50+ Activities for Kids using Common Household Items
Are your kids bored and looking for fun new activities to do? These 50+ fun activities and crafts will keep your kids busy so you don’t have to hear “I’m bored!” for the millionth time.
My favorite thing about all these activities is that they only require common household items. You won’t need to run to the store, or place an order before your kids can enjoy the activity.
The 50+ activities included in this list are mostly creative and play activities, you’ll find over 50 STEM activities using common household items in this post. Between the two, your kids should be happily occupied all week!
Also, most of the activities in this big list don’t require any prep, so your kids can get started right away! Look right here for even more no-prep indoor activities and crafts for kids.
And if Mom needs a break, these 21 independent indoor activities should keep your kids occupied all afternoon.
Keep kids busy with things you already have at home with these fun activity ideas!
Activities for Kids using Common Household Items
Easy Activities for Kids Using Household Items
Looking for something fun for your kids to do? These fun activities will keep your kids busy, and they use only common household items. No need to visit the store!
All you need is a sheet of paper and these ideas for creative fortune tellers. Includes free printables and directions to create your own.
If you have flour and salt on hand, your kids will be able to play with this fun and easy playdough.
Learn how to make paper airplanes with these easy step-by-step instructions. You’ll learn how to make a a paper dart and a paper glider.
A cardboard box can easily be recycled for small world play with toys you have on hand.
Use pom poms as a drawing prompt to get kids started on an art project.
Even with just a handful of LEGO pieces, you can try this LEGO twist on the popular games of Charades or Pictionary!
Grab the giant stack of brown paper bags and turn them into one of these cute paper bag puppets!
Use the templates to make a cute flower craft
Head into the garden and go on a color nature hunt
These Tissue Paper Flowers are perfect for little kids to make using household items! They're simple & fun to make!
Did you know that you can make your own dinosaur dig excavation activity? All you need is two household ingredients and a few sunny days. It couldn’t be easier!
Your Star Wars fans will have a blast with these easy-to-make toilet paper roll figures. So many different ways to enjoy for creative fun
Craft a set of adorable egg carton cup floating ducklings! A 5-minute DIY that's perfect for pretend play, sensory bins or small worlds!
Kids will have fun making a lovely play dough and paper straw fairy forest with natural supplies - wonderful fine motor skill practice through sensory play.
If you have a coffee maker at home, chances are you have filters. Use them to create beautiful flowers with just a little bit of paint.
This simple and easy salt dough recipe is the perfect rainy day activity… Kids will master valuable kitchen skills while learning how to make salt dough, and then spend hours playing with it!
This oobleck recipe tutorial is a great stay at home day choice. Super inexpensive and a fun kitchen science experiment…
Stir crazy? Don't have board games? Make your own with these fun DIY board games using common household items!
Got eggs? Use the carton to make this simple and fun mancala game!
Nerf gun fights are always the best- make them even more fun by building your own targets and forts.
Check out this fun cardboard box guitar craft. You probably have everything you need to create it right at home.
Three easy ways to make a book. These are super simple bookbinding techniques that use everyday materials like index cards and rubber bands.
This fun craft is easy to make with items you probably have in your pantry.
Create a variety of colorful bubble wrap-printed chameleon crafts with simple art + recycled supplies!
Make a pirate ship that actually floats!
Make easy musical instruments with at home supplies! Music builds math skills and these are just plain fun
Learn how to make a lava lamp in this simple tutorial. It is one of the most beautiful and easy science experiments for kids requiring 4 simple ingredients.
Mar 25 Construction Zone Sensory Bean Box for Toddlers and Preschoolers
A fun sensory box using items you probably already have around the house.
Whether you’re gearing up for a trip to the beach or just studying the ocean from afar, this ocean bag is a great addition to your sensory activities.
Make some squishy soap dough out of things you already have at home.
Creative play with props is a great way to get your child’s imagination soaring. These paper plate animal masks are sure to become not only a fun craft project, but also a prop for pretend play.
Using just two or three kitchen ingredients that you probably have on hand, you can create hours of play for your child with moon dough.
Simple and inexpensive craft projects are always a favorite, and even better when you have all the materials on hand already! Try these simple DIY friendship bracelets
This galaxy shirt can be made from any dark colored T-shirt, a little bleach, and any spare paint you have!
A muffin tin and a few things from the junk drawer is all you need for these reading games.
Coin sorting can stimulate learning and encourage preschoolers, kindergarteners, and young elementary students to focus attention and develop the senses.
Add a turkey baster to a tub of water for a fun fine motor activity!
This DIY Tinker Toys activity uses cardboard tubes and straws to create an awesome experience for little kids!
The straw rockets activity is perfect for a day where you have nothing to do indoors with your kids. Plus, it uses stuff you already have at home!
Learn a really cool magic trick with just a pencil and a dollar bill!
Kids of all ages will enjoy creating the creepiest green creepers around! This easy creeper craft is perfect a day spent at home. Featuring basic craft supplies, parents and caregivers are fans of this low-prep Minecraft craft too.
Use toilet paper rolls to create this adorable Giraffee Marionette.
Kids of all ages (even toddlers) will have fun making these beautiful paper flowers that will last all spring.
Kids can make their own mini notebook with these easy instructions.
Rainbow soap foam is the ultimate outdoor sensory activity! Your little ones will love scooping and shaping the foam and mixing the bright colors.
Make a simple whirly gig toy from recycled cardboard and our printable template. This is a fun craft idea for kids of all ages, inspired by a classic which has been around for centuries.
These Elmer Lanterns brighten up any space with their colorful design & make great night lights for children's bedrooms. Made from a clean plastic milk bottle they're also frugal & fun for kids to make.
If you have a marker and an old cd, this is a great project for your kids!
Little ones will enjoy exploratory play with household items and a stack of rubberbands.
Which activity will your kids want to try first?
Don’t forget to check out the 50+ STEM activities using only common household items.
