Winter indoor activities for preschoolers
35 Indoor Activities For While You're Stuck Inside - Parent Picks!
It’s winter and we are all looking for indoor activities.
We rarely get enough snow to even make a snowman, but it does get icy, cold, and damp. Leaving the cozy fire and snuggly socks behind to venture out is often not at the top of the priority list!
We have collected the best parent recommended indoor activity ideas for toddlers right up to tween years.
What are your favorite indoor kids activities?
I’m planning ahead and have gathered oodles of indoor activities inspiration, tried and giggle tested ideas from fellow parents, to keep my daughter and her friends happy and engaged indoors.
My Favorite Indoor Winter Activities
Let’s start with some of my wintery favorites. These are unique, clever and don’t take much set up. All these indoor activities are things that keep my kids busy for hours.
I am curious which will be your kids favorite ways to play inside…
1. Snowy Toy Car Ramp
Create a toy car ramp inside. And then as if that isn’t enough, you can add some inside snow to make the driving conditions a little more scenic. What a fun and frugal way to spark more pretend play indoors on cold winter days. via buggyandbuddy
2. Create with Air Dry Clay
This air dry clay craft project for kids of all ages turns out very cute no matter how skilled you are at snowman making. Try this classic winter fun for kids of any age. See the adorableness on Buzzmills
3. Painting Snow- Inside!
Yes! Let’s bring the snow that is outside…inside! And then make some colorful creations in a controlled mess kinda way. Fill a cooking tray with some snow and let them off. See then fun evolve on kitchenfloorcrafts
4. Make A Snow Globe
I love a good snow globe craft and this is simple and adorable.
Gather empty jars and invite your kids to make their very own snowglobes in less than 5 minutes from start to shake. See how to make on MollyMooCrafts
5. Master Finger Knitting With Your Kids
Kids love this because it is so hands on and interactive. And it is surprisingly easy to learn. Imagine sitting on the couch on a lazy winter Sunday. . . there’s nothing better! via flaxandtwine
6. DIY Crayon Resist Snowflakes
Grab some crayons and watercolor paints to artfully create some snowflakes. Each will be perfectly unique! Playful experiments with crayons and watercolor. So very pretty via Messy Little Monsters.
More Fun Indoor Activities for Kids
Here are some more winter activities for kids that you can do indoors just in case the snow is piling up or if you are like me and live in Texas, there may be some wintery rainy days that feel just a little miserable.
7. Make Skating Popsicle Stick Dolls
Grab your popsicle sticks and make these adorable dolls that actually skate.
I know that sounds crazy, but it is true and it makes a really fun craft for kids of all ages. I can see this is something older kids would really enjoy alongside the younger ones. An exciting new spin on this ever popular classic craft. See how to make on MollyMooCrafts
8. Set up a Snowman Making Station
This is absolutely the best preschool winter activity! Set up a simple activity tray with bits and pieces from around the house as a snowman making station. Then toddlers and preschoolers have everything they need already set up to craft. So clever, so cute via Happy Houligans
9. Indoor Snowball Fight
Who doesn’t love a snowball fight? The downside is the ice and snow and cold. This is all the fun without any of the cold. The very best indoor fun! This was the biggest hit in our house last winter. Every playdate was challenged via MollyMoo
10. DIY Tissue Paper Stained Glass Suncatchers
Grab that stack of colorful tissue paper you haven’t used for wrapping gifts and head to the kitchen table to brighten up your winter windows with colorful suncatchers.
Follow the steps with Artful Parent.
11. Indoor Obstacle Course
OK, I should have put this in the list above because this is literally my favorite winter activity for kids of any age. Why? Because kids need exercise…even indoors and this makes it fun and easy. Ready! Set! Go! with loveplayandlearn
These Activities Make Me Glad It’s Too Cold To Go Outside
12. Make a Puppet Theater
Watch your kids’ imaginations come alive with paper bag puppets and a some scrap fabric. You can make puppets from nearly anything and then set up your own home theater.
13. Make Indoor Hopscotch
We absolutely love how you can make Popsicle Stick Hopscotch along with 9 other great ideas for entertaining kids indoors with just a bag of craft sticks.
14. Create Magazine Collage Art
An absolutely gorgeous, simple, and accessible activity for any home and classroom.
