18 ways to keep your kids busy indoors during the summer heat

Whether you're stuck inside because of the heat or a terrible storm, a "rainy day" box can always come to the rescue. Enlist little ones to decorate the box with construction paper and glue while you assemble fun board games, dress-up gear, and other goodies that you can break out when everyone's stuck inside. 

When playing outside isn't an option, play indoors! Make a list of 5-10 random items in your home, and send each kid on a search for "something blue," or "couch cushion change," and whoever finishes first wins a prize. (Even if that prize is something like an extra 15 minutes of screen time!) 

Approaching learning with a little bit of fun is a great way to keep your child's skills sharp all summer long. Find math games, or host an at-home spelling bee, to help give them a boost when the new school year rolls around. Even 15-20 minutes of educational play per day can have benefits. 

There are a ton of DIY science experiments that are easy to do at home with items you've probably already got in the pantry. Try to grow your own borax crystals, or make a classic baking soda-and-vinegar volcano in the sink. 

All the world's a stage, especially during summer vacation. Get your kids together, complete with DIY costumes, to recreate their favorite cartoons, or if your children are older, have them compose their own play and then act it out for the whole family. Between making costumes and learning lines, they'll have plenty to stay busy. 

Check out your local library, many of which offer tons of free and cheap activities for kids during the summer, including story time, craft classes, and more. You can also just head to the library for a leisurely afternoon of reading in the air conditioning — while the parents enjoy the quiet time! 

You likely have plenty of arts and crafts supplies in your home, and the dog days of summer are the perfect time to put those to good use. Classics like salt dough sculptures and DIY suncatchers are always a good choice. 

A can of shaving cream and a little cheap acrylic paint can provide hours of entertainment for your artistic kids. Drape wax paper over a table, then mix shaving cream with just a few drops of acrylic paint for a fluffy fingerpainting medium that's easier to clean up than you think! 

When all else fails, break out the coloring sheets, crayons, and get those artistic juices flowing. If you don't have any coloring books, there are many printable coloring sheets, activity worksheets, mazes, and other options on sites like Pinterest. 

Even in the iPad era, every kid loves a blanket fort. Break out the quilts, comforters, chairs, and other "building materials" and transform your living room or playroom into a fort that will keep kids occupied for hours. 

It's probably too hot to garden outdoors right now, but indoor herb gardens are a great option for little ones. Use an old paper egg carton, fill the cups with potting soil, and poke a hole with your finger into the soil. Drop in your favorite herb seeds, give them a good watering, and wait for them to sprout in the coming days.

With just a deck of cards, you and your kids can learn a fun new game! Consider trying a new card game from a different part of the world, or teach your little ones your favorite card games from childhood. Who doesn't love a little friendly competition? 

Even if you don't have a fancy home theater, you can still make your living room feel like the perfect place for a movie marathon. Pile the couches and chairs with plenty of blankets and pillows, pop popcorn and stock up on M&Ms, then make your way through the original "Star Wars" trilogy — or whatever trio of movies your family will love. 

When everyone's going a little stir-crazy inside, there's no better way to boost the energy than an impromptu dance party. Crank your family's favorite tunes, gather everyone in the living room, and get ready to boogie until everyone's in a better mood. 

Round up those socks that have mysteriously lost their mate, and you've got the beginnings of an at-home sock puppet show. Let the little ones adorn their "puppets" with googly eyes and markers, then stage a production at home. (Bonus points if you build a "stage" from a cardboard box!) 

If it's too hot to camp outside, bring the camp-out indoors. Drag the sleeping bags in the living room, break out the flashlights and s'mores ingredients, and of course, tell plenty of (age-appropriate) ghost stories. 

If you've got little ones and don't have a swimming pool, the bathtub is really the next best thing. On really hot days, fill the tub with lukewarm water, plenty of bath toys, and let your kids splash around in their favorite bathing suits. 

Decluttering isn't most kids' idea of a good time, but you can turn it into a game! Tell your kids you're hosting an at-home toy drive, and allow them to fill their own boxes with items they'd like to pass on to a child in need. You can offer up a reward in exchange, of course, like a trip for ice cream.