Winter Indoor Activities for Kids at Home

This time of year, with the colder temps outside and fewer daylight hours, it can sometimes be challenging to help our kids get their energy out or keep them engaged and having fun. For those on the hunt for some fun winter indoor activity ideas, you’re in the right place!

Relaxing Activities

Family Movie Night

Transform your living room into a home theater with comfy blankets, popcorn, and a family-friendly movie. Let the kids take turns picking the film, and add themed activities to make the night even more special, like drawing characters from the movie or having a trivia quiz afterward. I love this Disney Themed Dinner and Movie Night Idea.

Have an indoor picnic

We love this activity for cold days or for rainy ones, and it inevitably makes a meal so much more whimsical. Eating together on the living room floor? How neat! Put down a blanket, lay out the spread, and enjoy this special mealtime.

Plant an indoor garden

You can use an egg carton or small cups for this project – no special equipment required! Planting herbs indoors can be a great route to take, and your children will love watching the fruits (er…herbs) of their labor come to life before their eyes. (Once they’re ready to use, involve your kids in including what you’ve grown in dishes. They’ll be so proud that they played a big role in the meal’s flavor, AND they’ll be more likely to happily eat it themselves!)

Creative Activities

Do arts and crafts

Arts and crafts are perfect for stimulating creativity. Set up a DIY craft station with supplies like colored paper, glue, markers, and stickers. Crafting keeps little hands busy and can be a fun way to teach new skills. This can be as simple as just coloring, which can keep both of my kiddos occupied for a while (and is something they enjoy doing together, too). Or you can get a little more sophisticated/structured and find a cute craft idea on Pinterest or Instagram to tackle. We’ve also loved Kids Art Box subscriptions for my 5-year-old, which come in themed boxes filled with fun, creative, Montessori-style crafts she and I LOVE doing together!

Bake something yummy together

Involving kids in the kitchen is a fantastic way to teach them about food and cooking. Try simple baking recipes like cookies, cupcakes, or homemade pizza. You can even make it a family competition, where everyone decorates their own treats. My daughter and I love baking together any time of year, but in the winter I find we do it even more often. To make the activity even more fun (and longer), bake something you can then decorate – what kid doesn’t love adding frosting and sprinkles to their creation? (Quick tip: Look for sprinkles that are free from artificial dyes, and that are colored with natural dyes like vegetables instead.)

Build a fort

My kids got Nugget pillows as their big Christmas gift, so the fort-building game is strong at our house these days. Even without something like that, help your children collect fort-building materials (blankets, sturdy pillows, chairs, etc.) and let them go to town.

Make homemade cloud dough or slime

Nothing is more entertaining to kids than gooey, mushy, and sticky things. Why not add in the fun of them helping make their own? Cloud dough is super easy to make! In fact, even a toddler can help out. You can find the recipe and directions here. To make slime, there are two recipes that are easy and with only a few ingredients. Since toddlers tend to like taste test everything, try this recipe because it does not contain Borax. If your children are a little older than go with this recipe. Both projects can be a little messy but if put in the right containers and played with at a table (maybe cover with paper or washable tablecloth) then the mess will be less of an issue.

Make musical instruments

If you don’t mind a little noise, you can get some free time (but not quiet) while the kids create their own songs and rhythm. Pull out household items such as large kitchen pots, wooden spoons, Tupperware, put rubber bands on a Kleenex box, and an empty paper towel roll (use as a trumpet). Put on your headphones momma and let the kids have at it.

Masking tape or painter’s tape activities

If you have carpeted floors then regular masking tape is fine to use but if you have hardwood then use painter’s tape. It is less likely to leave a sticky residue. Games and activities that you can make are hopscotch, bullseye (toss things like beanbags), racetracks, jumping the river, etc.

Legos or other building blocks

You really can’t go wrong with the fun and creative building that these can bring to all ages. Even most adults don’t mind participating in this childhood activity.

Indoor Physical Activities

Burn off energy indoors with fitness games that keep everyone active. Create obstacle courses, have a dance-off, or try indoor exercises like yoga or stretching routines.

Dance party

We love an impromptu dance party while dinner’s being cooked, but an open mic night takes things up a notch. Consider having your kids really go all out by creating tickets for the event, and even assigning songs for everyone to sing. You can also use interactive video games like Just Dance or Ring Fit Adventure for a fun and engaging workout. 

Kids Charades

Charades can be a fun game for the whole family. When coming up for ideas to use in the game try to base it on the age group of the kids. For young children, think of simple ideas that they can act out like animals or cartoon shows. If the kids are a bit older you can combine ideas. However, if you need help thinking of some, check out the fun charade ideas on a site called Moms & Munchkins.

Activity Cube

On each of the six sides you can write the name of a basic exercise, such as: push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, etc. Each person gets a chance to roll the cube and everyone has to do whichever exercise it lands on. Whoever can do the most of that particular exercise wins that round. It’s another great way to exhaust that pent-up energy.

Nerf fun

Nerf darts are typically soft enough to use indoors. You could create a target practice by stacking empty soda cans or plastic cups. This will remind them of carnival or fair games.

Indoor Scavenger Hunt

An indoor scavenger hunt is a great way to get kids moving around the house while searching for hidden treasures. You can create themed hunts based on items you already have or make it educational by having kids find objects that start with certain letters or are specific colors. We love to create a big paper with all the Uppercase letters and hide Post-it notes with lowercase letters around the house to have the kids match them one they find them.

Indoor bowling

To keep things from getting broken in the house, use a rubber ball. For the pins use empty toilet paper rolls or empty water bottles. In other words, you can use anything that stands up on its own and is easily knocked over.

Indoor ring toss

If you don’t mind taking a few minutes to cut up a couple of paper plates then this activity is for you. To make the stand simply take an empty paper towel roll and cut a few slits in one end. Then, flatten the flaps out and tape it down to the backside of a paper plate. Cut holes in a few other paper plates (to create rings). Have the kids decorate the rings. Lastly, toss your homemade rings and try to get them on the stand.

Balloon ball aka Keepy Uppy (if you are a Bluey fan)

Simply blow up a balloon and toss it back and forth. Each player will try to not let the balloon hit the floor. If you want to use something other than your hands you can make “rackets” out of paper plates with Popsicle sticks glued/taped to them (to create a handle).

Sometimes, staying at home is the best option for keeping the family entertained. Whether it’s bad weather or you just want a cozy day inside, these indoor activities will keep everyone busy and having fun.

Share your favorite indoor activities in the comments below!

By TMoM Team

Want to see more blogs like this and also get notifications on local events and happenings? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletters here.