Best Indoor Activities for Kids During the Colder Months
The winter months can bring all kinds of unpredictable weather. Depending on where you live, you may experience frigid temperatures, wind chill, and the accumulation of ice and snow. This makes spending time outdoors more difficult. Sometimes, it may even be impossible. If you're forced to stay inside during the cold months and you have kids, you may be wondering how to keep them entertained. There's no need to worry, though. Whether you stay home or venture out in the car, there are plenty of fun ways to enjoy even the coldest of winter days. Read on to discover our best picks for indoor activities to enjoy with the kids.
Get Creative with Arts & Crafts
Help kids explore their creative side with an afternoon of arts and crafts. There're so many things for them to try, from making candles to playing with modeling clay. You don't have to go all out, though. Simple, budget-friendly crafts, like coloring and origami, can be just as fun. This is also a great opportunity to upcycle things around the house. Paper plates, for instance, can be transformed into mysterious masks with just a bit of string and paint.
Bake Delicious Treats
Baking is another great way to spend a day indoors with the kids. You get to enjoy bonding time while they develop a valuable life skill. The house will also smell heavenly, and you'll have extra treats to put in their lunch boxes that week that they made! Let your little ones pick out a kid-friendly recipe beforehand to be sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Cookies are always a classic choice. Make it extra fun by decorating them with toppings. Sprinkles, gummies, and edible glitter are sure to delight your little chefs.
Have Fun with Games
Enjoy a bit of friendly competition with the kids by hosting your own game tournament. Depending on the size of your family, you can play in teams or compete one on one. Break out the board games, start a LAN party, or set up the video controllers. Add delicious snacks, cozy drinks, and your comfiest men's or women's loungewear and you're in for a lot of fun.
Enjoy a Movie Marathon
Watching a movie is another great activity to enjoy with the kids in winter. It's easy to forget how cold it is outside when you're being transported to new worlds through cinema. Enjoy the classic movie experience at the theater with one or more showings of your choice. You can also stay home and cuddle up on the couch. Make a bowl of popcorn, grab a cozy throw blanket, and get ready to snuggle the day away.
Visit the Library
A trip to the library is another fun way to enjoy cold winter days. Kids who love reading and listening to audiobooks will delight in picking out new titles to borrow. You can also choose one to read together when you get home. Many libraries offer free activities, like reading circles and scavenger hunts, to entertain kids. It's also a great opportunity to get help with homework or school projects. There's plenty to keep your little one busy, including making new friends!
Explore a Museum
Like libraries, many museums cater to kids. From free activity kits to interactive learning programs, there's a lot to keep them entertained on cold days. Museums also present plenty of opportunities to create your own fun. It's the ideal environment for games like I Spy, for example. At an art museum, you can rename the paintings or try to copy the subjects' poses. It's easy to turn any visit into a scavenger hunt, too. Simply ask the kids to find certain artifacts or exhibits on the museum map.
Solve an Escape Room
Escape rooms are a great way to engage curious young minds. Solving puzzles helps kids develop their memory and problem-solving skills. It also creates a fun bonding experience to share as a family. While some escape rooms accept younger kids, most are recommended for ages 10 and up. As a safe bet, inquire about the level of difficulty at the venue beforehand. If visiting an escape room is not an option, try a mystery-solving game at home instead. Most come in a board game format, but you can also play some online.
Go to the Mall
The mall offers a bit of everything for everyone: shopping, dining, beauty treatments, and various forms of entertainment. It's also a great way to get some exercise when you'd rather not be outside. Young kids will love visiting the pet supplies store or picking out a new toy. Older kids may want to hit up the arcade or try on new clothes. It's a chance for everyone to do what they want at the same time.
From visiting the mall to baking yummy treats, there are plenty of ways to have fun with kids in the winter. Try one of the activities on our list the next time the temperature dips. They're guaranteed to bring you and your little ones hours of fun, no matter how intense the weather.