8 Fun Montessori Activities for Kids to Do at Home

We've all been there. You're stuck at home with your little one and they're bored. When kids are bored, they whine, and may even beg for screen time. You can bust boredom and grumbles with Montessori activities.

The Montessori philosophy offers fun indoor activities for kids. Kids can enjoy many fun learning opportunities at home that also eliminate the monotony of a rainy day. The kitchen is a particularly great place for fun at home activities for kids. Discover some fun indoor activities for kids and learn why they're worthwhile.

Benefits of Indoor Montessori Activities in the Kitchen

Montessori activities in the kitchen promote learning but are also fun. In the kitchen, kids learn about science and math, develop fine motor skills, and practice practical life skills.

For example, fun Montessori activities might involve measuring ingredients. That helps children learn about math. You can boost your child's learning by counting cups of flour out loud.

Children also improve their fine motor skills when pouring, stirring, and cutting. These activities require hand-eye coordination and hand-strength. Your little one can gain these skills while enjoying free indoor activities that use household items.

Some fun Montessori activities also include cooking and baking, which research shows can help children choose healthier diets! The best news is that these activities not only encourage learning, but they're also lots of fun.

8 Free Indoor Activities for Kids

Spending time with your kids in the kitchen is a great opportunity for family time. Are you ready to try some fun indoor activities for kids?

We’re here to help! Here is a list of free indoor activities for kids inspired by the Montessori philosophy to get you started. Even toddlers as young as a year old can participate in many of these indoor activities! Check them out below:

1. Cutting and Chopping Foods

Offer your child a toddler-friendly knife or a butter knife and some soft foods to cut. Some great options include banana, cheese, bread, dough, cucumber, and strawberries. To make cutting easier, you can cut bananas and cucumbers length-wise so that they don’t roll as your child cuts them. After cutting up the items, your child can arrange the food on a plate and enjoy a snack!

Older kids can even help prepare meals. Have your child help chop vegetables for salads and other meals. When children help cook, they also build self-confidence.

2. Stir, Whisk, and Knead

Another fun at home activity for kids is stirring, whisking, and kneading. Whether you ask your child to whisk some eggs or help you out while baking, they’ll love being involved. While baking, children get the opportunity to stir dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, and more. Plus, kids can also help measure ingredients. 

Making biscuits or bread with kids can be especially fun because they can knead the dough. Get creative when using dough by allowing your child to make animals or other shapes out of the dough. Then, watch how the creations rise and change in the oven!

3. Make Homemade Play Dough 

Homemade playdough recipes are so easy to make and use household items you already have in the kitchen. Get your kids in the kitchen and invite them to make their own play dough. Here’s a basic recipe to try:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup salt
• 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil 

Invite your child to measure and mix the dry ingredients together in a pot. Then, add the water and oil and heat the play dough as you stir until it becomes a ball of dough. Remove from the heat and let it cool.

When cool, ask your child to put some of the playdough into a plastic bag. Add food coloring if desired and knead from outside the bag. That way, you protect your fingers from the food coloring until it's mixed in. Now, you’re ready to play!

4. Wash Dishes

Water and bubbles make for a fun thing for kids to do in the kitchen. Start toddlers off with rinsing off nonbreakable dishes. Slowly, children can graduate to actually washing dishes.

Do your kids need help reaching the sink (or kitchen countertops)? Try using a foldable kitchen tower or a toddler helper tower.

5. Make Kebabs

Another fun activity for kids in the kitchen is making kebabs. Whether you choose to make fruit or vegetable kebabs, kids love threading chunks of food onto kebab sticks. Here are some options for great pairs:

• Strawberries and bananas
• Chunks of bread, cheese, and olives
• Cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and cheese
• Various types of melon, pineapple, and blueberries

6. Use Cookie Cutters

Cookie cutters are great for many more activities beyond making actual cookies. For example, offer your child a slice of bread. Then, invite your child to cut out shapes using the cookie cutter. Slices of cheese, watermelon, lunch meat, and finger jello are just a few options.

Your child can even make a sandwich and then cut out a fun shape using the cookie cutters. Then, consider turning your indoor activity into a tea party! You can create a festive tea party with tea cups, a vase full of flowers, and your snacks.

7. Make A Simple Recipe

Invite your child to try making a simple recipe like lemonade, ranch dip, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Or, try no-bake peanut butter energy balls, cheese and ham roll-ups, parfaits, and more! 

Young children and toddlers can simply copy the steps you do to make the recipe. For children who are learning to read, try writing out the recipe for your child on an index card. Then, invite your child to gather the ingredients and follow the instructions.

8. Creative Activities and Games for Kids

In addition to these Montessori activities, you can enjoy other fun at home activities with your little ones. Try playing board games, playing hide and seek, or reading books.

Encourage creativity with some cardboard boxes and toilet paper rolls. Your little ones can have fun building a castle or parking garage. Then, they can decorate their work with markers or paints.

Now is the Perfect Time to Enjoy Montessori Activities for Kids

We hope you enjoy all these free indoor activities for kids. Not only will you have fun, but your kids will learn, grow, and advance in their development. 

Do you have a go-to at home activity that you enjoy with your kids? Tell us about it on social media. We look forward to connecting with you!