When freezing temps have hit hard and your kids are cooped up inside and bouncing off the walls, it can be hard on the whole family. If your kids are bored, you can save their sanity and yours by being ready with a few tried and true indoor activities! The activities below are sure to cure the worst case of cabin fever- your kids won’t even miss the outdoors while they are knee deep in fun! All of these indoor activities can be easily adapted for kids of all ages, from toddlers to pre-teens, to keep the whole family happy.
- Cooking- This is a great way to introduce or improve a skill with your child. Let them help you and when they are ready even take the lead on some simple recipes. Start easy with things like cinnamon toast, box cake or muffins, scrambled eggs, canned soup, or pancakes. {Find more recipes here for all skill levels, from beginner to experienced!} Make a menu for the week together, listen to their input, and be sure to plan meals that help take the edge off the cold!
- Activity Dough- Whipping up a batch of homemade activity dough will not only will this keep the kids busy while you make it together but also sets them up for hours of fun by simply adding a few tools and maybe some small toys. Add winter colors like blue or purple, stir in glitter, and scent it with peppermint, vanilla, or cinnamon to make it seasonal. Find recipes for DIY Marshmallow Activity Dough here and Homemade Scented Activity Dough here! {Of course, store bought is a fine way to go, too!}
- Board Games- Bring out old favorites or even introduce a couple of new ones. Declare the day Family Game Day and have an afternoon filled with laughter, yummy snacks, and a little healthy competition. Who has time to be bored when you are making a killing on Park Place or twisted up with your “Right foot on red”? {Read my review of two of our favorite board games: Hedbanz and Hedbanz Electronic!}
- Snowball Sock Fight- This one is fun year round! Gather up all the socks in the house, roll them up tight, put up the breakables, and man your fort! Let your kids have a snowball fight in the house and I guarantee not only will you banish the boredom but you are set for mom of the year! If tossing snowballs at siblings becomes boring somehow, set up some baskets and practice sinking those shots!
- Storytelling- Set up a basket with random objects like a spool of thread, a finger puppet, a spoon, a cup, cotton balls, or any completely random object you wish. Take turns pulling out items at random and making up a story based on the item. Add a twist by setting the timer for 1 minute and switching storyteller as well as grabbing a new object to add to the story.
What is your favorite way to keep the kids busy when you are cooped up inside?
