Indoor games
for puppies
If you have a puppy, you know how much energy can fit into one tiny body, and how quickly that energy finds trouble when the weather keeps you indoors. These simple indoor games help busy little minds stay engaged, build confidence, and turn a rainy day into an adventure of its own.
Towel Roll
Muffin Tin Puzzle
Find the Toy
Snuffle Mat
Box SearchThese games can be suitable for puppies from around 8 weeks with close supervision and an age-appropriate setup.
If you have a puppy, you already know that a tired puppy is a happy puppy, and that getting them tired without winding them up is half the challenge. Physical play has its place, but enrichment games work differently. A sniff game or puzzle helps puppies slow down, focus, and use their brains at the same time.
Five minutes of nose work can sometimes do what twenty minutes of fetch can't.
Lana taught me this when she was a puppy. A simple towel roll or snuffle session before her nap often meant she would sleep for hours instead of waking up five minutes later ready for another adventure.
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The five puppy games
Each one takes minutes to set up and is gentle enough for puppies from 8 weeks on. Keep it short, and end while they're still loving it.
Towel Roll
2 minutesA hand towel, kibble or treats. Roll it up and let them unroll it.
02
Muffin Tin Puzzle
5 minutesA muffin tin, tennis balls and treats. Hide treats underneath.
03
Find the Toy
10 minutesA favourite toy and a few treats. Hide it and let them search.
04
Snuffle Mat
10 minutesScatter kibble or treats and let them sniff every piece out.
05
Box Search
10 minutesA few boxes, crumpled paper and treats tucked inside.
The puppy
enrichment kit ♡
A few well-loved pieces that make every day easier, gentler and happier for you and your puppy.
Shop enrichment toys
Puzzle Feeder
For busy minds View on Amazon →
Hide & Seek Toy
For find-it games View on Amazon →
Lick Bowl
For calm wind-downs View on Amazon →
Snuffle Treat Ball
For tug & sniff View on Amazon →
Fish Puzzle Feeder
For sliders & flips View on Amazon →
Spin Wheel Puzzle
For twist & sniff View on Amazon →
Snuffle Bowl
For deep foraging View on Amazon →
Fold-Up Toy
For tug & carry View on Amazon →
Honeycomb Chew Ball
For chompers View on Amazon →
Donut Shop Hide Toy
For find-it fun View on Amazon →
Floppy Hippo Plush
For cuddles & tug View on Amazon →A tired puppy is a happy puppy. Five minutes of sniffing does what twenty minutes of fetch can't, it empties their brain right out.From Life With Lana ♡
How to run a good puppy session
Keep it short, keep it easy, and always end while your puppy is still having fun.
Start with one simple game that suits your puppy's mood.
Puppies tire fast, so short sessions work better than long ones.
Let them win every time to build confidence.
Finish with a snuffle mat or a lick mat before nap time.
A good session often means a long, deep sleep afterwards.
Good to
know ♡
Quick answers to help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to make the most of playtime with your puppy.
What indoor games are good for puppies?
Simple games like towel roll, muffin tin puzzle, find the toy, snuffle mat and box search are all great indoor activities for puppies. They're gentle, engaging, and help build confidence while keeping minds busy.
How long should puppy enrichment sessions last?
Keep it to 5 to 10 minutes for young puppies. Their brains tire quickly and they can become overstimulated, so short and focused is always better than long. One or two sessions a day is plenty, and a deep nap afterwards means it worked.
Are snuffle mats safe for puppies?
Yes, snuffle mats are one of the gentlest enrichment tools for puppies. Scatter a small amount of kibble into the pile and let your puppy snuffle it out with their nose. It's calming, natural and perfectly sized for short attention spans. Always supervise so they don't chew the mat itself.
Can I use household items for puppy enrichment?
Absolutely. A hand towel, a muffin tin with tennis balls, and a couple of cardboard boxes are all you need for three different games tonight, no special equipment required. Store-bought toys like snuffle mats and puzzle feeders are lovely upgrades, but you can start right now with what's already in your kitchen.
Is mental stimulation important for puppies?
Very. Puppies need mental stimulation just as much as physical exercise, sometimes more. Sniffing, foraging and problem-solving tire a puppy's brain out in ways that running around often doesn't, which is exactly why a good nose-work session so often leads to a long, calm nap.
Are these games safe to play unsupervised with a puppy?
Always supervise puppies with games involving cardboard, tennis balls or small parts, puppies chew everything and pieces shouldn't be swallowed. A snuffle mat is the safest lower-supervision option, but staying close is always best with young dogs.
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