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Just on the other side of boredom is… magic.
And chances are you found this article because your child just said, “I’m bored!”
Good news: we’ve got more than 100 quick, simple, screen-free activities you can do right at home. This big list includes indoor ideas, outdoor ideas, creative projects, group games, quiet nighttime activities, and fun options for 9–12-year-olds – all updated for 2025.
Most of them are free.
Most require little to no setup.
And all of them are parent-tested and kid-approved.
Want more ideas? These boredom busters are just one section of our epic list of Fun Things To Do At Home With Kids.
Quick & Easy No-Prep Ideas
Build a Fort
Grab blankets, pillows, chairs, and build a cozy hideout.
Bake Cookies
Turn a slow afternoon into something sweet.
Tell Some Funny Jokes
Try these silly Jokes for Kids for instant giggles.
Play Truth or Dare
Use our list of Truth or Dare Questions for Kids for easy prompts.
Play “Never Have I Ever” for Kids
Get to know each other with our funny Never Have I Ever Questions for Kids..
Play “Most Likely To”
Kids love predicting goofy futures. Try our Most Likely To Questions for Kids for inspiration.
Play “What Am I?” Riddles
Challenge your brain with What Am I? Riddles for Kids.
Learn a Magic Trick
Simple tricks = big reactions.
Put on a Dance Party
Use this list of Kids Dance Songs to get moving.
Play Hide and Seek
Classic, high-energy, and always fun.
Play Keep It Up
Use a balloon or ball and see how long you can keep it off the ground.
Play A Prank
If you love a good laugh, why not have some lighthearted fun with harmless pranks? Check out our roundup of Quick & Easy Pranks for Kids to play on parents & family.
Indoor Activities for Rainy Days
Do a Science Experiment
Try our list of 100 quick & easy science experiments—all doable with household supplies.
Create an Obstacle Course
Use pillows, blankets, cones, and blocks to build a challenge course.
Break Out the Board Games
Monopoly, Blank Slate, Apples to Apples…and everything in between.
Play a Card Game
Try Gin Rummy, War, Speed, or Solitaire for solo play.
Play a Game on FaceTime
Try virtual hide-and-seek, charades, or drawing challenges.
More ideas: FaceTime Games for Kids.
Do a Jigsaw Puzzle
Find affordable choices at thrift stores or dollar shops.
Build a Card House
A test of patience and balance.
Build with Blocks or Magna-Tiles
Create cities, towers, and creatures.
Choreograph a Dance
No TikTok required.
Listen to a Podcast
Try kid-friendly story podcasts while doing chores.
Look Through Old Photo Albums
Kids love seeing their parents “when they were young.”
Draw on the Windows
Dry-erase markers are safe and wipe clean.
Outdoor Activities
Play Hopscotch
Here’s how to play hopscotch if you need a refresher.
Make a Sidewalk Chalk Mural
Try these 25 Fun Sidewalk Chalk Ideas.
Play Outside Games
Tag, Red Light/Green Light, Freeze Dance—always easy to set up.
Time Yourself on a Hula Hoop
Try to beat your record.
Go on a Nature Walk
Fresh air almost always resets the mood.
Take a Bike Ride
Need help picking a bike? Try our guide to best first bikes for kids.
Blow Bubbles
Add food coloring for colorful bubble art.
Trace Your Shadows
On sunny days, trace objects or people.
Paint With Water
A bucket of water + brushes = instant “paint.”
Make Mud Pie
Decorate with rocks, petals, and leaves.
Cloud Meditation
Stare at clouds, breathe, relax.
Creative & Crafty Ideas
Make & Sell Homemade Crafts
Try ideas from our post: Homemade Crafts for Kids to Make and Sell.
(Pro Tip: Keep these craft supplies stocked and you’ll always be ready to fight boredom with a burst of creativity.)
Do Indigo Tie Dye
Check out our favorite Indigo Tie Dye Patterns and Techniques to get inspired.
Learn to Draw
Art for Kids Hub on YouTube is a great resource.
Put on a Sock Puppet Show
Create characters using old socks and craft supplies.
Make Paper Airplanes
Try fun designs and play paper-airplane cornhole.
Create a Time Capsule
Fill it with meaningful items and open in 10+ years.
Tie-Dye Your Clothes
Here are some easy tie dye patterns for kids to try. Once you’re done, learn how to wash your tie-dye shirt for the first time.
Magic Paper Towel Tree
Draw a dry “book,” dip it in water, and watch colors appear.
Paint With Mud
Mix dirt, water, and (optional) food coloring.
Make Homemade Ice Cream
Did you know you can make ice cream at home with simple ingredients that you probably have around the house? Here’s a handy link for making ice Cream in a Bag.
Fun Games to Play at Home
What Am I? Riddles
Challenge your brain with What Am I? Riddles for Kids. These spark critical thinking.
Truth or Dare
Use our list of Truth or Dare Questions for Kids for easy prompts.
Most Likely To
Kids love predicting goofy futures. Try our Most Likely To Questions for Kids for inspiration.
Never Have I Ever
Great icebreaker for kids. Get to know each other with our funny Never Have I Ever Questions for Kids.
Board Games
Family classics like Monopoly and Sorry are fun for all ages.
Card Games
Gin Rummy, War, Peanut Butter (B.S.), Speed.
Ideas for Girls
Friendship Bracelets
A classic craft.
Drawing Tutorials
Art for Kids Hub has endless options.
Tie Dye Projects
Creative + fun to wear.
Dance Party
Try choreographing something new.
Photo Album Walk-Through
Kids love nostalgia.
Quiet Nighttime Activities
Read a Book
Here’s a list of must-read classic children’s books to get you started.
Yoga
Cosmic Kids is great for beginners.
Draw on the Windows
Dry-erase markers are safe and wipe clean.
Look Through Photo Albums
A calm bedtime activity.
Quiet Podcasts
Story podcasts help kids wind down.
Ideas by Age (9-, 10-, 11-, 12-Year-Olds)
Fun Things for 9-Year-Olds
- Sidewalk chalk
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Mud painting
- Yoga
- Fort building
Fun Things for 10-Year-Olds
- Crafting
- Easy science experiments
- Card games
- Drawing tutorials
- Nature walks
Fun Things for 11-Year-Olds
- Most Likely To
- Truth or Dare
- Magic tricks
- Tie dye
- Photo album walk-through
Fun Things for 12-Year-Olds
- Selling homemade crafts
- Choreographing dances
- FaceTime games
- Longer science experiments
- Creative writing or drawing
STEM & Learning Activities
At-Home Science Experiments
Try our huge list of 100 quick, easy science experiments.
Riddles & Brain Teasers
Use our What Am I? riddles to build critical thinking.
Magic Tricks
Learn illusions with everyday materials.
Community Kindness Projects
At-Home Service Projects
Try one of these at-home community service projects for kids.
Kindness Rocks
Paint rocks for neighbors or parks.
Cards for Seniors
Create art to brighten someone’s day.
Do a Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger or treasure hunt can be the perfect antidote to a boring day. There are several pre-made scavenger hunts online or you can create your own list of things to find.
We hope you loved this list of simple ideas and creative activities to help you pass the time when you’re bored.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
