Cold or Wet Outside?
Top Things to Do Indoors with Kids!
Entertaining Kids in Winter
Entertaining kids and keeping them occupied in winter can be challenging with cooler temperatures, rain and shorter days. Winter weather can make heading outside unappealing and all of a sudden, activities such as trips to the playground and bike riding are not much fun. When the boredom sets in and kids are getting cranky, it’s handy to have some ideas for things to do indoors with kids to ensure they have fun during these chilly months.
There are many options to consider, especially if you want to avoid electronic devices or the TV, whether it’s a board game at home or venturing out to a local venue such as a trampoline park. Kids love to be included in decisions so have a conversation about what they’d like to do, switch on your imagination, use our list of best things to do with kids and away you go – the ideas are endless!
Activities at Home
With a bit of creativity, kids can have a lot of fun at home. Staying in has many benefits – it’s easy, you can get the kids involved with ideas and it’s usually free! Try some of these things to do with kids for starters:
1.Games and Jigsaws
Everyone loves a board game! It’s a quick and easy option to drag out the Monopoly or Uno, or clear space for a jigsaw the whole family can work on together to complete.
2. Cooking
Get out the beaters and bake a sweet treat or for something healthier, create mini pizzas or savoury muffins. Teach the kids about ingredients and nutrition. Alternatively, whip up a batch of homemade playdough!
3. Build a Cubby
Raid the linen cupboard and bedrooms for blankets and pillows and create a cosy cubby. The kids can spend hours in there playing cards, reading books and telling secrets!
4. Colouring and Drawing
Get out the crayons, pencils and textas and set up a mini art room at the kitchen table. Provide paper, colouring books and even paint with water books if you have them.
5. Put on a Concert
Lots of kids get a kick out of performing for an audience so they can put on some dress ups, select some tunes, get a hairbrush for a microphone and sing their hearts out.
6. Make a Life Size Drawing
Using a roll of paper, have your child lie on the paper so you can trace around their whole body. Let the kids colour and decorate themselves. This artwork may be a bit big to display on the fridge.
7. Arts and Crafts
A great way to get the imagination flowing! What have you got in the house? Paints, glitter, coloured paper, scissors, glue, stickers, ribbon? Check your recycling for things to use such as milk bottles, egg cartons and junk mail catalogues.
8. Tidy the Playroom
This is beneficial for everyone as you can get some order to what is usually a messy room, while the kids discover toys and games that may have been hidden for some time – they will love finding long lost favourites to play with again.
9. Have an Indoor Picnic
Get the kids to prepare picnic food, place a rug on the floor and enjoy! To increase the experience, download some sounds from nature to play in the background.
10. Create a Cinema
A cheap, hassle free movie option is to do it from home. Snuggle in with blankets, cook some popcorn, select a great family movie and hit play!
11. Make a Card or Write a Letter
In our world of technology, it’s lovely to receive something personal in the post. Kids can create a card or write a letter to post to a special friend or family member.
12. Mini Scavenger Hunt
Write a list of items for the kids to find around the house. Keep it simple such as items of clothing, food, things of a particular colour or shape.
13. Play Shop
Set up a mini shop with items from the pantry. Make some paper play money – draw and cut out notes and make coins by placing a real coin under paper, rubbing it with a pencil or crayon so the imprint shows and cutting it out. Teach kids good customer service while improving their maths and money skills.
14. Become Scientists
There are lots of simple science experiments you can do at home. The internet is your best resource for experiments.
Getting Out of the House
Regardless of the weather, there are days when you just need to get out of the house. See options below for some of the best things to do indoors with kids, away from the home, that everyone will enjoy:
1. Sports
There are many indoor sports centres so your kids can participate in a healthy activity and have lots of fun as a team.
2. Movies
An afternoon at the cinema is always a favourite with kids – relax watching a family friendly film while munching on a choc top!
3. Shopping
Spend some time wandering in an undercover shopping centre, purchase some household necessities, plan and stock up on some gifts for upcoming birthdays and treat the kids to a snack while you’re there.
4. Trampoline Parks
A healthy option for energetic kids, a centre such as Flip Out trampoline park provides bouncing fun, ninja courses and more!
5. Visit the library
More than just books, find what programs are currently on at your local library. A great option to stimulate little minds.
6. Museums
Look up museums in your local area and spend a few hours educating your kids while having fun.
7. Games Arcades
High stimulation for kids and heaps of fun!
8. Indoor Mini Golf
Check whether you have an indoor centre near you to bring out everyone’s healthy competitive streak!
9. Ten Pin Bowling
Another favourite with kids of all ages. Find your nearest bowling alley and book a lane.
10. Indoor Play Venues
Check your local area for an indoor playground or play centre.
Enjoy winter fun with the kids – get out the craft supplies, cook up a storm, check the movie guide or visit your nearest Flip Out trampoline park today!
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