Bridge Go Fish Poker Solitaire War
Battleship Checkers or Chinese Checkers Chess Monopoly Risk
20 questions Charades (if it’s dark, play it with shadow puppets instead) I-spy Old-school games, like dominos, jacks, pick-up sticks, and tumbling towers/Jenga
If you have glowsticks and glowstick necklaces, start up a game of ring toss. If you have enough flashlights and players, play flashlight tag. Play Charades using a flashlight and shadow puppets. Put on a puppet show using shadow puppets.
Pretend that you are camping. Tell some ghost stories, and sing campfire songs. Play some card games or board games inside your tent or fort.
If you just read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, you can have the kids made a “next” page in the story by gluing pieces of colored paper onto printer paper. If you read The Rainbow Fish, have the kids cut a fish out of purple or blue paper, and then decorate it using glitter glue. If it’s dark, don’t fret. Light a candle, and get cozy with a blanket and your favorite book.
Write a letter to a relative. Write a list. The list can be on anything, from shopping lists to foods that are blue. Play word-games like Hangman or Mad Libs. If you don’t like to write, draw a picture instead.
If you are feeling restless, try singing or dancing along to your favorite songs.
Do some drawing or coloring. If you own some paints and a canvas, you can also try painting instead. Make some crafty items, such as yarn dolls or duct tape wallets. Try knitting, crochet, or embroidery. A simple scarf or potholder will usually take 2 to 3 hours. Make something out of clay or play-doh.
Bike ride Jogging Jumping jacks Stretches or yoga Walk around the block If you live in a good neighborhood and the weather is nice, send the kids outside to play. [6] X Research source
Batteries expire. Check your stash every year and throw out any that have leaked or expired. Candles made from liquid paraffin are smokeless and odorless. They are great for indoors. [9] X Research source Get some of those solar-powered garden lights. Charge them during the day, then use them at night. You can hold them, or prop them up in jars. Glow sticks don’t offer much light (at least not enough to read by) but they can be fun to play with.
Sketch books, coloring books, activity books, or notebooks Pens, pencils, coloring pencils, crayons, or markers Scrapbooks and scrap-booking supplies Glitter and glue Glow-in-the-dark paints Colorful yarn, knitting needles/crochet hooks
A special light-up toy that the kid can draw on or play with A packet of glow-sticks is a safe bet for just about any child Glow-in-the-dark paint and glitter will make even nighttime crafting fun Arts and crafts kits
