A cozy DIY game setup in a sunlit living room with colorful bean bag toss baskets, handmade ring toss rings, scattered vibrant throw pillows, and children crafting game pieces, all bathed in warm golden hour light.

DIY Kids Games That’ll Save Your Sanity (And Your Wallet)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

DIY Kids Games That’ll Save Your Sanity (And Your Wallet)

DIY kids games became my lifeline the day I realized I was spending more on entertainment than groceries.

You know that moment when your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s raining outside, and you’ve already blown through three expensive activity books? I’ve been there. Multiple times. Usually on a Tuesday.

The good news? Your house is basically a treasure trove of entertainment waiting to happen. No fancy equipment required. No trips to the toy store. Just you, some creativity, and whatever’s lying around.

Wide-angle shot of a sunlit living room with children dancing among colorful throw pillows, a Bluetooth speaker on a coffee table, and warm light streaming through large windows, creating a cozy and energetic atmosphere.

Classic DIY Kids Games That Never Get Old

Simon Says: The Ultimate Listening Game

This one’s pure genius because it requires absolutely nothing except your voice. And trust me, after years of repeating myself, I’ve got plenty of that.

Here’s how it works:

  • You’re “Simon” (congrats on the promotion)
  • Give commands like “Simon says touch your nose”
  • Kids only follow if you say “Simon says” first
  • Throw in a sneaky command without “Simon says” to catch them

Pro tip: Start slow and build up the speed. Watch them giggle as they try to keep up.

Freeze Dance: Energy Buster Extraordinaire

All you need is music and kids with wiggly bodies. Put on their favorite songs and let them dance like nobody’s watching. When the music stops, everyone freezes like statues.

What you’ll need:

The beauty of this game? It wears them out while they think they’re just having fun. Sneaky parent win.

Eye-level view of a cozy living room transformed into an adventure playground, featuring vibrant throw pillows and cushions on a hardwood floor, illuminated by warm natural light through sheer curtains, promoting a whimsical, creative atmosphere.

Red Light, Green Light: Traffic Control Made Fun

Remember being a kid and pretending cars had to obey you? This is that, but better.

The rules:

  • “Green light” means GO (run, walk, crawl – whatever)
  • “Red light” means STOP (freeze immediately)
  • Anyone who moves during red light goes back to start

I love this game because it teaches self-control while letting kids burn energy. Plus, you get to feel powerful for five minutes.

The Floor Is Lava: Furniture Olympics

This game turns your living room into an adventure course. The floor becomes deadly lava, and kids must navigate using only furniture, throw pillows, or safe objects.

Safety first:

  • Remove breakable items
  • Set clear boundaries about what’s okay to climb on
  • Have soft cushions ready for safe landings

Fair warning: Your couch will never look the same. But the memories are worth it.

Overhead view of a vibrant backyard obstacle course featuring cardboard boxes, hula hoops, jump ropes, and traffic cones, surrounded by lush green grass and wooden patio furniture under bright morning sunlight.

Outdoor DIY Games That Make Your Backyard Magical

Obstacle Course: Backyard Ninja Training

This is where you get to be creative with whatever’s in your garage or shed.

Materials you probably already have:

  • Jump rope (to jump over or crawl under)
  • Cardboard boxes (tunnels and barriers)
  • Hula hoops (step through or toss)
  • Cones or bottles (weave between)
  • Pillows (balance beam or soft landing)

Set up stations and time each kid. They’ll beg to beat their own records.

Treasure Hunt: Pirate Adventure in Your Yard

Hide small prizes or snacks around your outdoor space. Create simple clues or draw a basic map. Watch kids transform into determined explorers.

Treasure ideas:

  • Small toys
  • Healthy snacks
  • Stickers
  • Coins for their piggy bank

The hunt is often more exciting than the treasure itself.

Children's bedroom corner featuring a cozy blanket fort made of sheets and chairs, illuminated by warm lamplight and flashlights, with soft pillows on the hardwood floor, creating an inviting and imaginative atmosphere.

Bean Bag Toss: Target Practice Made Easy

Don’t have bean bags? No problem. Fill old socks with rice or beans. Set up boxes or laundry baskets at different distances.

Scoring system:

  • Closest basket: 1 point
  • Medium distance: 3 points
  • Farthest basket: 5 points

This game improves hand-eye coordination while keeping kids engaged for surprisingly long periods.

Close-up of children's hands crafting a colorful DIY board game on a natural wood kitchen table, surrounded by art materials like markers and dice, illuminated by bright morning light.

Rainy Day Indoor Adventures

Fort Building: Architecture for Beginners

Give kids some lightweight blankets, sheets, and chairs. Step back and watch them create masterpieces.

Fort-building supplies:

  • Sheets and blankets
  • Chairs and tables
  • Clothespins or clips
  • Pillows for comfort
  • Flashlights for ambiance

The best part? They’ll play in their creation for hours after building it.

Wide interior shot of a family room featuring a homemade ring toss game on a hardwood floor, with decorated plastic bottles and rope rings. Comfortable seating is pushed back, and the space is illuminated by soft, natural light from large windows. The room has a color palette of muted blues and warm wood tones, with bright accents. Modern furniture and clean lines frame the playful setup.

Balloon Keep-Up: Simple Physics Fun

One balloon. One challenge: Don’t let it touch the ground.

Variations to try:

  • Use only elbows

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *