Once you have kids, the weekend is both refreshing and stressful.
While it’s nice to have a break from the early morning routine and the go-go of obligations and appointments, there is something about all of that downtime that can be … stressful!
As a former teacher, I definitely know the benefits of having some easy, ready-to-go activities that I can have on hand to keep them occupied for a little bit.
Bonus points if it’s easy to clean.
Now that I work from home and have kids, I always keep these products on hand for easy indoor entertainment.
And, if you don’t have kids yet – these make amazing, affordable gifts for the little ones in your life.
1. Color Wonder Books & Markers:
This was such a home run by Crayola. I absolutely LOVE the Color Wonder line and here’s why: IT WILL NOT SHOW UP ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE COLOR WONDER BOOKS.
If I stopped right now, that should be enough for ya.
I used to ONLY have Color Wonder in my house for coloring, and then my son got old enough to want traditional markers and crayons.
Well, waddya know, in a matter of weeks I was cleaning crayons and markers off furniture and walls – thanks to my younger one. Luckily, they were washable and came off easily, which leads to my next point:
2. Crayola Washable Markers & Paint Pens:
If you’re going to go with the more traditional options here, at least get washable.I think we can all agree on why.
Unless you like scrubbing walls.
My kids love painting, but I don’t always feel like getting allll the supplies out and putting the paint in the little cups, etc. The paint pens eliminate this problem.
Paint pens + roll out some paper = READY. TO. GO.
You can even buy Color Wonder fingerpaint and paint pots, too, and give them that paint brush experience with ZERO mess.
Or, let them get some energy out with…
3. Globbles!
It was as if my son just woke up one day and was obsessed with slime. What is that? Is this a boy thing?
Whenever he came back from Target with dad, there was more containers of slime.
I hate slime.
But, guess what, Globbles are kind of like slime – they’re squishy and fun to play with, and absolutely – MESS FREE. They even stick to walls without leaving residue.
I’ll give you one guess how many kids love to throw things at a wall – entertaining and exhausting themselves simultaneously.
EXACTLY.
4. Craft Kits:
My kids absolutely love working on craft kits. I try to grab something every month or so. We even get some craft subscriptions from Kiwi Crate that they love getting in the mail.
Crayola also makes some really fun, all-included craft kits that you will keep kids entertained for hours. These make really great gifts, too.
And hey, they even have a slime one – so, maybe one of these days I’ll surprise my son with it.
5. Kinetic Sand:
I would be remiss to not mention this in a post on indoor activities. Kinetic sand is amazing my friends, and here’s why:
1. Kids of all ages love it
2. It lasts a long time (unlike Play-doh which can dry out and get gross)
3. Many toys, cookie cutters, etc., make easy and excellent additions
4. It’s affordable
5. It sticks together, limiting the mess
I mean, what else are you really looking for?
I am a huge fan of giving kinetic sand as a gift with some little digger toys and cookie cutters.
There you have it! My favorite easy, affordable indoor activities for kids!
Because even though kids are a blessing – and just genuinely make life so much better – sometimes you really need them to entertain themselves for a bit.
For more ideas, check out my 15 Learning Toys for Toddlers – on Amazon and 10 Creative Gift Ideas for the Kid Who Has Everything – for under $20!
Both of these posts will have a ton more affordable ideas you can Prime straight to your house.
You’re welcome.
Have a fabulous day,
E
Globbles sounds like a great idea and I’d never heard of them before. Are they able to be pulled apart or do they stay together in a ball? does dirt and things get stuck to them?
Oops, hit send too soon! They stay together in a ball. And, they are cleanable, so while they can start to pick up a little dirt here and there, you can wash them off.
They are SO fun!