20 fun and simple
indoor
winter activities
for kids
20 fun and simple
Indoor Winter Activities for Kids
Cold, winter temperatures are upon us which means kids are spending much more time indoors and have a lot more pent-up energy.
Here is a list of 20 simple, indoor winter activities for kids that will help them get out that high energy in a positive and fun way.
1.
Make an Obstacle course
Create an obstacle course in your home. Use pillows, chairs, cushions, hula hoops, jump ropes, scarves laundry baskets, cones or anything else you have around the house. For extra fun, grab a timer and time each run!
2.
Make a Fort
Grab some blankets, pillows and chairs and make a indoor fort. Add a flashlight or twinkle lights. Use the fort for reading, eating snacks or watching movies.
3.
Blanket Rides
Grab a large blanket, lay it on the floor and have your child hop on. Place a pillow behind them for extra safety. Pull your child around the house on the blanket!
4.
Indoor scavenger hunt
Cut and hide the picture squares around the house. Have your child find the hidden pictures and mark the items off the scavenger hunt list.
5.
indoor snowball fight
Grab some soft, faux snowballs and have a friendly, indoor snowball fight. Make a rule of no snowballs to the face. You can also use balled up socks for snowballs.
6.
movement ribbons
Movement ribbons are an excellent way to get kids moving indoors. The activities and games are endless. Check out YouTube for Movement Ribbon activities.
7.
spot marker activities
Spot Markers are a go to in our house during the winter. Use them to create an obstacle course around the house, to play hot lava or freeze hop. Check out YouTube for other spot marker games (also called Poly Spots)
8.
cardboard playhouse
Grab a bunch of cardboard boxes. some masking tape and markers to create a cardboard playhouse. Invite your child to color and decorate the playhouse.
9.
Wash the dishes
Set out a bunch of plastic bowls, cups and safe utensils. Fill the sink with soapy water and let your child wash the dishes! Play soft music while they play.
10.
pool noodle race tracks
Cut pool noodles lengthwise. Place the noodles on an incline and race balls, cars or marbles down the race tracks!
11.
Create a special book nook
Create a cozy reading nook. Add pillows, LED lights, blankets, a flashlight, stuffed animal and books.
12.
Freeze Dance
Turn on some upbeat, fun music and play Freeze Dance. Whenever the music is paused-everyone needs to freeze until the music starts again.
13.
indoor bowling
Grab some empty plastic bottles and a ball (or balled up socks) and set up a bowling game! You can also buy a bowling game for kids if you prefer.
14.
tunnel races
Tunnels are a safe way for kids to burn off lots of energy! They fold up easily and don’t take up a lot of storage space.
15.
bean bag toss
Bean Bag Toss games are a great way to practice throwing skills in the house.
16.
hopscotch mat
We often think of Hopscotch as an outdoor game-but this mat allows you to bring hopscotch inside.
17.
hallway races
Compete in hallway races! You can run, hop, skip, side step, crawl like an animal or just about any other movement you can think of. Start at one end of a hallway and mark a finish line on the other end of the hallway. Go back and forth as many times as you want. Turn on some upbeat music to create a fun vibe.
18.
pillow pile jumps
Throw a bunch of pillows and cushions on the floor. Invite your child to jump into the pile! SAFETY FIRST. Make sure you carefully set up and supervise this activity so no one gets hurt.
19.
Bear Hunt
Hide a teddy bear somewhere in the house. Invite your child to go on a bear hunt to find the hidden bear. For added fun, play the song Going on a Bear Hunt.
20.
get up and move dice
These dice are awesome and make indoor movement easy and fun. Simply roll the dice and complete the actions.
