Don’t let the winter blues weigh you down! It’s the perfect time to bring the fun indoors when it's cold outside! With some creativity, you can turn those dreary winter days into memorable adventures for your kiddos.
From arts and crafts to indoor picnics, we’ve rounded up 12 indoor winter activities for kids that are guaranteed to keep them entertained and engaged – no matter how frosty it is outside. Let’s banish those winter blues together with these fun-filled ideas!
Make Beautiful and Charming Friendship Bracelets
Making beautiful friendship bracelets is a fun way to help your kids get creative and practice hand-eye coordination as they clip the charms onto the bracelets. Plus, they get to show off their style and make special gifts for their friends.
Want an easy way to get started? Check out Style-Your-Own CharmWow Unicorns and Mermaids Charms Bracelets! Each kit makes four bracelets and comes with lots of trendy charms and everything your kids need to make awesome friendship bracelets for their BFFs!
Make DIY Water Bottles
In winter, it’s extra important for your kids to drink enough water to stay healthy. Dehydration can be more of a problem during the colder months, so reminding them to hydrate regularly is crucial. One fun way to do this is by giving them their own special water bottle.
This Decorate-Your-Own Gemstone Water Bottle lets your kids personalize their bottles with gemstone stickers that sparkle like jewels. By making their own water bottles, they have a cool craft to do and a constant reminder to drink up and stay hydrated – keeping them feeling their best all winter.
Build DIY Lanterns for Your Teen’s Room
Creating DIY lanterns for your kid’s room is a beautiful winter craft project perfect for parents, tweens, and teens to enjoy together. With the Build-Your-Own Prismic™ Lantern, your tweens will stay busy for hours as they work on building stunning lanterns they can proudly display in their bedrooms.
Prismic™ offers different levels of complexities, so there’s something for everyone. For example, the Prismic™ Star is the easiest option and takes about an hour to complete, while the more intricate Prismics™ (the Bear, Dog, or Unicorn) provide a greater challenge with their complex designs. These DIY lanterns will keep your kids busy during cold winter days!
Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar
Setting up a hot chocolate bar is a delightful way to spice up your winter! Start by setting up a designated area with all the essentials for making delicious hot chocolate. Prepare a pot of rich and creamy hot chocolate on the stove and keep it warm in a slow cooker.
Arrange a variety of toppings and treats to complement the drink, like whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Don’t forget to include some tasty snacks like strawberries, pretzels, nuts, and pastries to enjoy alongside the warm drink. With a hot chocolate station, everyone can customize their drink just how they like it!
Build an Indoor Fort
Building an indoor fort is a classic childhood activity that’s simple and fun! Gather pillows, cushions, and blankets so your kids can construct their cozy hideaway. Once built, you can add cushions and soft lighting or hang a Prismic™ Hanging Heart Lantern to make it extra comfy. Your kids can use the fort as a reading nook, clubhouse, or movie theater. Don’t forget to bring snacks and games to make it more enjoyable!
Make a Boredom Jar
Have you heard of the Boredom Jar? It’s a jar full of fun activities to do when your kids say they’re “bored.” The idea is they pick out one and they do it.
To make the Boredom Jar, the first step is to gather a bunch of popsicle sticks. Let your kids write down their favorite activities on each stick and decorate them however they like. Make sure each stick has a different boredom buster written on it. Here are some ideas:
- Go on a bike ride.
- Do a science experiment.
- Bake cookies,
- Build a fort.
- Walk the dog.
- Play a board game.
- Read a book.
- Clean your room.
- Do a puzzle.
So, the next time your kids utter those dreaded words, just point them to the Boredom Jar, and they’ll never be bored again!
Play an Indoor Game
Playing indoor games with your kids is a fantastic way to have fun and stay active, even when stuck inside. There are so many games to choose from, but to start, consider classic board games that challenge the mind but bring out competitive spirits. If you want something more active, set up a mini obstacle course using furniture and household items.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Red Light, Green Light
- Indoor Hopscotch
- Charades
- Musical Chairs
- Hide and Seek
- Indoor Scavenger Hunt
- Hot Potato
- Pin the Tail on the Donkey
- Ring Toss
Do a Puzzle Together
Doing puzzles together as a family is a fantastic way to pass the time, especially when it’s snowing outside. With Color-In Puzzles, the whole family can join in on the fun! Each kit includes two color-in puzzles along with 10 markers, so there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your kids losing the markers because the kit also comes with a handy color-in pencil case! Your kids will enjoy coloring and putting the puzzles together, making it a double dose of fun!
Read Winter-Themed Stories
Whether you’re curled under a blanket, gathered around the fireplace, or nestled in your newly built indoor fort, reading winter-themed stories with snowflakes and icy adventures can bring the spirit of winter to life! Reading together with your kids fosters a love for literature, turning story time into special moments you’ll both remember.
Here are some book ideas you can read with your little ones:
- The Thing About Yetis by Vin Vogel
- A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson
- Blizzard by John Rocco
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- No Two Alike by Keith Baker
- Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Make a DIY Pompom Purse
Stay cozy indoors this winter with the Craft-Your-Own Pompom Purse! Your tweens and teens can make their own stylish bag while curled up on the couch with a blanket and watching their favorite movie. It can’t get any cozier than that! This craft is perfect for tweens and teens to do with their parents.
The finished purse is fashionable and practical – they will LOVE using them! They can wear it as an over-the-shoulder bag or carry it elegantly as a handbag. Once completed, they can fill their soft and fluffy ombre pompom purses with their things and take them wherever they go!
Have an Indoor Picnic
Having an indoor picnic is a wonderful way to enjoy delicious food and cozy vibes without stepping outside. Spread out a blanket, pack a basket with your favorite treats, and gather your loved ones for a fun-filled lunch indoors.
You can prepare sandwiches, pasta salads, muffins, granola bars, and refreshing drinks. To make it extra special, you can watch a movie together while you picnic – it’s a great twist on your average outdoor outing!
Color the Snow
Coloring the snow is a delightful indoor activity that brings the magic of winter indoors! If it’s snowing outside, bring some snow inside and place it in a clear container. Then, let the kids get creative by coloring the snow using a mixture of water and food coloring. Fill a spray or squirt bottle with water and a few drops of food coloring. Start with primary colors like red, yellow, and blue, and experiment by mixing them to create new colors.
By coloring the snow, your kids can explore color theory and combinations as they see the colors blend and transform right before their eyes. Just remember to keep the colored snow in a cool place to prevent it from melting too quickly!
We hope you enjoyed our top 12 indoor winter activities for kids! They’re perfect for keeping the fun going when it’s cold outside. So, get ready to turn a snowy day into a new adventure and make great memories with your kids!
