Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for summer
We’re introducing indoor games and activities perfect for kids in the summer! When you think of summer, many people probably picture outdoor fun like swimming at the beach, playing in rivers, or going camping.
However, it’s not realistic to go out every day during the holidays, and in recent years the extreme heat has made it difficult to spend time outdoors.
Considering children’s safety, it’s not easy to just say, “Go play outside!” For parents in that situation, we’ve gathered a list of indoor activities that are perfect for summer and fun to enjoy together with your kids.
With a bit of creativity, you can enjoy all kinds of play even indoors.
We hope you find these ideas helpful!
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Indoor summer-friendly activities and recreation games (1–10)
Sinking Game
It’s a “Sinking Game,” where you pretend the room is the ocean and run around to escape from a shark.
If you’re the shark, make sure to really hype everyone up! Lay down mats in the room to act as boats.
When the shark shouts, “Sinking!” the children must jump onto the mat boats.
You can also change the rules, like preparing “islands” made from hula hoops.
If the shark shouts other words that start with the same sound as “sinking,” the kids don’t have to move—so they’ll practice careful listening, too.
Fizz and pop! Make your own bath bombs
Let’s try making bath bombs—a fun and rewarding activity where you can enjoy both the process of making and the joy of using them! The basic ingredients are baking soda, citric acid, water, and, if you want to add color, food coloring; for fragrance, prepare essential oils.
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly, mist with water little by little to bring the mixture together, press it firmly into a mold, and let it dry for a day—that’s it.
You can make lots using cute silicone molds from a 100-yen shop and give them as gifts to your friends, too.
Agar play
This activity lets children freely play with agar.
Through steps like transferring it between containers, they can experience its unique texture.
Cherish the distinct feel of agar when touched by hand and the way the sensation changes when using tools, nurturing the sense of touch among the five senses.
Encourage free exploration while imagining the outcome—such as what happens when mixing agars of different colors.
If there’s a risk of putting it in the mouth, it’s recommended to place the agar in a bag so they can safely enjoy the tactile experience with their hands.
Indoor summer-friendly activities and recreation games (11–20)
Making snow that doesn’t melt
Snow play indoors in summer!? Here’s a way to enjoy snow that doesn’t melt.
First, make “non-melting snow” using—believe it or not—baking soda and hair conditioner.
Adjust the amounts to your liking; aim for a firmness that lets you form a ball that won’t fall apart.
Once you’ve made the snow, you can start playing right away.
If you want it to feel even more like real snow, chill it in the fridge—it will become surprisingly snow-like.
Let’s make snow bunnies and snowmen indoors! Just imagining the scene is exciting, isn’t it? With a little creativity like this, you can have fun indoors even in summer—highly recommended.
Rescue play
@eqkosodate Kids will love it! Rescue play!#SensoryPlaySensory playPlaying with agar#AtHomePlayIdeas for at-home playSummer activities
♬ Under The Sea (from “The Little Mermaid”) – From “The Little Mermaid” / Soundtrack Version – Samuel E. Wright & Disney
Rescue toys from a sea of gelatin! Here are some rescue play ideas.
Let’s enjoy an activity kids will get hooked on during those hot summer days when it’s hard to focus.
Add blue paint to water, then stir in gelatin and chill it to set.
The key is to put the toys in before it solidifies! As children enjoy the cool, firm texture of the gelatin, they’ll be completely absorbed in the process of retrieving the toys—no doubt about it! It also works as a sensory play activity, so be sure to give it a try.
fishing
Here’s a very fun fishing game you can make with a simple craft.
The fishing itself is fun, but it’s even more enjoyable when you start by crafting together with your child.
You can make it using construction paper from the 100-yen shop and empty containers you have at home, so let your imagination run wild and give it a try.
It’s a great way to learn about fish and sea creatures, and it uses both your hands and your mind—so let’s have fun making and playing!
Make squishy fruits with peel that comes off!
Have you heard of nano tape, a clear and strong double-sided tape? It’s often used to stick posters on walls, but lately crafting with nano tape has been slowly becoming a trend.
How about layering strips of nano tape and filling the gaps with colored water or clay to make fruit? The fruit you make can be used for pretend play, and just touching them feels so satisfyingly squishy that you might find yourself wanting to keep touching them.
Try adapting the idea to create all sorts of foods and fruits!