This summer has been HOT! Arizona is miserable during the months of July and August. With all the heat advisories, we have been stuck inside with each other day after day. We are getting pretty creative around our house, trying to think of new things to do with our days. Here are our favorite things to do inside.

1. Playdoh!

2. Paint; Fingerpaint, paint with water, or a paint set

3. Magic show or play

Get out some props, and let the kids use their imagination. They love a captive audience (you), and make sure you clap and cheer at the end.

4. Build a fort

Use blankets, pillows, couch cushions, sheets, anything available to make a fort. Gather some books and have the children read inside their new fort.

5. Exercise!

You’ve got to find some way to get all that energy out after being cooped up. I play this game while I’m feeding the baby and my kids want my attention. I give them specific instructions like jump 10 times, hop on one foot, run to the front door and run back, spin around in a circle, walk like a cat, swim like a fish, etc.

6. Board games and puzzles, wooden blocks, or Lego.

We love Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Memory, and all kinds of different wooden puzzles.

7. Dance party! Crank up the music and show them how to dance.

8. Craft project

You can do either a structured project, or put out craft supplies colored paper, scissors, tape, glue, felt, stickers, etc) and see what they come up with.

9. Write letters for grandma and grandpa, then mail or deliver them. (We write and draw lots of letters for grandpa and grandma, however I rarely mail them! oops!)

10. Make a fun snack together and have an inside picnic with a blanket on the floor.

What inside activities do your children love?