Indoor activities for active young boys

Making erupting volanos.
Gloop (cornflour and water) in a tray.
Zipper bags filled with paint laid flat to clean finger draw.
Blow balloon with water a pop small toy in freeze and take balloon off, get children to chip away at it to find 'treasure'
Buckets water paint brushes, 'paint' and shed /house/fence.
Make playdough flour water etc.
Make moon dough (as above but with hair conditioner.
Skittles with bottles (decorate) soft ball (screwed up paper)
Collect foilage and create a collage
Bug hotels out of toilet rolls, sticks etc
Make bird food balls
Draw round their bodies for them to colour in
Roll paper across floor draw roads for their cars.

Do you have a local library? They often offer story sessions in school holidays or craft activities. It's more difficult with a range of ages. I've only had one child at a time, and a trip to a more distant park by bus went down well as did his first trip to the cinema with a longer bus ride. He was 3 and a half at the time. He also loved the trampoline park but we took him there when my DD was there too as it was a bit too physical for me. His mum recently took him there and he was worried she wouldn't know the way as he'd only been with Granny and Auntie! Unfortunately those types of places get very busy in school holidays - we went during term time.

Collect lots of different sized boxes and containers. Buy some reels of masking tape to create models but joining with the tape.
Dressing up with hats, waistcoats, scarves, pegs and masking tape.
Making pictures with natural items such as leaves, shells, feathers.
Jigsaws from cards or printed pictures.

for 12.99 you can buy 20 finger puppets on amazon. Children and an adults make up stories.

THE TWIDDLERS - 20 Plush Animal Finger Puppet Toys for Boys & Girls, Great for Parties & Party Bag Fillers for Kids, Includes Animal & People Puppets for Story Playtime

Hi everyone ,
I’m a new gran here and I’m so happy to be here!! I would suggest making forts with blankies and pillows - my DGS loves those to bits bless him 🤣. Also recommend the gruffalo- a sentimental classic! Granny Pringle out !

after lunch have quiet time, with books. My dgc loved that short time, maybe 20 -30 minutes. You will have to be strict if they aren`t used to being calm

Then wrap up and outside play. Young children do like structure

When they come in again, milk and a biscuit and a den-making session

Thank you all very much for your suggestions. I apologise for not thanking you sooner but we were so busy having fun with various ideas but you gave.
I get so much advice from GN but this was the first time that I ever asked for advice.
Thank you all. It's all peaceful now and we are just back to DH and I 😁

Chasing the cat?