24 Fun Activities for 4-Year-Olds to Do at Home

I tested 24 indoor activities for 4-year-olds with real families to see what actually works. You’ll discover which ideas reliably turn home time into genuine fun, packed with love and laughter.

24 indoor activities for 4-year-olds: TL;DR

Discover activities for 4-year-olds that spark joy and learning, with parent-tested ideas showing fun ways to build skills.

24 fun activities for 4-year-olds to do at home

1. Wheels on the Bus

My child lights up when we act out the “wheels rolling” and “doors opening” together using CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ with the Volley app (on Fire TV, LG, and Samsung).

Sure, we’ve played this classic song around the living room before, but singing along with JJ, moving to on-screen cues, and seeing those bright animations makes the whole game feel brand new.

2. BINGO

My son loves singing and clapping along as he spells B-I-N-G-O in CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ. The farmer and his playful dog on screen turn learning letters into a fun concert in our living room.

3. Baa Baa Black Sheep

Exploring animal sounds and learning colors alongside JJ’s animated farm friends keeps my son genuinely interested. We still sometimes sing “Baa Baa Black Sheep” at bedtime, but CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ builds curiosity through interactivity and popular music.

4 Look and Learn Adventure

Scavenger hunts around the house are fun, but exploring colorful scenes with CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ keeps my son’s attention much longer.

He loves spotting characters or objects and calling out their names. It's a focus that’s hard to achieve with homemade versions.

5. Indoor hide and seek 

At age 4 and up, kids love the challenge of finding clever hiding spots or solving simple clues for scavenger hunts inside. I set up little riddles or hide favorite toys, and seeing my child race to uncover them keeps us both entertained and engaged.

6. Indoor scavenger hunts

Hide favorite toys or colorful objects around the room, give clues like “find something blue,” and watch your kid’s excitement build with each discovery. You’ll see teamwork thrive, especially if you join the hunt yourself.

7. Build your own fort

Gather every blanket and pillow in sight and let your child build their dream hideout. My son loves turning a simple mound of cushions into pirate ships or secret castles. Afterward, we read stories inside to finish the adventure.

8. Messy painting session

Roll out big sheets of paper and break out the washable paints. When my neighbor’s daughter uses her hands instead of brushes, every creation is more vibrant and expressive. Bonus points for painting letters or family portraits.

9. Animal parade obstacle course

Lay out pillows and chairs, then assign specific animal walks like crab, bear, or frog. My living room becomes a parade every afternoon, and it’s especially fun when you join in as a parent.

10. DIY playdough creations

Mix up playdough from kitchen staples, then sculpt anything your child dreams up. We’ve made everything from silly monsters to alphabet letters. Just allow your imagination to lead the way.

11. Dance Party Freeze

Turn up the music (CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ tunes are always a hit!), and challenge your kid to freeze every time the music stops. The goofy poses and laughter make every family day instantly brighter.

12. Story time theater

Pick a favorite book, dress up if you like, and assign family “roles.” Using silly voices turns story time into a performance and lets your child take center stage.

13. Mom-(or Dad-)and-Me yoga

Lead your kid through fun animal poses (think tree, butterfly, warrior), and stretch together. Yoga is great for winding down before nap time, plus kids love copying grown-up moves.

14. Bath time science experiments

Instead of pouring and splashing, try mini “sink or float” experiments, color mixing with bath paints, or racing bath toys across the tub. My child gets a real kick out of guessing which objects will sink and learning why. It’s a sneaky way to combine playtime with early science.

15. Balloon volleyball

Tape a “net” across the living room and use a balloon to volley back and forth. Cheering every successful bounce makes teamwork and hand-eye coordination more exciting. There’s also less damage control needed than with regular balls.

16. DIY nature collage

Collect leaves, sticks, and pebbles from outside, then glue them onto a piece of cardboard. My son loves making patterns and telling stories about what each object “means.”

17. Family sing and dance

Pick everyone’s favorite songs and invent wild dance moves together. Our living room concerts are full of laughter and let each kid shine as they teach their dance to the group.

18. Chef for a day

Let your child be your sous-chef, helping stir, measure, and decorate simple recipes. Wearing a chef’s hat turns kitchen time into a real adventure for my son. He gets even more excited to help when he knows we’ll share a tasty snack at the end.

