Fun Indoor Activities for the Whole Family

Daily playtime has a significant influence on parent-child relationships, as found in recent research by J Rayment. For children under the age of two, the link between play and relationship quality is key, since this is the time when children are forming their primary attachment relationships. However, as children grow older, play continues to be a way to bond with parents in a fun, non-achievement-focused manner. Whether it is raining where you live right now or you are looking for fun activities to enjoy when the summer is over, read on to discover a few ideas that both adults and children may enjoy.

Building an Indoor Fort

Whether your kids love a game of Jenga or they are into reading (or listening to you read) stories, building an indoor blanket tent is a great way to make an activity more special. Children naturally take to treehouses, forts, and other spaces from which they can view the world while feeling safe and unobserved. To build your tent or fort, you can simply connect a large, fine blanket to two high pieces of furniture (think bookshelves, storage furniture, and the like). Try to think beyond the basic square shape. Just a few cute shapes you might like to try out include teepees, canopies, and hidden fortresses. Once your basic structure is set up, place beanbags, cushions, and quilts inside the structure so kids can feel comfortable. Decorate your fort with artwork and fairy lights and don't forget to capture the moment on your camera.

Cooking Up a Storm

Around seven in 10 people say they plan on cooking/preparing food at home more in the long-term, which is great news for parents wishing to instil healthy eating habits in kids. Children love preparing treats like chocolate, cookies, and cakes and you can take advantage of this fact by choosing healthy ingredients and easy recipes children can recreate by themselves if they are old enough. Just a few ideas include raw chocolate with nuts and dried fruit, chia seed pudding with fruits and nuts, raw apple pie, and carrot cake made with olive oil and sweetened with applesauce or maple syrup. During food preparation, children can learn how to make traditional dishes using healthy ingredients and cooking methods.

Integrating Art and Science

If your kids love creative pursuits, then you may already have a few canvases set up or a playroom full of colorful materials. Children may also enjoy art sessions that incorporate learning about science as well. For instance, your children may enjoy making finger paint from flower petals (made by boiling petals then pressing the petals with a mortar and pestle), or creating their own panpipe using bamboo of different lengths. The latter will teach children about frequencies and how to change them by cutting their pipes into specific lengths. You don't need to stop at science, of course; history, math, and music are a few other subjects you can incorporate into your next parent-child creativity session.

Rainy days and weekends always offer opportunities for parents and children to spend time together. Instead of spending the day staring at a screen, why not plan a few activities the whole family can partake in? From fort building to cooking and artistic creation, there are so many fun activities that can help promote relaxation and mindfulness while also helping to build cherished memories.