Stuck inside with your preschooler a lot these days? Yeah, me too.
It’s 2021 — not exactly party time. School is still virtual here, I have a baby that makes outings trickier, and in many places it’s simply too cold to play outside. To help, I put together this list of fun, easy indoor preschool activities you can try when you’re tired of screens or feeling guilty about too much television. These ideas are meant to burn off energy, spark imagination, and make staying inside more manageable.
P.S. You’re doing a great job.
I hope a few of these activities break up your day. Some may already be in your routine, and others might be new. Preschoolers have endless energy, and these activities aim to help them get the wiggles out while staying indoors.
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Jumping Activities
Jumping is simple, fun, and tiring — perfect for active preschoolers. An indoor trampoline is a great option if you have the space, but there are plenty of low-cost alternatives below.
Indoor Preschool Activity 1: Flash Card Jumps
Use number flashcards or write numbers 1–10 on paper and cut them into cards. Hold up a card and have your child identify the number, then jump that many times. Or place cards on the floor and have them jump from card to card in order.
Indoor Preschool Activity 2: Balloon Jumps
Hang a balloon from the ceiling or doorway and challenge your child to jump high enough to touch it. Supervise closely—deflated or popped balloons can be a choking hazard.
Indoor Preschool Activity 3: Hopscotch
Create a hopscotch on the floor using masking or painter’s tape. A simple layout works fine, and you can add numbers or dots for counting practice.
Indoor Preschool Activity 4: Jumping Obstacle Course
Instead of stopping risky jumping, channel it into a course. Use blocks, stuffed animals, or cushions spaced for safe landings. Arrange a path through the living room that ends at a cozy landing like a toddler lounger.
On-the-move Fun and Easy Preschool Activities
Moving and dancing are excellent ways to use up energy and boost mood.
Indoor Preschool Activity 5: The Floor is Lava!
A classic: use pillows, cushions, and furniture as safe “islands” so kids avoid touching the floor while they hop from spot to spot.
Indoor Preschool Activity 6: Indoor ‘Snowball’ Fight
Use soft fake snowballs or crumpled paper for a gentle indoor snowball fight. It’s a great way to be silly and active without needing real snow.
Indoor Preschool Activity 7: Don’t Let the Balloon Touch the Floor
Hit a balloon back and forth like volleyball, keeping it from touching the ground. It’s simple, energetic, and usually leads to giggles.
Indoor Preschool Activity 8: Letter Stomp
Write letters on sheets of paper (start with a few like A, B, C or letters in your child’s name). Have your child identify and stomp or jump on the requested letter. As they get older, you can use the game for spelling practice.
Indoor Preschool Activity 9: Dance Party!
Turn on favorite songs and dance together. Choose kid-friendly playlists and mix in a Freeze Dance game where everyone stops when the music pauses.
Indoor Preschool Activity 10: Dance/Workout Video
Put on an energetic dance or fitness video and let your child copy the moves. Younger kids love the visual cues and will mimic jumping, running in place, and other basic exercises.
Indoor Preschool Activity 11: Paper Airplanes
Fold simple paper airplanes and throw them. Encourage your child to chase their plane so the activity combines crafting and movement. See how far the planes fly and experiment with different folds.
Indoor Preschool Activity 12: Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts can be zero-prep—ask your child to find items of a certain color or shape. With a few minutes of prep, hide simple puzzle pieces or toys and have them search the room.
Indoor Preschool Activity 13: Make an Instrument or Noisemaker
Create a shaker by filling a dry, empty water bottle with uncooked rice and taping the lid securely. Or turn a tissue box into a simple guitar by stretching rubber bands around it. These homemade instruments are great for a parade around the house.
Indoor Preschool Activity 14: Bowling
Set up plastic cups or empty bottles as pins and roll a ball to knock them down. Let your child arrange the pins to add an extra active step. Lighter “pins” keep the game safe for indoor play.
Brain Building, Sensory, and Imaginative Play Activities
Sometimes children need calmer, focused play. These activities build fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and imagination.
Indoor Preschool Activity 15: Cup Stack
Stacking cups develops coordination and patience. Simple plastic cups work well and older preschoolers can build taller structures before the satisfying moment of knocking them down.
Indoor Preschool Activity 16: Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are easy to assemble: choose a container and a medium such as oats, rice, beans, or water, then add scoops, cups, and small toys for exploration. They’re quick to set up and can hold attention for a long time.
Indoor Preschool Activity 17: Create a Blanket Fort
Blanket forts are timeless. Drape sheets over furniture or use a table to build a cozy hideout. Add pillows and a flashlight for reading or imaginative play.
Indoor Preschool Activity 18: Car Wash
Use the sink and a step stool to let your child wash washable toys with soapy water. Supervise to avoid submerging toys that can trap water and grow mold; pick items that dry easily.
Indoor Preschool Activity 19: Puzzles
Puzzles strengthen problem-solving and concentration. Offer age-appropriate puzzles and rotate them to keep things fresh and engaging.
Indoor Preschool Activity 20: Boxes
Cardboard boxes spark creativity. Turn boxes into cars, houses, or tunnels. Let your child decorate a box with crayons or stickers for added imaginative play.
What are your favorite fun and easy indoor preschool activities for your little one?