See the magic unfold on mollymoocrafts
15. Make it Snow Inside
Make fake snow from styrofoam for kids to go crazy. Messy, I know, but the kids’ laughter will be worth every second of the cleanup. See the fun unfold on playtivities
16. Build Elsa’s Ice Palace
And all you need are some sugar cubes to play this FROZEN movie scene. See the joy on leftbraincraftbrain
Try These Fun and Simple Crafts
Kids and simple crafts just go together all year round, but when looking for the best indoor winter activities for kids, crafts can’t be beat! Here are a few of our favorites…
17. Make a Ninja
These Toilet Roll Ninjas are so much fun to make and play with afterward. No need to leave the house on those cold days – just grab a few toilet paper tubes and straws and watch the ninja fun begin.
18. Owl Craft for Kids
Make Toilet Roll Owls for some fun created from the recycle bin.
Some frugal crafty fun for winter afternoons and weekends. Everything you need to make will be found at home. See how easy they are to make on MollyMooCrafts
19. Make a Hedgehog Game
Create your very own Cardboard Hedgehog Ring Toss. Upcycle the Christmas gift boxes into this cuter than cute hedgehog ring toss game for hours of indoor play. See how to make on MollyMooCrafts
20. Minecraft Craft
Make this Toilet Roll Minecraft. After just a simple 3-minute construction, your kids will be happily crafting their toilet roll Minecraft creeper too. And everything you need is in the recycling bin! Perfect for indoor winter crafting.
21. Make homemade skis that work
Skiing at home with homemade skis? You don’t have to have snow outside your house or go to expensive ski resort to have a lot of fun skiing. It’s all about setting up the mood and imagination! Oh what fun! See how to make on Playtivities
Keep Warm With More Indoor Ideas for Winter
22.
DIY LEGO PlayMatThe most fun your kids can have with a roll of craft paper, crayons, and the kitchen floor. via MollyMooCrafts
23. Turn The Bathroom Into A Hair & Nail Salon
Place curlers, bows, makeup, and nail polish around the bathroom. Check out this and 9 other great ideas for indoor winter fun on thechirpingmoms
24. Hosting an Indoor Campout
Check out these 6 things for an amazing camping session with kcedventures. No bugs, I promise! <–this is my very favorite kind of camping of all the camping types!
25. Diamond Snow Dig
When it’s too cold to play outside, bring the snow inside! via happyhooligans
26. Learn French Knitting
This looks fun! by Buzzmills
27. DIY Wrecking Ball Block Play
It so simple, but brilliant! LEGO towers at the ready! Simply create your own homemade wrecking ball out of things you have at home. The trick is to choose something like a toilet paper roll and string it on a short string so it won’t actually damage anything when it hits.
28. Create a Winter Play Scene
Check out all the details on this simple winter toddler and winter preschool play idea with Winter Felt Play Activity.
More Indoor Winter Play with Kids Activities Blog
- Print out this free winter fun pages pack of worksheets and learning games.
- Winter Dot to Dot<–these printable activities are so much fun and will keep you warm inside.
- January may be the coldest month of the year for most wintery climates, but these January coloring pages will make you feel warm and fuzzy.
- Snowflake Window Clings – these come with a snowflake coloring page as well as a snowflake template.
- Check out these cute animal coloring pages that are filled with woodland animals we all love.
What are your favorite cold weather activities? Let us know in the comments!
40 Fun Winter Activities for Kids
Days With Grey / Play & Learn / 40 Fun Winter Activities for Kids
Author: Beth
Inside: 40+ fun winter activities for kids – These wintery ideas are broken down into four categories: outdoor snow play, winter art activities, Indoor winter play ideas, and a winter book list.
Need fun winter activities for your kids?
Me too! From outdoor snow play to indoor art ideas, here are 40 winter activities for kids.
As a parent to three small children, I often wonder how my parents put boots on wiggly feet and mittens on small hands. It can be an actual test of patience as my independent children take on these tasks.
So in between suiting up for snow play and heading inside for hot chocolate? We are all left wondering how I can entertain my kids in the winter when the days can feel so long!
How do I entertain my kids in the winter?
Here in the southeast, snow is highly unlikely. As a native northerner, I can say that although I enjoy the warmer weather, I also miss a snowy Christmas equally as much. Since I can’t have it all, I hope for one solid snow day each season.
