The boundless energy of kids can be lots of fun — but on days with bad weather, it can sometimes be difficult to find exciting and educational ways to direct that energy.

Fortunately, even if you can’t let your kids play outside, there’s plenty you can do to bond with them, keep them entertained, and teach them something new.

Read on for four fun indoor activities that will make the day breeze by, no matter what’s happening outside.

Teach Them to Cook

In addition to simply being fun, Healthy Little Foodies explains there are a huge number of educational benefits found in teaching your kids to cook.

This is one of the amazingly productive and fun indoor activities for kids.

Following a recipe tests reading and comprehension skills, and measuring ingredients can be a great way to teach your kids about the real-life applications of math.

Cooking is also a vital life skill; by cooking with them from a young age, you will help your children live a healthier life. They’ll be more comfortable and adventurous in the kitchen and more inclined to try different foods.

Additionally, spending time together cooking gives you an opportunity to have long conversations with your children, helping you bond and ensuring that they are well-adjusted. And at the end of the day, you’ll have something delicious to eat.

To keep cooking time safe and fun, make sure that you teach your child to wash their hands, and always keep your knife block out of reach.

Kids three and up can begin to safely learn knife skills by chopping herbs or soft vegetables with a butter knife. And don’t be afraid to make a mess — put on an apron and let the flour fly.

Set Up a Scavenger Hunt

If you have a few little ones running around, consider putting together a scavenger hunt for an afternoon of entertainment. Scavenger hunts help to build problem-solving skills, teach teamwork, and give the kids a chance to run around a little bit.

They are also convenient, as your players just need to search for things that already exist — you don’t need to spend all day making clues. Customize your list yourself (or print out a pre-existing one), set up teams and a time limit, and get going!

Scavenger hunts are fun indoor activities for kids that can always be changed, and the kids can even help create the lists.

Make Slime

Slime is all the rage right now, and it’s no wonder why — this fun, brightly colored substance is easy to make at home and customize however you want. Slime also offers a multidimensional learning experience; children can learn about chemical reactions, practice their color-mixing skills, and use math to measure out the ingredients.

Basic slime recipes are easy to make and include ingredients that many people already have at home. Simply mix together glue, borax, and water, kneading together until it becomes the right consistency.

Then, you and your little one can add food coloring, glitter, and anything else you like. This is one of the most fun indoor activities for kids. They will agree.

Don’t Shy Away From Technology

While it’s easy to feel like you should be constantly avoiding technology, you can incorporate screen time in a way that’s entertaining and educational.

It’s simply not feasible to avoid technology all the time, and there’s nothing wrong with spending a little screen time with your child. Try watching educational videos or reading eBooks together, either with a service like Kindle or through your local library’s app.

If you want arts and crafts time without the mess, download a painting app so that your child can finger paint. Or, if you want to get even more educational, ScienceNetLinks notes an app like Science360 can provide both entertainment and fun facts.

However you decide to use your device, making use of a waterproof case can help to avoid damage even in the sometimes-clumsy hands of your little one. Look for a case that offers protection while still giving access to your smartphone’s screen and buttons.

Inclement weather doesn’t have to mean a long, boring day. These fun indoor activities for kids will provide many enjoyable moments.

Liven things up with some good eats, treasure hunting, slime, and reading. By planning out a few activities, you can take advantage of the weather to spend some quality time learning and growing with your kids

The author of this blog, Carrie Spencer, can be found at thespencersadventures.