• Fun activities for kids at home and in the backyard

    Play and movement 

    Published 2025-03-20

    Some days at home feel like you’re on repeat – same toys, same routines, same “I’m bored!” But with a sprinkle of creativity, even the simplest day can turn into an adventure. Here are fifteen fun and low-prep activities for kids that bring big energy and happy chaos into your home or backyard!

    Crafts with kids – simple joy with paper and glue

    Colorful animal characters made from toilet paper rolls – fun crafts for kids at home.
    A girl making a pasta necklace with her mom – creative and easy activities for kids at home.
    1. Toilet paper roll animals
      Save those empty rolls and transform them into lions, rockets or silly monsters. Add googly eyes, scraps of paper and all the glitter your heart desires. It’s a super easy way to spark creativity – and maybe even create a mini zoo on the windowsill.
    2. Ice cube painting
      Freeze watercolor in ice cube trays and let your little artist paint with the melting colors. This sensory craft is perfect for hot days outdoors – or just a magical moment in the kitchen.
    3. Pasta bead necklaces
      Color dry pasta using food coloring, let it dry, then thread it into fun necklaces or bracelets. Great for motor skills and even better as a handmade gift for Grandma.

    Baking with kids – sweet, sticky together time

    1.  Two-ingredient banana pancakes
      One banana, two eggs – that’s it! Let your little chef mash, stir and maybe even flip. Top with berries or cinnamon for extra smiles.
    2. Decorate-your-own cookies
      Use simple biscuits or bake your own, then bring out the decorations: melted chocolate, sprinkles, raisins, or anything fun. You can even host a cookie contest for “silliest face” or “most colorful creation”.
    3. Mini pizzas with maximum fun
      Let kids choose their own toppings for tortilla-based mini pizzas. Cheese, sauce, and imagination – what more could a tiny chef ask for?

    Imaginative indoor games for kids

    1. Treasure hunt in the living room
      Hide small surprises and create clues using drawings or rhymes. Add some challenge by placing tasks at each step – jump like a frog or roar like a lion!
    2. Blanket fort magic
      Throw some chairs and blankets together and voilà – you’ve got your own fortress of fun! Perfect for reading stories, eating snacks or whispering secrets by flashlight.
    3. Dress-up play from mom’s closet
      Let the kids dig through your old clothes, shoes and hats. From pirate to pop star, every outfit gets a mini runway show (bonus points for theme music!).
    Father and daughter doing a homemade theater performance – imaginative indoor play for children.
    Mom and daughter playing in a blanket and chair fort – cozy indoor play idea for rainy days.

    Indoor activities that get bodies moving

    1. Living room dance party
      Crank up the music and move like nobody’s watching! Try a dance-off, freeze dance, or themed moves like “dance like a robot”.
    2. Sensory bottles to shake and stare at
      Fill a plastic bottle with water, glitter, beads or oil – then shake, spin and stare. It’s calming, fascinating and totally mess-free.
    3. Soft obstacle course with cushions
      Stack cushions and blankets into a safe indoor obstacle path. Crawl under, roll over, jump across – it’s like your very own Leo’s adventure park, right in the living room!
    Girl drawing on the pavement with sidewalk chalk – creative outdoor activity for kids.

    Backyard fun – outdoor play ideas for kids

    1. Super-size soap bubbles
      Mix up your own bubble solution and try to make the biggest bubbles ever! Use different shapes and tools to experiment – it’s messy, but totally worth it.
    2. Sidewalk chalk city
      Draw roads, houses, or even a zoo on your driveway or patio. Then hop on a scooter or bike and “drive” through the city you built together!
    3. Water bottle bowling
      Line up empty bottles and try knocking them down with a ball or water blaster. Want extra challenge? Assign each bottle points and make it a mini tournament.

    Ready to try something completely different?

    If you’ve done every craft, climbed every couch, and still have energy to burn – come play at Leo’s!

    Leo’s is a giant indoor adventure park where kids can climb the volcano, bounce on the trampoline, slide down the waterfall, and dive into the ball pit. There’s room to run wild, let loose and play your way – no planning needed. And when little legs get tired, Leo’s Bistro is ready with tasty treats.

    Find your nearest Leo’s and book a playtime – let the jumping begin!

    Find the nearest Leo's

    What matters most? Playing together.

    Whether you’re rolling on a pillow track or zooming through Leo’s jungle, the real magic is in the laughter, the movement, and the moments you share. So let’s play – wherever you are today.