Kids live for that first snow when they can have snowball fights, build snowmen, and make snow angels. But some days, there is no way anyone is going outside. Kids get sick more often, the temperature gets too cold, and it gets dark so early in the winter, and the activities move from outside to inside.
You now have to come up with ways to keep everyone entertained that the kids won’t say is boring. Make fun core memories and do all these amazing indoor activities for kids this winter when playing outside is not an option.
Activities to get everyone moving
Obstacle course
It might feel like your house is set up for an obstacle course daily, but let the kids take it further. Use every chair, side table, cushion, stack of books, and large toy you have, and turn your house into the biggest obstacle course ever. You could make things a bit like American Gladiator and have the rest of the family shoot Nerf guns at the one going through the course.
Carnival games
All those little carnival games that are usually under the tent or in the center can be played at home. You might have to rework them to use things you have around the house, but throwing small items in cups, guessing the number of something in a container, and rolling a ball or marble down a maze or path can all be put together pretty simply.
Play games
Get the whole family in on Duck Duck Goose, Musical Chairs, and Heads Up 7 Up. It may have been a while since the parents played these games, so don’t get too upset if the kids win every time.
Creative activities
Make a snow globe
Making a snow globe at home isn’t that hard and doesn’t require a ton of supplies. All you need are a few empty glass jars with lids, your child’s favorite pictures, glue, water, and whatever you want the snow to be, from glitter to sparkles.
Make snowflakes
This is always a hit. Grab white and various shades of blue construction paper and let your child see what shapes and patterns they can make. The best part is you can hang them up around the house and have a winter wonderland inside.
Paint the outside
Get a canvas and paints, sit everyone near a window, and let them paint what they see outside. Parents need to participate in this one, too. You can hang the final masterpieces up every holiday season or let them be a focal point all year.
Cozy activities
Hot cocoa station
No one turns down hot cocoa on a chilly winter evening. Make it a whole event and create a hot cocoa station with different kinds of marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolates, various drizzles, whip creams, and mini candy bars to decorate. Make sure the adults have one, too, because everyone needs to feel like a kid every once in a while.
Stay in and read
Any chance to sit and read should not be skipped. Those classic tales make you feel right at home and should be read every year, so gather the kids and take turns reading Christmas stories for the evening.
Go on an adventure online
You can hike along the beautiful wilderness, go on a virtual field trip to a museum or zoo, or take a stunning train ride across multiple countries, all online. You can go to the museum’s website to find the virtual tour or look up virtual tours on YouTube to feel like you are in the countryside walking through the mountains. You could even jump on the Hogwarts train and have a magical trip to the school.
Sorting
When you can’t go outside, you might as well organize inside, right? From your socks to coins, find a project that needs sorting by color or style and let the kids tackle it. You could even turn sorting the junk drawer into a fun activity. Who knows what the kids will find in there?
Draw a map
Pick your home, school, or town, and see who can draw the most realistic map. It could be a fun way to find out where you need to help your child learn more about their surroundings, or maybe they will teach you to look at your space differently by catching something you have never noticed.
Write holiday cards
Cold winter days where going outside isn’t an option are the best for getting those Christmas cards done. Even if you don’t send everyone a card for the holidays, have the kids write one to their best friends or immediate family. There are lists of homebound and elderly neighbors you could get from local churches and senior centers your kids could write to, to help spread that holiday cheer.
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean we all have to sit in the house staring at a screen. While cleaning can always be an option to give everyone something to do, let’s make it more fun. Being stuck in the house can be a chance to make family memories when you rotate these indoor activities for kids all winter long.
