It can be hard to entertain a large group of teens inside if you don’t want to rely on planting them in front of electronics. These fun indoor games for teens will get the kids up and moving, and they’ll have a great time in the process!
When my son was in high school he wanted to throw an end-of-season party for his wrestling team. I was all for it but was a little nervous about how I was going to keep over a dozen high school boys occupied so they wouldn’t get bored and turn my house into a giant wrestling mat.
Since the weather at the end of February is typically pretty miserable here, I wanted to come up with several indoor games for teens that would give them a chance to be active even though we’d be inside.
Indoor Action Games
If you have a large, open space in your home you can help the teens expend some energy with these totally indoor-safe games. Even better, all of these games are played with items you already have on hand!
Sock Wrestling
Clear a large space in the center of a carpeted room. Two players face off wearing socks but no shoes. The first person to remove both of his opponent’s socks wins. Since we had a bunch of wrestlers, we used wrestling rules to determine legal moves. For the most part, you’ll want to establish rules that prevent serious injury or property damage.
Blindfold Obstacle Course
Have everyone pair off. Each team has one person wear a blindfold while the other person navigates him or her across a room filled with obstacles (a coffee table, chairs, a vacuum cleaner). The team that accomplishes the task the fastest, wins. When played indoors, you want to have one team go at a time and use a timer to track how long it takes each team.
Paper Bag Relocation
Get 5 paper grocery bags and cut each one to a different height. Line up the bags on one end of a room or hallway. Each player must move all 5 bags from one end of the room or hallway to the opposite end. The trick is they can only use their mouths to pick up the bags and their hands cannot touch the ground to help them maintain balance when the bend over to retrieve the bags. The player that accomplishes the task the fastest, wins.
Candy Games
The best thing about candy games is that the supplies you purchase for the games double as snack food when the games are over!
Taste the Rainbow
Players race to pick up as many Skittles as they can using only a straw. If you prefer, you can use M&M’s instead of Skittles.
Gummy Bear Contest
Fill a plate with whipped cream and hide a bunch of gummy bears in them. Players have to hold their hands behind their back and retrieve all of the gummy bears by using just their mouths.
More Indoor Games for Teens
Haven’t found the right activity yet? Don’t worry! We’re just getting started.
Click the button below to view more indoor teen party games using balloons and plastic cups. Plus, find prize ideas that are teen-approved!
Corinne Schmitt
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cute ideas! It looks like I’m going to be stuck inside with my teens for a few days because of upcoming snow and I’m totally trying some of these activities to ward off cabin fever!
I know what you mean. It looks like we’re getting more snow here in a couple of days too. I hope you have fun with them!
What a great list of teen games. I think many of them could be used for adults too! I love party games and love this list!
It’s funny you say that. We had so much fun watching the boys play the games that we played them again later as a family. Spoiler alert: Age doesn’t help you in these games!
Sounds like a fun party for adults, too, especially if you have lots of Skittles and gummy bears.
I’m going to have to pin this. I am volunteering to co ordinate some high school gatherings for our co op and I have an 8th grade cheerleader so these would make excellent beginning or ending of the season party games!
Do come back and tell me if you use any, and if you do, if the kids enjoyed them as much as mine did.
What clever ways to keep kids entertained inside! We could definitely use that during this eternal winter!
This is a great list! Thanks for sharing with us on the Momma Told Me Link Party! Come back and share more soon!
~Jen
Thank you for the great list! My oldest just turned 13, and with 5 younger sisters, we’ll be needing great entertaining games for many more years to come. Following you. 🙂
I do hope your kids enjoy them as much as mine did! Wow! You have a house full. I’m sure there is a lot of built-in fun at your house with so many people to interact with. Thanks so much for stopping by!
These sound great! Both my daughters have birthdays in the summer, so we could actually play some of these outside. Thanks for the ideas! I am visiting from Lambert’s Lately today.
i liked ur games me n my friends enjoyed it too
Boys are definitely hard to occupy than girls, but these games really do the trick! Thank you for the amazing tips and amazing game ideas!
I’m glad you found these helpful!
Sorry, I’m a 15 year old girl that doesn’t do drugs/alcohol, or had sex, and has good grades (I’m not a delinquent, or just an rebellious child) and I’m not trying to be rude, but I don’t see anyone freshman or higher really enjoying these games at a party, without them making remarks behind people’s back about how lame these are, sorry but that’s just “teen’s” perspective.
No need to apologize! I appreciate the honest feedback. My sample size was quite small since I only have my own family and their friends to poll and test these ideas on. Clearly these won’t work for all teens and your comment is inspiration for me to get more creative. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Camrie, if you have time, can you check out these games and tell me if these are less lame? I’m genuinely interested in your input. https://wondermomwannabe.com/games-for-teenagers/