Treasure Hunting: Fun Indoor Activities

BodyBingo
Ages: 3 - 8 yrs.
DC Creative, $23.99

Children listen and perform activities read by other players and cover the matching number squares on their bingo cards. Several other physical and musical activity games encourage children to listen carefully, follow directions, and use their bodies creatively.

Soap Dough Deluxe Activity Kit
Ages: 3 & Up
Life Of The Party, $24.99

This activity kit includes scented moldable soap, molds, extruder with five designs, rollers, cutters, a duck sponge and a play mat. Finished soaps can be used in the tub and color the water. Won't stain kids or tub.    The Ultimate Box of Get Up and Go Games!
Ages: 4 - 9 yrs.
International Playthings, Inc., $19.99

Eight different games keep youngsters entertained for hours all in one convenient box. Great for 2 players, teams or at parties.   The Treasure Hunt Book
Ages: 4 & Up
Klutz, $10.95

Here's the ultimate resource for planning a treasure hunt at home. Cards are imprinted with clues, as well as instructions telling the host where to hide each card so searchers can follow the sequence that leads to the final treasure. Some clue groups are simply pictures or colors, suitable for pre-readers' parties or rainy-day play; those involving charades and riddles would be appropriate for a pre-teen sleepover.    Tie Dye Kit
Ages: 4 & Up
Jacquard Products, $19.95

Kids will groove to the tie dye art while their parents will dig the fact that this kit’s squirt bottles make the pre-measured dye easy to mix, apply, clean-up and store. With ordinary tap water and the kit’s supplies, young artists can bring retro flair and fun to shirts, socks, pants, aprons, and a host of other possibilities.  Yogateers Yoga Kit
Ages: 4 & Up
YogaYears, LLC, $39.95

The Yogateers™ kit provides children of all ages with a great introduction to yoga. Includes a yoga mat, playing cards, spinner, carrying case, and instructions.  Cranium Hullabaloo
Ages: 4 & Up
Cranium Inc., $24.95

Kids listen closely and think fast as they bounce, twist, spin, high-five, and dance to the music, sounds, and friendly voice of Hullabaloo. Cranium Hullabaloo rewards quick thinking, cooperation, and creative problem-solving, so whether after school, at a birthday party, or even on a rainy day, Cranium Hullabaloo gives kids something to cheer about.   Make-Your-Own™ Cards
Ages: 4 & Up
Made By Hands, Inc., $17.95

Children can create unique and vibrantly-colored greeting cards, holiday wishes, thank-you notes and invitations on 20 cards and envelopes. Over 500 precut shapes and a glue stick are also included.    Illustory
Ages: 5 - 12 yrs.
Chimeric, $21.95

Children write and illustrate their own original story, then send the pages back to the company. After a few weeks, they’ll be thrilled to receive a professionally hardbound book with their name, book title and illustration laminated onto the cover, and their illustrated story inside.

Very Fun, Slightly Sticky Stuff to Do With Candy
Ages: 6 & Up
Author: Barbara Kane  
Klutz, $16.95 (Hard Cover)   

Projects, recipes and games to play with everyone's favorite stuff: candy. Packaged with a nifty selection of candy accoutrements (like a chocolate dipper and special molds to make a sweet little chocolate house), it's a book sure to make anyone feel like a kid in a candy store.   BucketBlast
Ages: 6 & Up
Lolo Company, Inc., $29.95

Buckets and bean bags come together as kids and adults toss, run, balance, chase, strategize, and team up for points and laughs. The kit comes with 15 different games -- 5 indoor, 5 outdoor, and 5 water games. Indoor games include beanbag concentration and a blindfolded bean bag toss. Great for parties. Lego Creator Game
Ages: 7 & Up
LEGO Systems, Inc., $14.99

This game combines the strategy and fast pace of a board game with the building fun of LEGOs. Originally designed for 2 to 4 players, more children may play by teaming up to build 20 LEGO vehicles and robots. Players or teams win by being the first to collect the necessary pieces and complete a selected design.   Bake the Best-Ever Cookies!
Ages: 8 & Up
Author: Sarah A. Williamson   Illustrator: Tom Ernst  
Williamson Publishing, $7.95 (Paperback)

Children learn about baking procedures, ingredients, kitchen supplies, and clean-up by following 26 clearly written recipes. Menu suggestions are also provided with ideas on how to enhance the presentation and what to talk about with guests.  The Jumbo Book of Paper CraftsAges: 9 & Up

Author: Amanda Lewis   Illustrator: Jane Kurisu  
Kids Can Press, $14.95 (Hard Cover)   

Learn about four kinds of paper crafts: folding, cutting, weaving, and gluing. Each section begins with a description of techniques used in the projects that follow, plus helpful tips. Among the appealing projects are a butterfly ornament made by accordion-folding paper shapes cut from colorful magazine pages, and maracas made by gluing many layers of tissue papier-mâché on old light bulbs.

 
Family Games for Family Fun
If you're looking for family fun, playing a game is a fine start. Our selections offer games of memory, matching, strategy, scavenging -- and old fashioned giggling.