If there’s a trick to entertaining young kids (or any kids too young to have their own electronics and life and stuff) indoors for hours on end, I sure would like to know what it is.

Everyone gets stir crazy, whether it’s weather or you know, our current situation keeping us away from the great outdoors and friends and the like.

If you’re looking for some great family games to pass 30 minutes or an hour, we’ve got you covered with the 7 suggestions below.

7. The Spider Game

Prep Time: None

Realistic Time It Might Entertain Your Child: 20 minutes

Setup:

Find a crib or stroller-sized blanket, or kitchen napkins/rags.

How to Play:

The “spider” holds the blanket, ready to toss it over their “prey.” Kids run while the spider tries to toss their “silk” and if it touches you, you’re caught.

6. The Copycat Game

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Realistic Time It Might Entertain Your Child: 15-20 minutes

Setup:

Clear a section of a room so everyone can move freely – carpeted or grassy surfaces work best in case you end up on the ground.

How to Play:

You do an activity, action, or movement – anything you like – and get your kid to follow along. March, touch your toes, do a dance move, jumping jacks, whatever. If you kid is older, they can also take a turn being the leader.

5. The Pillow Game

Prep Time: None

Realistic Time It Might Entertain Your Child: 3 minutes

Setup:

Wrap your child in a towel after their bath and have them lay on their stomach. Put your head gently on their back.

How to Play:

Your “pillow” will begin to move (probably), you wonder aloud why your pillow is wiggling and maybe it’s not a pillow. The kid is supposed to act like an animal stuck in a towel while you guess what they are.

4. Chair Hat Toss

Prep Time: 1 minute

Realistic Time It Might Entertain Your Child: 10-15 minutes

Setup:

Turn over a chair so the legs stick up, then find a hat.

How to Play:

Toss the hat toward the chair, trying to get the hat to hook onto the legs. If you want to make it more complicated, each leg can have a different point value.

You can also spend some time having your kids make DIY rings out of rope or cardboard.

3. The Camouflage Game

Prep Time: None

Realistic Time It Might Entertain Your Child: Way too long

Setup:

Designate a Counting Zone and stand in it.

How to Play:

Count down from 20 while the other players hide within eyeshot. When you hit zero, find the other players without moving. If you can’t find them all, call ’15!’ and put your hands out. The hidden players run up, high-five you, and hide again.

2. Balloon Tennis

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Realistic Time It Might Entertain Your Child: 30-60 minutes

Setup:

Prop two chairs 10 feet apart and tie a string between them. Inflate a balloon or two and then hand out fly swatters.

How to Play:

Same rules as tennis, but you might need an extra rule about how many times players can hit a balloon on their side of the net, since it doesn’t move the same as a tennis ball. Use a simpler scoring system and play family doubles if your kids need help getting into it.

1. Arm & Leg Tag

Prep Time: None

Realistic Time It Might Entertain Your Child: 5-15 minutes

Setup:

Get together in an open, soft-carpeted area away from furniture and other hard edges.

How to Play:

When a player’s arm or leg is tagged, they can no longer use it. They’ll have to put their arms behind their back or hop on one leg, etc. If they lose all four limbs, they’re out.

I’m definitely going to try some of these with my boys!

Do you like these suggestions? Do you have any to add?

Let us know in the comments!