Indoor Summer Activities for Kids to Beat the Heat

When the temps outside feel like a hair dryer and the playground swings are too hot to touch, it’s time to bring the fun indoors. Whether you’ve got toddlers, big kids, or the whole crew climbing the walls, these fun indoor activities for families will help keep everyone cool and entertained.

14 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids to Keep Summer Fun Going (Inside)

1. Do an Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Hide items around the house, create simple picture clues or riddles, and let the search begin. Check out these great toddler scavenger hunt ideas for inspo!

2. Try a Science Experiment
From baking soda volcanos to making slime that glows, there are endless fun ways to sneak in some STEM while staying cool.

3. Break Out the Board Games
A solid indoor children's activity that doubles as family bonding. Pick a favorite or let your kids invent their own rules. This list from Home And On The Way features a number of toddler-safe board games. 

4. Build a Best-Ever Blanket Fort
Layer the blankets, string the fairy lights, and declare it an off-limits grown-up zone. Bonus points for snacks and stuffed animal guest lists.

5. Make Slime
Messy? Absolutely. Worth it? Also yes. Let them mix their own colors and textures, then store it for repeat play. Stick to an easy recipe like this one to make this activity that much more fun!

6. Build a Rube Goldberg Machine
Chain reactions, rolling marbles, and pure chaos in the best way. Use anything from dominoes to toy cars to build a machine that flips a light switch or rings a bell. See more ideas here!

7. Turn Up the Dance Party
A no-prep, energy-burning lifesaver. Crank the tunes and dance it out in the living room.

8. Do Karaoke
Pull up a lyric video and let your kids take center stage. From Frozen ballads to Beatles classics, anything goes.

9. Play Hide and Seek
Still undefeated. Great for toddlers and big kids alike. Just maybe skip the laundry hamper.

10. Explore Virtual Activities
No plane ticket needed. Visit animals through the Bronx Zoo Live Cams, dive into ocean life with the Georgia Aquarium, or explore far-off places with a virtual tour of the Great Wall. Museums, aquariums, and cultural centers around the world offer incredible online options.

11. Have a Movie Marathon
Pick a theme - superheroes, animated classics, nature docs - and build the day around it. Don’t forget the popcorn.

12. Build an Indoor Obstacle Course
Use pillows, chairs, tape, and creativity to design a course that challenges balance, crawling, and jumping. Timed runs optional.

13. Try Yoga for Kids
Search "kids yoga" on YouTube for quick, silly, movement-based videos perfect for quiet time or winding down.

14. Set Up an Arts & Crafts Station
Keep a corner stocked with crayons, construction paper, stickers, and glue. Let kids create freely (and accept that glitter may be involved).

Fun Things to Do Indoors Near Me (When You Need to Get Out Without Going Outside)

Need an air-conditioned change of scenery? Try these indoor summer activities outside of the house:

• Local libraries: Many host indoor children’s activities like storytime and craft hours. Discover your local library with this Library Finder. 

• Children’s museums: Hands-on exhibits = tired kids and quiet car rides home. Find a children’s museum near you with this easy to navigate tool. 

• Indoor play gyms: Great for toddlers and young kids to burn off energy safely. Check out this list of 50 indoor play gym recommendations. 

• Community centers: Check their summer schedule for indoor kids’ programs or drop-in events.

If you’re heading out with a little one in tow, a lightweight, compact stroller is your best friend for zipping around tight spaces. Bombi’s stroller lineup is made for real-life parenting: easy to fold, a dream to maneuver, and comfy enough for long naps in the A/C.

The Last Word on Summer Indoor Activities for Kids

Summer doesn’t have to mean constant outings, melting popsicles, or midday sunscreen battles. With a few solidindoor children's activities  - and maybe a handful of pipe cleaners and snacks - you can turn even the hottest days into something kind of wonderful. Or at the very least, less sweaty.