I can’t remember my basic understanding of this from organic chem, so I need sometime to explain it like I’m 5 (36). Lol.
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Some elements are bigger than other elements. And every atom has an electron cloud around it. So sometimes, during reactions, if an atom (like H) approaches a molecule for bonding for example, then there may be a bigger atom in the way (like Cl or Br) and prevent the atom from bonding at that location. So the atom will go to a place which is a little less crowded. This is steric hindrance.
Edit: There are also other effects due to steric hindrances, like slow reactions, unstable products etc. Please note that my Cl and Br example may not be the best one. But that is what I could think of at the moment.
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