The weather has changed, the outdoor plan has disappeared and somebody has already said they are bored.
Start with three questions:
How much time have you got? How much energy needs using? How much clearing up can you face?
Choose a row below and try one activity. You can always choose again afterwards.
Pick your starting point
| Your situation | Try this |
|---|---|
| Five minutes, very little preparation | The mystery object |
| Ten minutes, quiet play | A six-panel comic |
| Fifteen minutes, plenty of energy | An indoor movement trail |
| Twenty minutes, happy to make some mess | Scrap-paper collage |
| Half an hour, something to do together | A family quiz |
| A longer stretch, imaginative play | A pretend café |
The mystery object
Choose an everyday object and hide it in a bag. Give three clues about its shape, texture or purpose.
Everyone else guesses what it is. Then swap roles.
For younger children, use familiar objects and let them ask questions.
A six-panel comic
Divide a sheet of paper into six boxes.
Draw a character who finds something unexpected. Use the next four boxes to show what happens, then finish the story in the final box.
Stick figures are welcome. So are speech bubbles containing nothing but “Oops!”
An indoor movement trail
Create a short route in a clear space:
- March on the spot.
- Stretch towards the ceiling.
- Walk around a cushion.
- Balance briefly like a flamingo.
- Finish with a quiet superhero pose.
Adapt movements for the people joining in. Keep the route away from stairs, breakables and slippery surfaces.
Scrap-paper collage
Gather unwanted paper, old envelopes and suitable packaging. Tear or cut shapes and arrange them into a creature, house or imaginary garden.
Use age-appropriate scissors and supervise as needed. Arranging the pieces without glue makes it easy to reuse them.
A family quiz
Each person invents three questions. Include something everybody has a chance of knowing: a family pet’s favourite spot, a familiar story or the colour of the front door.
Take turns being quizmaster.
A pretend café
Make a menu, name the café and take turns ordering. Use paper food, toy food or drawings.
Older children can add prices and work out a bill. Younger children can focus on greeting customers and remembering orders.
If nothing appeals
Offer two specific choices: “Would you like the mystery game or the café?”
Or leave a little room for doing very little. A rainy afternoon does not need a packed timetable.
