There is nothing worse than the dreaded, "Mom, I'm bored!" I've heard it plenty all summer, despite my child's excessive toy collection, access to a swimming pool and much more.
When the weather surpassed triple digits this summer, it was clear that it was just too hot to play outside.
In general, the last thing I want is my kid staring at is a screen all day. We love a STEM toy in our house and Magna Tiles are a fan-favorite, but these are the top three indoor activities that have topped my child's list of go-to toys this summer:
- A fort building kit that's as fun to build as it is to spend time inside your fort.
- A Lego table with a buildable-top and storage (no more stepping on Legos!).
- Play pretend notepads so we can play restaurant, doctor and more.
Here's a look at our favorite indoor activities that actually keep my child entertained:
3 indoor toys my child actually plays with again and again
Not every toy survives the boredom test in our house, but these three consistently do. They're the toys my child asks for, returns
to without prompting and can spend serious time playing with independently.
Build a fort and spend the day inside!
Tiny Land Fort Building Kit for Kids Ages 4-12, STEM Building Toy
Kids can assemble and disassemble it at will, creating a multitude of possible building structures.
Shop now at Amazon
Center all your Lego activities at this table
UTEX 2-in-1 Wooden Kids Building & Activity Table with Storage
This toddler activity table tabletop surface is made of double-sided playboard, so you can convert from construction playtime table to smooth surface table for creative playtime.
Shop now at Amazon
Inspire imaginative play with these play-pretend notepads
Pretend Play Notepads, 6-Pack Restaurant, Doctor, Boarding Pass, Report Card, Nature Walk & Soda Shop
The set includes 40 pages each of restaurant menu, doctor visit chart, boarding pass, report card, nature walk checklist and soda shop order form.
Shop now at Amazon
If I could only buy one of these toys again, it would be this
While all three of these activities get plenty of use in our house, the Tiny Land Fort Building Kit offers the best value overall because it's really two activities in one. Kids spend time planning and constructing their fort, then get hours of additional play using their creation as a clubhouse, reading nook, pretend-play space or movie cave.
Unlike toys that serve a single purpose, the fort-building kit can be rebuilt into countless designs, so it feels new every time it's used.
It also encourages STEM skills, problem-solving, teamwork and creativity while keeping kids away from screens. If I had to choose just one of these indoor activities to buy again, the fort-building kit would easily be my top pick.
Shop more top toys at Amazon
Ms. Rachel My First Learning Farm with Songs, Phrases & Animal Figures
Place the Ms. Rachel, cow, or pig figure in the yellow spot to hear learning prompts from Ms. Rachel and animal sounds that introduce concepts of farm animal care.
Shop now at Amazon
MAGNA-TILES Downhill Duo 40-Piece Magnetic Construction Set
Host your own races and get hours of endless fun with these magna-tiles.
Shop now at Amazon
Bravokids Toys for 3-6 Years Old Girls Boys, LCD Writing Tablet 10 Inch Doodle Board
You can grab an actual coloring book and crayons, colored pencils or markers, but I find that my son loves this drawing tablet just as much.
Shop now at Amazon
Water Doodle Mat - Kids Painting Writing Color Doodle Drawing Mat Toy
Fill the pen with clean water and draw on the mat, after 3-10 minutes, it magically disappears!
Shop now at Amazon
Barbie Angel Reese Doll, Signature, Fashion Doll with Pink Basketball Uniform and Basketball
Sculpted to the likeness of WNBA star Angel Reese, the doll celebrates her legacy dressed in a pink basketball uniform with her signature legging, shoes and headband.
Buy now at Mattel
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 indoor toys my kid loves when it feels too hot for outdoor play
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