.

Here are over 50 activities & science experiments perfect for Summer!

What You Need – Baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, corn starch, dish soap, and other common kitchen items.

Indoor Camping

Set up a campsite right in your living room. Pitch a tent or build a fort with blankets and pillows. Make it cozy with sleeping bags, flashlights, and snacks. You can even make a pretend campfire or take it one step further by toasting marshmallows over the stove or making s’mores with a s’more making set. End the day with campfire stories or a nature-themed movie.

What You Need – Blankets, pillows, indoor playhouse or tent, flashlights, sleeping bags, marshmallows, and snacks.

Dance Party and Freeze Dance

Get the kids moving with an indoor dance party. Create a playlist of their favorite songs, and let them dance away. You can also play freeze dance—pause the music at random times, and everyone must freeze in place until the music starts again. It’s a great way to burn off energy and have a lot of laughs.

You can also shut the blinds and make the space dark, snap a few glow sticks or turn on flashlights for a dance in the dark party!

What You Need – A music playlist, a speaker, and space to dance and get energy out.

Indoor Gardening

Bring a bit of the outdoors inside with an indoor gardening project. Plant seeds in small pots or recycled containers, and let the kids water and care for them. Herbs, flowers, or even small vegetables can be grown indoors with the right lighting. It’s a relaxing and educational activity that teaches patience and responsibility.

What You Need – Pots, soil, seeds, and water or a kid’s growing kit (this root viewer kit is cool!)

DIY Ice Cream Parlor

Create a fun and interactive snack time by setting up an indoor ice cream parlor. Let the kids scoop their own ice cream and choose from a variety of toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, and fruit. They can get creative with sundae combinations or even try making their own ice cream with a simple no-churn recipe.

What You Need – Ice cream or ice cream maker (this is the ice cream maker we have and works great!) toppings, bowls, spoons, and possibly ingredients for homemade ice cream.

Storytelling and Puppet Shows

Encourage creativity and storytelling with a puppet show. Use old socks or paper bags to create puppets, and let the kids come up with their own stories or re-enact their favorite tales. Set up a small stage using a cardboard box or behind the couch, and enjoy the show!

What You Need – Socks, paper bags or puppet kit, markers, and craft supplies.

Puzzle and Game Day

Break out the puzzles and board games for a day of family fun. Choose games that are age-appropriate and can involve the whole family. Whether it’s a classic board game, a challenging puzzle, or a fun card game, it’s a great way to spend quality time together and keep everyone engaged.

Here are some helpful resources for you – Best Board Games for Kids and Families to Play Together and 20 Easy & Fun Minute to Win it Family Games for Kids

What You Need – Puzzles, board games, and card games.

Indoor Obstacle Course for the Mind

Engage your kids’ minds with mental challenges like brain teasers, riddles, and puzzles. Set up stations where they can solve a riddle, complete a puzzle, or find the answer to a brain teaser. Reward them with small treats or a fun activity once they complete the course.

What You Need – Riddles, brain teasers, puzzles, and small rewards.

Balloon Tennis

Turn your living room into a mini tennis court with a balloon and some fly swatters or paper plate paddles. Blow up a balloon, set up a “net” using a piece of string, and let the kids play tennis indoors without worrying about breaking anything. It’s a fun, active game that’s easy to set up and play.

What You Need – Balloons, fly swatters or paper plates on a stick, and string.

Create a DIY Spa Day

Help your kids relax and unwind with a DIY spa day. Set up stations for hand massages, face masks (using kid-friendly ingredients like yogurt and honey), and foot baths. You can even let the kids paint their nails or create their own bath bombs. It’s a fun way to teach self-care while having a pampering session together.

As a holistic household, we like to use natural ingredients like honey and oatmeal and avoid products with fragrance, including Epsom salts and personal care products.

What You Need – Yogurt, honey, non-toxic nail polish, foot baths, and other spa supplies.

In Conclusion…

When the summer heat forces everyone indoors, there’s no need for boredom.

With these 15 creative indoor activities, you can keep your kids entertained, engaged, and cool all day long. From setting up an indoor camping site to hosting a DIY ice cream parlor, these easy-to-source ideas will make scorching hot days enjoyable and memorable.

So gather your supplies, get creative, and turn those indoor hours into fun-filled adventures!

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15 Creative Indoor Activities to Keep Kids Cool & Entertained During Scorching Hot Days