Winter activities for children indoors and outdoors

Cold winter days are not a picnic for children or their parents! Beyond sledding and building a snowman, what fun winter activities can you think of? There is actually a lot to do inside and out, snowy or not. Create an enriching environment for your children while you entertain them or keep them entertained on their own.

Outdoor Family Fun

What I like to do with my children is make a campfire. We roast marshmallows and hot dogs, make smores, and have good old-fashioned conversation. The warm fire keeps everyone close and makes everyone feel good inside and out. If you can’t build a fire in your yard, visit a picturesque campsite. Witness the amazing existence of your favorite summer spots in the light of winter. Teach your children about nature and appreciate the beauty that lies within it. Winter walks are a great way to get the family exercising and having healthy fun.

In the kitchen

If you’re stuck indoors, plan some cooking lessons for your kids. Normal everyday life can be too hectic to teach children your special cooking techniques and recipes. Take advantage of this rare moment of your children’s full attention and teach them how to work in the kitchen. Let them make their favorites. Have an indoor picnic. Think of fun things to do so they have fun while they learn.

build a fort

This time-honored tradition is enjoyed by children and adults alike. Use some strong zip ties to attach blankets and sheets to the tops of chairs. If you’re cooped up indoors for a long time, you can build blanket fortress tunnels that give kids an interesting way to get around the house. Save cardboard boxes to build slides down the stairs or playhouses with doors and windows for your children. Activities like this stimulate creativity and can keep everyone entertained for hours on end.

Inside with the Family

Charades is perhaps the most fun you can have with the whole family. Everyone laughs a lot watching Mom and Dad make a fool of themselves acting out funny situations on the living room floor. Parents can marvel and laugh at the creativity and ingenuity of their children’s thought process.

Time of silence

Printable activity and online coloring pages are a great way to keep your kids busy indoors when you need to get things done. Look for winter-themed worksheets and printable crafts. Another option is to take out the glitter and glue and leave them free to create whatever comes to mind. Challenge them to use things from around the house in their creations.