9 Indoor Activities To Keep Your Kids Entertained This Winter

It’s that time of year...and no I don’t mean the holidays. It’s the time when your kids are cooped up inside for the season. Gone are the days of sunlight in the evenings when kids can stay outside, move, and play! But don’t worry - just because you and your kids are about to be inside a lot more - doesn’t mean you need to lose your sanity! The Behavior Place has got you covered with indoor activities to keep your kiddos entertained this season.

Bring the snow inside! Is it too cold to go out? Maybe you just don’t have the time to go outside with your little ones? You can use a large flat container, serving tray, or something similar, and fill it up with snow. The kids can play with it using spoons, playdoh toys (if you have ‘em!), or small cups. Your kiddo can even make a small snowman. For younger kids, you can bury small toys or figurines for them to dig up and explore with their hands or use spoons. The best part? If it spills - it’s just water! No worrying about a mess!

Paint the snow! Here’s another activity your little ones will love: get a tray of snow and use watercolor and paintbrushes to make a masterpiece.  Your kiddos will love seeing all the fun colors appear on the snow!

Balloons! Not helium balloons, plain ole’ 10-for-a-dollar balloons. You can play “Keep It Up” (you keep hitting the balloon in the air and don’t let it touch the floor). When the balloon does touch the floor you can make up a silly rule like, “the last one who touched it does 10 jumping jacks” or “the last one who touched it has to find something blue” etc. You can draw faces on the balloons. Or a personal favorite: balloon tennis. Break out the spatulas or tape some paper plates onto the end of paint sticks for rackets. For older kids, make it harder so the game will last longer! Perhaps you can only use one hand, or every time a player hits the balloon they need to name a food, color, etc., or simply have them count and see how high they can get!

The Classics! Hide-and-Seek, Red Light-Green Light, and Simon Says. Don’t underestimate these...they’re classics for a reason. Kids love ‘em and parent’s love ‘em because they teach following directions, listening to others, and positive social interactions!

Build a Fort! Take those couch cushions off the couch - they’re about to be walls on your kid's castle! Use cushions, blankets, chairs, and make a big fort to play in. Help them, or let them figure it out...building the fort is half the fun!

Ready...Set...Go! Make a racetrack for all those toy cars your kids have laying around. Use tape for roads, cardboard boxes for ramps, and paper towel tubes for tunnels. The kids will love building and racing the cars all around.

Scavenger hunt! Make a list of clues and send your kids around the house. This one takes a little prep time, but it’s so worth it! Have a little surprise ready at the end of the hunt for them to find...or maybe the materials they’ll need for the next activity (like the balloon game previously mentioned!).

Slime?! Yes, slime! There are plenty of DIY slime recipes out there using ingredients you probably already have in your home. Just google “DIY slime recipe” and dozens are bound to show up. This one needs some parent supervision unless your kids are older and can measure ingredients themselves. A new personal favorite is “DIY snow” (because it’s white and fluffy). It uses conditioner and baking soda to create a fun mixture your kids will love! Just use 2 ½ cups of baking soda mixed with ½ cup of white conditioner!

Surprise watercolor painting! Before painting, use a white crayon to draw on plain white paper- the crayon will be barely visible (or not at all). Draw letters, shapes, anything your kids will love to find! When you’re finished, use watercolor paint and paintbrushes to paint over the paper; the crayon drawings will appear! Your kids will think it’s magic! Can’t find a paintbrush? Q-tips can work in a pinch!

Remember this winter to have fun! Your kids will love these activities, but they would also love simply playing with you! Playing with your child is a great time to model appropriate play skills and give them your attention. No time to make a racetrack on your living room floor? Read your child a book! Use silly voices for different characters, or for younger learners maybe you can tact (label) items in the book. Time spent playing with your child can teach them so much and is one of the best ways to spend time indoors!