I absolutely love being at home with my kids, watching them grow and learn. But let’s be honest—how often do we hear “I’m bored” or “There’s nothing to do!”? Keeping them entertained can feel like a full-time job sometimes!

That’s why I’ve put together these quick and easy activities that use things you probably already have around the house. No need to spend a fortune on fancy resources that only work for one activity or fit a certain “look.” These five simple, fun, and budget-friendly ideas will not only keep your kids busy but also support their development in so many ways.

1. Big Paper Fun: Creative Floor Drawing for Kids

Got a roll of paper gathering dust (Ikea rolls or leftover wallpaper work perfectly)? Roll it out across your kitchen floor, secure it with some sellotape or weigh it down with tins of beans, and let the creativity begin!

Hand your kids some pencil crayons, felt tips, or wax crayons—whatever you’re comfortable with—and let them go wild. Drawing on the floor is a fun, fresh way to get creative, and it feels a bit more adventurous than regular table drawing.

Make it even more exciting by suggesting themes: maybe they can draw their favorite animals, design a treasure map, or even create a cityscape for their toy cars. When the masterpiece is done, cleanup is a breeze—just fold it up and recycle!

This activity isn’t just about fun. Lying on the floor to draw helps kids develop their core strength, which is essential for the posture and coordination needed for writing skills later on.

2. Cloud Dough: A Soft, Sensory Activity Kids Will Love

This one is a sensory dream come true! All you need are two simple ingredients: hair conditioner and cornflour. To keep it budget-friendly, grab the cheapest hair conditioner you can find. Mix them together using a 2:3 ratio (2 parts conditioner to 3 parts cornflour) in a bowl until you get a soft, moldable dough that feels like a fluffy cloud in your hands. Want it squishier? Just add a little more conditioner!

The dough is safe for little hands, smells amazing thanks to the conditioner, and will keep your kids busy for ages. They can shape it, squish it, or even create mini “cakes” or “snowballs.” Feeling extra creative? Add a drop or two of food coloring for vibrant fun or sprinkle in a little glitter to make magical fairy dough.

This activity isn’t just fun—it’s a fantastic way to build fine motor skills, which are crucial for writing development later on. Throw in a pair of child-safe plastic scissors, and your kids can practice cutting the dough to work on their scissor skills too.

3. Freezing Bubbles: A Magical Winter Science Activity

Looking for a fun way to combine science and wonder on a chilly day? This freezing bubble activity is perfect for frosty mornings (or evenings) when it’s very cold outside. Simply grab some bubble mixture, head outdoors, and start blowing bubbles. Instead of popping, the bubbles will settle on the icy ground and begin to freeze, forming delicate, crystal-like patterns.

It’s like creating your very own tiny crystal balls! Your kids will be mesmerised, and it’s a sneaky way to introduce a mini science lesson. Talk about how cold temperatures turn liquids into solids while they’re having fun.

No bubble mixture on hand? No problem! Just mix water, washing-up liquid, and a splash of glycerin or sugar for a quick DIY solution.

This activity isn’t just magical; it’s also packed with skill-building. Blowing bubbles helps develop mouth movement and control, while the process encourages early evaluation skills: What worked well? What didn’t? What could we do differently next time?

4. Flour Tray Fun: A Simple, Creative Activity for Kids

This activity couldn’t be easier—and it’s surprisingly effective at keeping little ones entertained. Just sprinkle a thin layer of flour onto a baking tray and let your kids go wild with their creativity!

They can use their fingers or a pastry brush (if you have one) to draw pictures, practice letters, or make random patterns. Want to mix it up? Turn it into a race track for toy cars or use animal and dinosaur figurines to create “footprints in the snow.” The possibilities are endless!

What’s great about this activity is that it’s not just fun—it’s educational too. It helps develop their fine motor skills and early writing abilities, all while they’re busy playing.

5. Tapioca Pearl Play: A Sensory Activity Your Kids Will Love

Who would’ve thought tapioca pearls (yes, the ones from bubble tea!) could double as a super fun activity for kids? While this does take a bit of prep time—since the pearls need to be boiled first—it’s well worth the effort. You can grab tapioca pearls online or from an Asian supermarket, then follow the instructions on the packet to cook them. Once they’re ready, divide the pearls into bowls and add a few drops of food colouring to create a rainbow of squishy fun!

Now for the best part: hand your kids spoons, bowls, plates, chopsticks, or tweezers and let them create their own “masterpieces.” These pearls are like Orbeez but are taste-safe, so no need to panic if it turns into edible art!

This activity is a sensory powerhouse—it engages their sight, touch, and even taste. Plus, it’s fantastic for developing fine motor skills as they pick up, squish, and move the pearls in different ways. The best part? You can store the pearls in an airtight container for a few days and bring the fun out again!

Our Final Thoughts

As a parent, I love having a stash of quick, easy activities that I can whip up using things already lying around the house. I’m all about activities that don’t take forever to set up—or create a massive mess to clean up afterward.

These five simple activities are perfect for keeping your kids entertained, and the best part? Each one offers unique benefits! They’ll be learning through play, developing fine motor skills, and even practicing early writing skills—all without even realising it. Because let’s be honest, the best learning happens when kids are just having fun! Which activity will you try?