19. Puppet show time

Make hand or sock puppets, draw faces, and put on a family performance. When my neighbor’s daughter scripts her own story, the results are always surprising and hilarious.

20. Letter hunt

Scatter foam or paper letters around the house, then shout out clues for which ones to find. Racing to grab letters builds excitement for learning and helps with alphabet recognition.

21. Simple board games

Games like Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders let kids cheer, take turns, and celebrate every win. Playing together makes even the slow rounds worthwhile and teaches patience, especially on those dull, rainy days.

22. Pattern-building games

Sorting by color alone can get boring for older preschoolers, so I challenge my son to make color and shape patterns that repeat. Examples are red-blue-red-blue (“ABAB”) or green-yellow-orange-green-yellow-orange (“ABCABC”).

These simple repeating sequences make it fun to predict what comes next, and timed pattern races keep him engaged and proud when he figures it out on his own.

23. Family obstacle course

Lay out a course with pillows, tunnels, and jump spots, then race together. The laughter when someone falls into a pillow pile never gets old. Finishing the course also boosts the kids’ confidence big-time.

24. Question game (“Whose Turn?”)

Take turns asking playful or thoughtful questions like, “What’s your favorite animal?” or, “If you had a superpower, what would it be?” This sparks bigger conversations and helps kids open up.

The importance of activities for your 4-year-old

Active play is critical at age 4, when kids are curious, energetic, and eager to try new things. Well-chosen activities help kids build skills like coordination, language, and problem-solving.

Joining your child in hands-on games and creative challenges strengthens family bonds and gives them the confidence to explore their world.

I've seen firsthand how the right activities spark curiosity in my son and help him focus his energy in positive ways. Whenever we play and learn together, he picks up new words and skills without even realizing it.

Regular play also sets a positive routine, making daily life more joyful and productive for everyone.

Bring kids more smiles with Volley Games

You don’t need to be a Pinterest parent to make the day memorable. Four of the top activities for 4-year-olds on this list are interactive parts of CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ, a new addition to the Volley Games library.

Need games for a slightly younger crowd? CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ offers much more, including Peek-a-Boo, BINGO, singing and dancing, and other playful learning games. Pick your favorites, try something new together, and see how simple play can spark joy for your kids.

Our 7-day free trial isn't exclusive to kids' games. In fact, we have a full lineup of party, puzzle, and trivia games in 1 single app:

• Song Quiz challenges you to guess hit songs from every decade and genre, making family music trivia lively and competitive.
• Jeopardy! lets you step into the role of a quiz show contestant, tracks every score, and keeps rounds engaging from start to finish.
• 20 Questions gives you a chance to outsmart others with clever clues, using voice responses, so each game feels fresh and interactive.
• Karaoke brings out your inner performer, turning the living room into a stage for laughs, solo songs, or group jams.
• Guess the Emoji delivers fast-paced, lighthearted fun, perfect for a quick round with kids, couples, or anyone in need of a brainteaser.

Create an account on your Samsung or LG smart TV, or on your Roku or Fire TV app today to enjoy our complete collection.

FAQs

What are the best activities for a 4-year-old at home?

The best activities for a 4-year-old at home include hands-on games, creative play, and interactive options on LG, Samsung, Roku, or Fire TV, like Volley’s Song Quiz and CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ. These always keep things fresh for your family.

How does Volley Games help my child learn while playing?

Volley Games helps your child learn while playing by mixing music, general knowledge, and interactive challenges. You’ll notice how games like Guess the Emoji on Roku and Song Quiz on Roku or Fire TV, as well as your Samsung Smart TV, build listening and knowledge in a fun, friendly way.

Can these activities work for siblings and playdates?

Yes, these activities work great for siblings and playdates. Games like Karaoke, Guess the Emoji, and other group-play games from Volley keep everyone involved, taking turns, and sharing laughs.

What if my child loses interest quickly?

If your child loses interest quickly, switch up games and try Look and Learn Adventure from CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ. I’ve found that switching between lively music and interactive challenges keeps kids engaged and eager to try again. CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ offers multiple distinct games, so there are always different options available.