How to Keep Kids Entertained Indoors During Heatwaves

UAE Moments

15-07-2025

When the temperatures outside start feeling like a literal oven (hello, 48°C and rising), staying indoors becomes less of an option and more of a survival tactic. For families across the Gulf, summer heatwaves can make everyday outings impossible. But that doesn't mean your kids have to be bored out of their minds—or glued to screens for hours on end.
Here's your go-to guide to keeping kids entertained indoors during a heatwave, packed with fun ideas, screen-free options, and even a few sneaky educational twists. Bonus: most of these activities require minimal prep, zero fancy equipment, and absolutely no sweating.
1. Create an 'Indoor Obstacle Course'
Got pillows? Blankets? Chairs? Boom—you've got a jungle gym.
Build a course across the living room using cushions, tunnels made from bedsheets, and 'lava floors' they have to jump over. Add a timer to make it extra competitive.
2. DIY Craft Station That Doesn't Destroy Your House
Think low-mess: stickers, coloring books, bead kits, paper crafts. Set up a designated 'art zone' with a plastic tablecloth and washable supplies. Bonus points if you turn it into a mini gallery afterward.
3. Living Room Camp-In
No tents? No problem. Build a fort with blankets and fairy lights. Add sleeping bags or cushions and let the imagination do the rest. Great for pretend play, storytelling, or even a movie night.
4. Kitchen Science Experiments
You don't need a lab—just a few pantry staples. Try making slime, baking soda volcanoes, or magic milk with food coloring. It's fun and educational. Win-win.
5. Treasure Hunt with a Twist
Create a scavenger hunt using clues hidden around the house. Level it up by adding a theme—pirates, detectives, or superheroes—and letting the kids dress up too.
6. Mini Home Theater Experience
Turn your living room into a cinema: dim the lights, make popcorn, and let them design tickets or posters for the show. Rotate who picks the film each day.
7. Dance Party or Kids' Yoga Session
Search YouTube for dance tutorials, freeze dance playlists, or kids' yoga videos. Great for blowing off steam without melting.
8. Interactive Storytime or Audiobook Adventures
If reading out loud isn't your thing 24/7, try audiobooks or kid-friendly podcasts. Pair them with coloring or puzzle time to keep hands busy while their minds wander.
9. Cooking Together (Safely!)
Let the kids help with lunch, make homemade popsicles, or whip up no-bake desserts. It's a great way to build confidence—and keep them distracted from heat complaints.
10. Build a Routine (Yes, Really)
Creating a loose structure—like morning crafts, afternoon games, and evening wind-down—helps everyone stay sane. Post it on the fridge so kids know what to expect.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you're in Dubai, Doha, Riyadh or anywhere else in the Gulf, indoor parenting during the scorching summer months doesn't have to mean chaos. With just a bit of planning (and a lot of snacks), you can transform your home into a cool, creative, boredom-proof zone that even adults might want to escape to.