Rainy-Day Indoor Activities for Kids: Active Games on a Laptop or TV

When kids are stuck inside, screens are hard to avoid. Screen time doesn't have to mean sitting still, though. Here are simple ways to turn a laptop or TV into an active-play corner with free browser games.

Set up a play corner in two minutes

1. Clear a space about two arm's lengths wide in front of the screen.
2. Open moveverse.org on a laptop. For a bigger screen, connect the laptop to the TV and use Use Phone Camera so a phone propped near the TV becomes the camera.
3. Choose Adventure goal for untimed play. Younger children won't feel rushed.

Five rainy-day game ideas

1. The energy burner

Comet Cleanup asks for big, fast arm sweeps. Play a timed round, then try to beat the score.

2. The calm-down swim

Dolphin Dodge is a slow 3D ocean swim. It suits a wind-down after a busy afternoon.

3. The family band

Beat Builder builds drums, bass, and melody as notes are hit. Take turns adding a part.

4. The lantern relay

In Lantern Leap, one player collects lanterns while siblings call out "left!" or "right!" for the storm sparks.

5. The silly-teeth challenge

In Hippo Brush, scrub the hippo's 12 teeth, then go brush your own. See the toothbrushing game guide.

Mix screen and off-screen movement

• Star = squat: do one squat for every star caught in Star Grab.
• Freeze breaks: press P to pause and everyone freezes in a funny pose until the game resumes.
• Swap hands: play a round with the non-dominant hand.
• Mirror me: one child plays while the others copy every movement.

Keep it balanced

These games move hands and arms, not the whole body. They make indoor time more active, but they don't replace running, climbing, or outdoor play. The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day for children aged 6 to 17. Short, active game rounds can be one piece of a rainy day.

For school use, see classroom brain break games.