We’ve all had those days when we’re stuck at home—whether it’s bad weather, waiting for a delivery, or trying to save money. Recently, I was stuck at home with my 9-year-old because he was ill. He had been sick, so the school wouldn’t let him return for 48 hours, but he wasn’t unwell enough to stay in bed all day.
The first day was boring. We couldn’t go out, I didn’t want him playing computer games all day, and I didn’t get anything done—which I hate! So that evening, I decided to plan the next day with a list of ideas we could pick from to make it more enjoyable.
My plan
I thought about his interests, recent activities he had enjoyed, and what we already had at home. Then, using these ideas, I created a list of options he could choose from:
- Watching a documentary
- Drawing tutorial on you tube
- Using the laptop to write a story
- Reading
- Football quiz
- Wordle
- Maths app
- Hangman ( or house as we call it to be more PC!)
- Make a fantasy football team
- Music quiz
- Board game
- Colouring
- Hama beads
A much better day
The second day was so much better. He started with some TV, then we played a few games.
First, we played Guess Who, and he talked about different strategies to help him win—it was fun and made us think.
Next, we played Jenga, where he suggested challenges and variations. Then, he spent 20 minutes using the blocks to build towers, create patterns, and set up a domino rally. This was great for problem-solving and resilience, as he had to keep resetting the dominoes when they fell too soon.
After that, we did a world map puzzle with flags along the bottom. We discussed strategies, divided up sections, and worked together as a team.
Later, he did some drawing, and we played a few rounds of Wordle, which became surprisingly addictive!
In the afternoon, we watched a documentary about the sea, which sparked lots of interesting conversations. While it was on, we also talked about the weather as it rained and hailed outside.
By the end of the day, he told me he’d had a really nice day—and honestly, I had too. Plus, despite not being at school a lot of learning had taken place!
Planning your own day of indoor fun
Having a plan acts as a safety net—it’s better to plan than to waste time wondering what to do. It doesn’t matter if everything on your list doesn’t get done; the ideas will still be there for next time. I always over plan so we never run out of options, and I include a mix of activities because sometimes what I think they’ll enjoy doesn’t interest them at all!
- Follow their interest – Start with what they already enjoy. If it’s an activity you want to do, that’s fine—but be prepared for them to be less enthusiastic! Think about what they’ve been interested in recently. For example, my son had been really into drawing and colouring, so I added that to our list and extended it by including a drawing tutorial.
- Predict how long activities will take – Be realistic! Some activities seem like they’ll take ages but actually last only five minutes. This is why I over plan—so there’s always another option ready. If something takes longer than expected or they get really into it, that’s a bonus! You might even discover a new hobby to explore another day.
- Look fir inspiration online – There’s no shortage of ideas online! You don’t have to follow them exactly—adapt them to suit your child’s interests and the resources you have at home. Also, don’t expect everything to look like the perfectly styled photos you see on Pinterest. It’s important to manage expectations, both for yourself and your child, so the focus stays on fun, not perfection.
- Gather resources in advance – There’s nothing worse than getting excited about an activity only to realize you don’t have the materials you need. Scrambling to find paints, Play-Doh, or elastic bands while your child loses interest is frustrating for everyone. A little preparation saves time and keeps things running smoothly.
- Be flexible and let activities evolve – Sometimes, an activity won’t go as planned—and that’s okay! If it takes a new direction, embrace it. Creativity often leads to unexpected but fun results. Plus, if you don’t get to an idea on your list, it’s still there for another day.
More ideas
Planning doesn’t have to take ages—just jot down some ideas and make sure you have the necessary supplies. Everyone enjoys different things, so be ready to adapt. I always include a mix of familiar activities and new ones—they might not ask to try something unfamiliar, but that doesn’t mean they won’t love it! Some ideas might be;
- Take a virtual tour on YouTube (museums, aquariums, or historical sites)
- Puzzles (jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, logic puzzles)
- Clean, tidy, or declutter (make it a challenge or game)
- Put on a show (puppet theater, talent show, or improv)
- Bake or cook (or set up a pretend café or restaurant)
- Crafts (painting, origami, DIY projects) There are some great ideas at http://www.redtedart.com or http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk
- Karaoke or music games
- Read
- Multiplayer computer games (family-friendly options)
- Learn something new (a skill, language, or trivia)
- Word searches, crossword puzzles, or puzzle books
By having plenty of options, you can choose what works best in the moment—and if something doesn’t go as planned, you’ll have plenty more to fall back on.
A little planning made all the difference. Next time we’re stuck inside, I’ll be ready with another list of ideas to keep things fun, engaging, and stress-free!
Leave a Reply