While we are still in the midst of the winter months and the air is too frigid for the kids to play outside for too long, it is the perfect opportunity to do some fun indoor activities that are not only fun and engaging but can be educational and help with development too. Here are some ideas!
6 Fun Winter Activities for Kids to Help with Cold-Weather Blues
1. Make a Fort
We can all remember taking the cushions off the couch and creating our own secret hideaway in the living room, which is why building a fort to this day is considered a classic activity for kids to do on a rainy or snowy day. Fort building allows for kids to participate in teamwork, engage in problem solving and also creates a calming sensory environment once the fort is built.
2. Bake Cookies
There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting throughout the house to make a winter day feel even cozier. Baking cookies and with your kids not only gives them the satisfaction of contributing and keeps them busy but also introduces them to some introductory culinary skills, not to mention everyone gets to enjoy a treat at the end!
3. Coloring
Coloring (and using kid-friendly scissors) is an excellent activity to help wind down. Perhaps best to help prepare for a nap or just before dinner. Coloring has been shown to relieve anxiety through smooth repetitive movements, improve focus by aiming to color within the lines and overall creates a somewhat meditative state that leads to some peace and quiet for the parents when needed (which is what makes it one of our favorite fun winter activities for kids).
4. Make Slime
Making slime has really gained a lot of popularity among kids over the past few years, and is one of the best fun winter activities for kids. Although you could buy slime pretty much anywhere these days, it is actually really engaging and super easy to make! All you need is a large container of glue, borax, water and some optional mix-in’s such as glitter and coloring to make your own custom recipe. Playing with slime also has the benefit of improving fine motor skills and creating a fun sensory experience.
5. Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes have amused and frustrated parents for generations, and are one of the best indoors activities for kids. Although it can be slightly infuriating to buy your child an expensive toy only to have them become more enamored with the box that it came in, It’s actually a really good thing! When kids play with boxes, it is a great way for them to participate in immersive and creative play. They not only learn resourcefulness through just the use of their imaginations to create various situations and environments but it also helps to improve spatial awareness as well.
6. Dance Party
Need a way to get a lot of energy out and quickly? Frustrated because it's cold outside an you need to find indoors activities for kids to help get energy out? Have a dance party! Dancing is a scientifically proven way to boost the mood, burn calories through sustained cardiovascular exercise and promote bonding. Not to mention that it’s just a lot of fun!
