Welcome to summer survival mode, where the days are long, the sunscreen is sticky, and the whining hits new decibels by 9 a.m. And while other families are out living their best beach life, I’m inside, holding a fussy baby, refereeing crayon wars, and pretending I totally meant to skip splash pad day. As an ADHD mom to three girls—a 5-year-old who lives for drama, a 3-year-old with ADHD who thrives on chaos, and a 4-month-old who thinks naps are a scam—I need indoor activities for summer that are fun, low-prep, and meltdown-mitigating.
So, if you’re also a mom navigating hot days and hotter tempers (without losing your mind), I’ve got you. These activities are kid-tested, mom-approved, and ideal for when it’s too hot to go outside but too early to break out the popsicles for the third time today.
1. DIY Sensory Bins That Actually Entertain
Sensory play is magic for ADHD kiddos—and their overstimulated moms. Fill a bin with dry rice, kinetic sand, pom-poms, or water beads, toss in some scoops and figurines, and let the exploration begin.
This Kinetic Sand Sensory Kit – Less mess than play dough and oddly therapeutic for adults too.
Bonus tip: Rotate the contents weekly to keep it fresh. My girls think it’s a brand-new toy every time.
2. Indoor Obstacle Course (a.k.a. Energy Drain Station)
When your 3-year-old is bouncing off the couch for the 16th time, redirect that chaos with an indoor obstacle course. Use pillows for hopscotch, string for a “laser” maze, and masking tape for balance beams.
This works wonders for her need to move and for my need to not have a cracked TV screen.
Indoor/ Outdoor Trampoline – Multisensory and great for different activities.
Need more movement ideas? Try this:
ADHD Co-Regulation Strategies for Families
3. Themed Storytime & Pretend Play
Reading is great. Reading while pretending you’re pirates looking for treasure or dinosaurs going to school? Even better.
We theme our mornings—princess day, jungle explorer day, space cadet day—and pair books with simple costumes, scavenger hunts, or coloring sheets. This is one of my personal favorite of the indoor activities for summer I’m giving you here.
Dress-Up Trunk for Girls – A staple for our pretend days.
Melissa & Doug Giant Coloring Pads – Keeps hands busy while I sip coffee while it’s hot.
4. Frozen Toy Excavation
Hot day? Pop some little toys into a plastic container, fill with water, and freeze overnight. Give the kids tools (safe ones, like spoons or toy hammers) to dig out their treasures.
This buys me a solid 45 minutes of peace. (Which, in mom years, is like 3 hours.)
Dino Ice Excavation Activity Set – Ready-to-go kits if you don’t have the energy to DIY it.
5. Dance Parties with a Twist
We blast music, turn off the lights, and throw in a couple glow sticks. Instant “rave,” toddler-style. It gets the wiggles out and shifts the mood when everyone’s getting grumpy. Like some of the others, this is one of the indoor activities for summer that should be done all year long!
Bonus challenge: Freeze dance or copycat dancing keeps things fun and helps with self-regulation.
Bluetooth Dance Light – Turn your living room into a mini disco.
6. Build-a-Fort Reading Hour (a.k.a. My Favorite Hour)
We pile up cushions, grab snacks, and read inside our homemade blanket fort. If the baby is down for a nap, I’ll even sneak in a chapter of my book.
Pro tip: Let them decorate the fort with fairy lights and call it “cozy time” so it sounds fancy.
Kid-Friendly Fort Building Kit – Makes setup easy and avoids the blanket avalanche.
7. Snack Creation Stations
Have you met my 5-year-old? She considers peanut butter toast “culinary art.” So we lean into that energy.
Let your kids make snack “creations”—fruit skewers, yogurt parfaits, or mini charcuterie boards. Bonus: it doubles as a fine motor activity.
Kid-Safe Kitchen Tools Set – Safe for tiny hands, and surprisingly useful.
8. Calm Down Corners and Quiet Boxes
When my 3-year-old is spiraling from sensory overload, having a calm-down space is essential. We’ve created a cozy nook with books, fidget toys, soft blankets, and soothing sounds.
She even requests it now when she’s feeling “spicy.”
Fidget Toy Variety Pack – Keep a few in your purse, car, and quiet box at all times.
For more routines that work, check this post:
Quiet Time Routines for Kids with ADHD
9. Nex Playground: The Friendly Screen Time Solution
When I need a screen break (hello, cluster-feeding baby), I turn to the Nex Playground. It’s not your average game console—it’s interactive, movement-based, and doesn’t turn my kids into screen zombies.
They dance, jump, and even collaborate. And I breathe.
Nex Playground – A summer lifesaver that blends tech + movement in a way I can feel good about.
Want to know more? Check out this post:
How The Nex Playground Saved Our Summer (and My Sanity)
10. Mommy’s Quiet Hour: The Golden Unicorn
Okay, it’s not an activity for the kids per se, but this one’s for you.
Each afternoon, we do “quiet time.” The girls get independent play boxes (magnetic tiles, sticker books, puzzles), and I set the baby in her swing and actually sit. No phone. No chores. Just breathe.
Some days it works. Some days it’s chaos. But I show up anyway.
Quiet Time Activity Books for Kids – Engaging and perfect for post-lunch slowdowns.
Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Stay In
You don’t have to pack every day with museum trips, pool play, or Pinterest-worthy crafts to be a “good mom.”
If you’re like me—navigating ADHD parenting, nap schedules, and your own sensory limits—staying inside is not just okay. Sometimes it’s survival. These indoor activities for summer aren’t about being the perfect parent. They’re about finding small moments of connection, calm, and joy.
And hey, if all else fails? Pop the popcorn, dim the lights, and call it Family Movie Day.
You’re doing great.
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