Indoor Activities for Kids {During COLD Weather}

Winter (cold weather) is coming.  There, I said it.  Are you ready? I have been thinking a lot lately, about how much time I have spent outside with my girls these past six or seven months. “Outside” and “playground” are two of their favorite words.  It makes me sad and honestly, a little nervous to think about keeping 2-year-old twins entertained indoors for the next few, very long months.  So instead of mourning the loss of our nice weather and summer, how about I give you some fun, inexpensive, indoor activities that I have done or plan to do this winter.  And in return, you share some of yours!  Sound good?   Deal.  Here are my top 10…

1. Ball pit with slide – For my girls first birthday, we decided to make them their own “ball pit”.  We just used a plastic pool ($6 from Menards) that we already had and bought three bags of balls at Target.  Although I’m sure you could get them online cheaper.  Also, we had a slide and put the slide into the pool.  The girls have spent hours playing on the slide and in the ball pit.  We’ve had it out for a year now, and they still love it.
2. Balloon tennis – Do you have paper plates, popsicle sticks and a balloon?  Then you are ready for balloon tennis.  Attach the paper plates and popsicle sticks to make your “racket”, blow up the balloon, and you are ready to go.  See how long you can keep it in the air, how high you can get the balloon or see who is the first to let the balloon hit the floor.  (Just be careful to dispose of the balloon once you are done.  Balloons can be a serious choking hazard for young kiddos if popped.)
3. Glow sticks in the bathtub – Do I need to say more?  I have found glow sticks in the dollar section at Target, and you can also find them at a dollar store.  Just turn the lights out and you are set.
4. Forts – You can get very creative with making forts, but really, all you need are blankets and chairs.  Once you have created your fort, have fun playing inside.  My girls love to read in the forts that we make.  If you have kids that are a little older, pretend you are in the desert or in the woods camping.  Have fun with it and encourage your kids to use their imagination.
5. Boxes – There are a number of things you can do with boxes.  We got a new patio set this summer and it came with a big box.  My husband turned the box into a “house”.  He cut windows and a door into it.  Again the girls love to read and just be in their “house.”  Some other ideas for boxes are…
   a. Costumes – maybe you could cut holes into it and your child could be a robot or some other character.
   b. Crafts – Give your kiddos some paint, markers, crayons, and box and let them turn it into something.
6. Crafts/ coloring – There are SO many crafty ideas, but here are a few.
   a. Finger paint – What kid doesn’t love to get messy and finger paint?  Buy a cheap shower curtain, lay it over your table, strip your kiddo down to underwear or a diaper and let them go!
   b. Handprint art – With the idea of finger painting, have your child make a print of their hand and then decorate it.  You could turn it into an animal (turkey, elephant) or maybe a flower.
   c. Noodle necklace – Elbow noodles (try to find noodles that are different colors) and string.  Watch your child work on their coordination as they make themselves a necklace.
   d. Marshmallows and toothpicks (for older kids) – Buy a bag of mini- marshmallows and a box of toothpicks.  See what kind of structure they can come up with!
   e. Make goop – Again, what kid doesn’t love to be messy?  This is the perfect opportunity for them to have fun and learn by helping you make this goop.
7. Bake/cook healthy meals and snacks – They have to eat anyways, so why not let them be a part of it?  Letting them help may also make them more interested in and willing to try new foods.  For tons of great recipes, visit Tara’s (one of our MMB    contributors) site.
8. Rotate toys – This isn’t as much of an activity, as it is a strategy.  Something that has worked well for us is to rotate and switch out the girls’ toys.  When they get their “old” toys back after not seeing them for a few weeks, they act like they are new again.  It helps keep them interested!
9. Hide and seek- Play a good- ole game of hide and seek, or some version of it, depending on how old your kids are!
10.  GO outside…  Ok, I know technically, I’m supposed to be writing about indoor activities, but it’s still ok to bring your children outside.  It’s actually good and healthy for them to be outside in the winter!  Take the 15 minutes to get everyone ready, and just go for it.  Take a walk, play in the snow, go sledding, and just breathe in the fresh air that we so desperately long for in the winter.  Then come inside and have some hot chocolate!

I hope these ideas will help you keep your kids engaged and happy this winter.  Please take the time to be present with your kids (not just physically), but to really be there and spend time with them.  These ideas are not intended for the kids to do on their own, but for you to do WITH them.  Enjoy these activities and more importantly, enjoy your children!

Ok, we had a deal… I’d love to hear some of your ideas!  Please comment below.