When rainy days, snowstorms, or indoor restrictions keep children from playing outside, it’s time to find creative ways to keep them entertained. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun group games that kids ages 6-12 can play indoors, which encourage cooperation, creativity, and exercise—all without the need for a large space. Here’s a list of ten entertaining indoor games that children ages 6 to 12 can play together, ensuring hours of fun, laughter, and friendly competition.
Treasure Hunt
A classic indoor game, a treasure hunt can be easily adapted for kids aged 6 to 12. To make it more exciting, hide various objects around the house, leaving clues or riddles for the children to solve. You can even create a theme for the treasure hunt, like pirates, detectives, or superheroes. The children can work together in teams to find the treasure, building teamwork and problem-solving skills along the way.
Charades
Charades is a fantastic game for encouraging imagination and creativity in children. It’s simple to set up, and the best part is that it requires no special equipment. One child acts out a word or phrase without speaking, while the others guess what it is. The game can be played with a variety of themes, from movies to animals, or even popular books. This game is guaranteed to bring lots of laughs, making it a favorite for kids ages 6-12.
Indoor Obstacle Course
Creating an indoor obstacle course is a fantastic way for children to expend energy while indoors. Use furniture, pillows, and everyday items to create challenges like crawling under tables, jumping over cushions, or balancing on tape lines. Kids can take turns navigating the course, and they can even compete against each other or time themselves to see who can complete the course the fastest.
Simon Says
A well-loved game of commands and listening skills, Simon Says is easy to set up and play. One child acts as “Simon,” giving instructions such as “Simon says jump in place” or “Simon says touch your toes.” If Simon doesn’t say “Simon says” before the instruction, and someone follows it, they’re out. This game is ideal for younger children, but older kids enjoy it too, especially when they take turns being Simon.
Pictionary
This drawing game encourages creativity and teamwork. Players take turns drawing clues from a list of words while the others try to guess what it is. Pictionary can be played using paper and markers, or you can use a whiteboard for easier erasing. It’s great for kids ages 6-12, as they can challenge each other with fun categories like animals, sports, or movies.
Indoor Bowling
Who says you need a bowling alley to have fun? You can easily set up an indoor bowling game using plastic bottles as pins and a soft ball. Arrange the pins in a triangular formation, and have the kids take turns rolling the ball to knock them down. You can even assign point values to different pins or challenge the kids to bowl with their non-dominant hand for added fun!
Musical Chairs
A classic game that works wonders in group settings, Musical Chairs is perfect for kids ages 6-12. Set up a circle of chairs, with one fewer chair than the number of kids playing. Play music while the children walk around the chairs. When the music stops, they must quickly find a seat. The last child standing without a chair wins! This game gets everyone moving and laughing, making it a fun indoor activity for kids to enjoy together.
Freeze Dance
Put on some lively music and let the kids dance around, but when the music stops, they must freeze in place. The game encourages physical activity and helps children improve their coordination. For added fun, challenge them with specific dance moves or make the freezing positions more creative—like pretending to be animals or statues!
Hot Potato
Hot Potato is a simple yet exciting game that keeps kids on their toes. Sit in a circle and pass an object (the “hot potato”) around while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the hot potato is out. To make it even more fun, you can add a twist by requiring the kids to perform silly tasks when they receive the hot potato, such as hopping on one foot or singing a song.
Board Games
Board games are a timeless way to keep kids entertained indoors. There are countless options for games suitable for ages 6 to 12, from Monopoly and Scrabble to newer games like Ticket to Ride or Codenames. Board games help children develop strategic thinking and social skills, and many are designed for multiple players, making them perfect for group play.
Conclusion
From active obstacle courses to quiet and thoughtful board games, the options for ten entertaining indoor games that children ages 6 to 12 can play together are endless. These games not only provide an enjoyable way for kids to spend time indoors but also promote skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. Whether you’re stuck at home on a rainy day or simply looking to enjoy some family time indoors, these fun group games will ensure your children have a blast together.
