By TMoM Team Member Sandy Harper

When the weather doesn’t cooperate, parents may struggle to find things to do indoors to keep their children entertained and out of trouble!

So what do you do with those energy filled children, besides sitting them in front of the TV or another device? Don’t fret, here are a few ideas that can entertain their minds and release their energy.

Physical Activities

• Dance party – Crank the music up and start dancing! Everyone can show of their dance moves. Also, this is perfect for mom and dad too because dancing is great cardio and calorie burner.
• 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.
• Scavenger hunt – This can be fun for toddlers and older children. For toddlers, use picture cards of items they need to find around the house. For older children, leave clues or puzzles that they have to figure out to find a certain item.
• Indoor ring toss – If you don’t mind taking a few minutes to cut up a couple 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 – 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).
• 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 target practice by stacking empty soda cans or plastic cups. This will remind them of carnival or fair games.

Creative Activities

• Cook together – This is another fun idea for any age. You just have to pick simpler recipes or jobs for younger children. Baked goods are the most fun to do with younger children. They can help add things to the mixing bowl and even help mix those ingredients. For older children this is a great opportunity to have them help with making dinners. This makes it a great life skill learned early. Plus, they can learn other skills like measurements, reading recipes and the responsibility of cleaning up after themselves.
• Create an indoor city of tents and tunnels – For some reason kids love hiding out and playing in tents. You can use whatever you find in the house, such as: kitchen chairs, couch cushions, blankets, boxes, etc. If you use cardboard boxes, the kids can decorate them and even cut out doors and windows. Their imaginations is the limit to this being endless fun.
• 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 your own lava lamps – Making a lava lamp will be entertaining and educational for preschooler age and up. They are simple to make and you most likely already have all the ingredients. This site, Hands on as We Grow, has easy to follow directions.
• 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 than 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, jump 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.

Enjoy these winter fun indoor activities during this cold and wet season. Please comment if you have other indoor activity ideas. Happy playing!

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