It’s a lot of fun to do creative activities with your kids, but don’t you sometimes wish for something simple? Like easy activities that don’t take long to set up? And then the kids can have at it without your constant attention.
I’m with you there. And luckily, there’s a lot of creative moms and bloggers who have thought of some awesome easy activities for kids that you can set up in 10 minutes or less!
61 Easy Activities for Kids
It’s a win-win to find independent play activities so the kiddos can have a blast, while you still get your to-do list knocked out. Getting them unplugged from electronics and immersing them into active learning is a HUGE plus, too!
You’re going to love these simple activities for kids! They’re all simple and easy to do and perfect for fun indoor learning.
If you’re looking for easy activities, this is the list that you want!
Just “pin it” so you can save all these ideas for later!
Simple Science and Sensory Activities for Kids
The kids will be playing with homemade gak or slime that takes less than 5 minutes to make with these easy recipes. And Gak is so much fun, they’ll stay busy for hours!
Check out this How to Make Oobleck: Science Fun for Kids! There’s nothing like a little bit of messy play to keep them occupied for hours!
Your child can test their theories about weight and momentum with this Easy {and Fun} Catapult for Kids
Have you ever made a Glittery Underwater Volcano? If not, now is your chance!
DIY Spring Sensory Bottles for Kids are a great way to make a project at home that the kids are certain to love.
Combine sensory play and solar system fun with Life Over C’s creative activity.
Let your future paleontologist practice excavating with this fun Button Excavating activity from Busy Toddler.
One Little Project‘s Shaving Cream Rain Cloud activity looks like such a fun and colorful weather experiment. *
Although we call these “time out” glitter bottles, you could definitely use these for some sensory fun.
With the raisins dance or sink? Find out with this fun, low-prep science activity from Coffee Cup and Crayons.
These Colorful Exploding Bubble Bombs are way fun and easy to do!
Here’s a fun variation on our homemade gak recipe – snowflake glitter slime!
Don’t forget about this simple DIY stress ball for kids!
Letting the kids make their own fairy house is always a fun idea!
You can never have too many homemade bubbles, right?
And when they want to paint, this is the perfect painting solution!
Just in case you need even more easy kids activities, check out these as well:
- Homemade Bubble Solution (Easy + Strong)
- 2 Ingredient DIY Silly Putty in Less than 5 Minutes
- Sensory Activities for Kids: Colorful Rainbow Gak
Arts & Crafts that are Fun Easy Activities
Easy Peasy and Fun’s cute ladybug craft requires very little prep but is oh so adorable!
30 Handprint Art Activities for Kids is certain to give your kids tons of fun activities!
Let the kids sharpen their imagination as they get creative with this Bird Craft for Kids by Fun-A-Day.
This Apple Suncatcher Craft for Kids is certain to bring in the light and beauty!
Your kids will enjoy being an artist with this simple to make puffy paint recipe.
Mess-Free Finger Paint is a great activity for the younger kids!
No need to run to the store, in less than 10 minutes you can make easy homemade playdough. If you do make a batch, make sure to print some of our playdough activity mats:
- Cupcake Playdough Mats
- Printable Apple Playdough Mats
- Preschool Learning with Playdough Shape Mats
- Playdough Fun with Emotions
Try a little outdoor art with this super fun easy DIY chalk paint. Or make your own sidewalk chalk!
Preparing this toilet paper craft is a cinch and the kids will love decorating their own shark. [Gluesticks & Gumdrops]
I don’t know what I find more exciting about this volcano experiment, the 3-minute prep time or the fact that there’s no clean up required.
School Time Snippets‘ Yarn Wrapped Tulips are very easy to set up, and the results are beyond cute.
Do you have a Finding Nemo fan? This tape resist art transforms into a beautiful clownfish when the kids are all through. [From ABC’s to ACTs]
This tissue paper monkey craft is certain to bring out the fun!
Make up a batch of jello and let them dig for fossils!
Have some dish soap that needs to be used up? This fluffy dish soap slime is certain to please.
These bottle cap flowers are a fun way to upcycle!
Now that it’s time for gardening, check out these awesome herb plants for kids.
Making a sponge garden is a great sensory activity and a really great easy activity for kids.
Decorating your fridge is a great activity for kids thanks to these salt dough flower magnets.
Early Learning and other fun activities for kids
I would have never thought to use a pool noodle to make this fun word search activity by Easy Peasy and Fun.
Busy Toddler created their own alphabet sorting activity using toys they already had.
Send the kids on a shape hunt by The Pleasantest Thing, while you finish up a few to-dos on your list.
Toddlers can practice their fine-motor skills with just a colander and straws. [Kids Activities Blog]
This Upper Lowercase Letter Matching Puzzle for Preschoolers is a fun way to teach letter recognition.
You can only play peek-a-boo for so long before you need a break. Try some Container Fun! A Simple Baby Activity by Kids Activities Blog.
And Next Comes L‘s homemade geoboard activity works great for developing fine motor skills.
The Apple Tree Roll and Cover Math Game by Mom Inspired Life makes number recognition fun!
These apple shape matching cards are so much fun.
Teach your little one to follow directions with this DIY princess hat.
Does your child know how pumpkins grow? Let them learn all about it here!
Have the kiddos make up their own homemade bird feeder!
Help them to work through some of their big emotions with this calming playdough.
Do they need to work on their hand-eye coordination? This scissors cutting practice is perfect.
Making their own minion stick puppets is a super fun way to learn!
Using masking tape to create a road is fun for imaginative play.
Just in case you’re wanting to spend a little bit of time together cooking in the kitchen, check out some of these awesome family-friendly recipes as well:
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Cookies & Cream Milkshake
- Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- 19 Gluten Free Snacks for Kids
- Rainbow Fruit Salad Recipe
Now that’s a whole lot of awesome fun for kids that doesn’t require a lot out of you!
Kim Croisant says
Erika, those are awesome activities for kids. I need some that only take 10 mins as you know how kid’s attention span is so short. I shall try a few this summer.
Vera Sweeney says
My kids love arts and crafts!! I love to find activities that are easy for me and them as well to do.
Kathleen says
these are some really great activities. The younger kiddoswil really love them. I wil use them when my nieces come over next ime-thanks
Jacqui says
My bunch LOVES making play dough! It’s such an easy and fun activity!
Scott says
We love to rock paint! Almost warm enough outside to start another batch!