10 Awesome Indoor Games to Keep Kids Entertained
As a parent, I know how challenging it can be to keep kids entertained indoors—especially on rainy days or during long stretches at home.
After sharing ideas with other parents and testing countless activities with our own kids, we've put together a list of 10 indoor games that are fun, engaging, and a fresh twist on the classics like hide-and-seek and Simon Says. These are the ones that truly spark curiosity while keeping kids happily busy.
1. Kim's Game
How to Play
To begin with, I select 10–15 things around the house such as spoons, toy cars, pens, and rubber bands. These items are placed on a tray and I ask my child to examine them for 30 seconds. At the end, the tray is covered, and I share my child's memory of all the objects on the tray that he/ she memorizes with words or speaks out.
Why It's Great
- Quick and straightforward to establish
- One can be by oneself or make it a party game
- Difficulties can be increased by more items in the set
Skills Built
- Retention
- Penetration
- Inquisitiveness into minutia
2. Red Light, Green Light
How to Play
Choose one player to be the "robot." The robot stands facing a wall with their back to the rest of the players. Everyone else starts at the opposite end of the room.
When the robot calls out "Green light," the players move forward. When the robot yells "Red light," they must freeze immediately. If the robot turns around and sees anyone still moving, that player must go back to the starting line. The first player to reach and tag the robot wins and becomes the new robot.
Pro Tips
Sometimes we use funny robot language and add some drama by posing strange objects, which makes the game even more fun!
Skills Built
- Listening
- Self-management
- Reaction time
3. Dalgona Candy Challenge (Paper Version)
How to Play
Draw fun shapes like stars or umbrellas on thick paper or cardboard. Give each child a toothpick and have them trace along the outline of the shape without lifting the toothpick or tearing the paper.
The goal is to stay on the lines as carefully as possible from start to finish. It’s a fun way to build focus and fine motor skills—with a tricky twist!
Bonus Tips
Use colorful cardboard for extra excitement!
Skills Built
- Fine motor skills
- Patience
- Concentration
4. Pilolo (Speed Treasure Hunt)
How to Play
One player hides small objects like coins or erasers while others close their eyes. When they shout "Pilolo!", everyone races to find the hidden treasures. The player who finds the most wins.
Setup Tips
- Use a single room or hallway
- Make sure hidden items are small and safe
Skills Built
- Quick thinking
- Observation
- Agility
5. The Floor Is Lava – Memory Edition
How to Play
Create a path using paper squares or foam tiles. Some tiles are "safe," others are not. Show the safe path once. Then, players must walk it from memory without stepping on the wrong spots.
Spice It Up
Add a timer or play in teams, where one teammate gives verbal guidance.
Skills Built
- Memory
- Balance
- Strategy
6. Hana, Hana, Hana, Bi! (A Fun Game from Japan)
How to Play
One player chants "Hana, hana, hana…" while pointing to different body parts. On "Bi!", they touch a body part (like an ear), and everyone else must quickly copy. Mess up? You're out!
Best With
Groups of 3 or more. Perfect for high-energy play.
Skills Built
- Coordination
- Reaction time
- Focus
Hands-on ability is also key to children's development. We recommend these summer parent-child craft activities to help them develop creativity through games.
7. Marble Guessing Game
How to Play
Each player starts with 5 marbles (or coins/buttons). One player hides 1–5 marbles in a closed fist. The other guesses whether the number is even or odd. Guess right? They win that many marbles. Guess wrong? They lose that many.
End Goal
Play until someone collects all the marbles or time runs out.
Skills Built
- Logic
- Strategy
- Mental math
8. Memory Maze (Inspired by the Glass Bridge)
Setup
- Create a simple "bridge" using two rows of paper squares or floor tiles (e.g., pieces of tape, cardboard, or pillows) laid out in pairs.
- One square in each pair is the "safe" step, the other is the "breakable" one (just pretend—it's all safe!).
- Secretly mark the correct path (the "safe" squares) beforehand. Only the game leader knows it.
- Spatial memory
- Sequencing
- Patience
- Visual memory
- Creativity
- Focus
- Sensory awareness
- Teamwork
- Drawing skills
How to Play
Players take turns trying to cross the bridge by stepping on one square from each pair. If they step on a "safe" square, they move forward. If they step on a "breakable" one, they're out (or return to the start).
The next player starts over, but must remember the correct path revealed by others before them. The game continues until someone reaches the end of the maze!
Tip
Make it more exciting by timing the players or adding music!
Skills Built
9. Whisper Chain Drawing
How to Play
One kid will draw a simple image (like a cat or a box) and will show it to the next player for 3 seconds. The other kid has to quickly draw it on his paper from memory and show it to the next person, and so on. The final player draws the final image he can remember and guesses what the original was.
It's Like
The Telephone Game, but with drawings—funny results guaranteed.
Skills Built
10. Back Drawing Relay
How to Play
Kids stand in a line. The last person draws a shape on the back of the person in front using a finger or capped pen. Each player tries to replicate the shape on the next person until it reaches the front, where the final drawing is done on paper.
The Result
Compare the final drawing to the original—it's always hilarious.
Skills Built
Let kids enjoy indoor fun—while you stay in control. AirDroid helps you monitor usage, block distractions, and build healthy routines.
Final Thoughts
This list skips the overused classics and brings in a creative mix of educational and fun activities. These aren't just time-killers—they boost memory, coordination, and creative thinking.
Best part? You don't need expensive toys to keep kids happy indoors. No fancy gear or big mess. Most of what you need is already at home. When you find your favorite indoor game, share it with other parents or save it for the next rainy day!

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