– Is that asking for too much? Maybe.
In the meantime, we have a solid list of winter activities to test out and share with you!
Outdoor Snow Play
Hats on, scarf found.
Let’s head outside for some snow play ideas that will entertain children longer than it took to get the left foot inside the boot.
- Winter Activities for Kids in the Woods – The Workspace for Children
- Snow Frozen Yogurt Melts – Here Wee Learn
- Snow Spray Painting – Mama Papa Buba
- Colored Ice Sculptures – Happy Hooligans
- Easy Outdoor Ice Rink – Mama Papa Buba
- Snow Volcano – Messy Little Monster
- Snow and Ice Experiment – Here Wee Learn
- How to Make Snow Paint – Messy Little Monster
Winter Art Activities
I love a winter craft. Here are some favorite ideas to try with toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids from process art to product!
- Tissue Paper Mittens – Days with Grey
- Snowflake Garland – Art Bar Blog
- Tape Resist Art – Toddler Approved
- Watercolor Snowmen – Days with Grey
- Sparkle Snowflakes – Toddler Approved
- Cut and Glue the Snowman – Days with Grey
- GIANT art banners – Friends Art Lab
- Winter Solstice Lanterns – Here Wee Learn
Indoor Winter Play Ideas
For starters, I have already created an enjoyable list of indoor activities here.
But let’s take this one step further and pull out the great ideas that align with a winter theme.
- Ice Skating Bears – Days with Grey
- Winter Bear Rescue – Days with Grey
- Snow Pups Winter Sensory Play – Busy Toddler
- Squishy Snowman Bag – Mama Papa Buba
- Decorate the Mittens – Days with Grey
- Giant Snowman Buddy – Toddler Approved
- Design a Snowman House – Days with Grey
- Snow Paint – Busy Toddler
- Snow Trucks – Toddler Approved
- Feed the Snowman – Busy Toddler
- Snowman Name Hunt – Toddler Approved
A few more indoor ideas that don’t carry the winter theme, but are a great break from the snow!
- Indoor Mini Golf
- The Claw
- Magnetic Tiles Bowling
- Cloud Dough Construction Play
- Transportation Toy Sort
Winter Book List
Snow play is a blast, but we will also carve out some time for some fantastic books. Again, we are in the southeast.
If my children don’t experience the snow, we will read about it!
Days with Grey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
- Snowmen at Night
- Loud Winter’s Nap
- The Snowy Day
- Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter
- The Mitten
- Little Owl’s Snow
- Sneezy the Snowman
- How to Catch a Yeti
Which winter idea or book will you try first?
Winter outdoor games for children | Card file on the topic:
Winter outdoor games for children
SNOWFLOWERS - FLUFFIES.
Option 1. Children move in a crowd around the snowman, turning around at the same time. After some time, the direction of movement changes, the round dance is spinning in the other direction. An adult says:
"Snowflakes - fluffies got tired on the fly,
They stopped spinning, sat down to rest.
"
The players stop, squat. After resting a little, they resume the game.
Option 2. Children are freely distributed around the playground or hall, arms to the sides. Then they begin to spin and say the words:
"Snowflakes - fluffy little ones got tired on the fly,
They stopped spinning, sat down to rest."
At the end of the words, the children squat down.
Rules: spin calmly.
Dosage: 4 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
WHITE HARE SITTING.
On one side of the site, a house of hares is marked. On a signal, the children go to the middle of the playground and stand in a circle. In the middle of the circle, the child named by the adult becomes, he is a bunny. Children, together with an adult, pronounce the text and perform the appropriate movements:
Little white hare sits,
He moves his ears.
Like this, like this
He moves his ears.
It's cold for the Bunny to sit,
It's necessary to warm the paws,
Clap, clap, clap
It is necessary to warm the paws,
It's cold for the Bunny to stand,
The Bunny needs to jump.
Skok - hop, hop - hop,
Bunny needs to jump. feet
Someone scared the bunny,
The bunny jumped and ran away.
Adult claps his hands. The children, together with the bunny, run away to their house.
Rules: perform movements according to the text, jump with both feet.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
WINTER HAS COME!
Children scatter around the playground and hide, squatting behind snowy ramparts, a hill, a snowman, etc. An adult says: “It’s warm today, the sun is shining, go for a walk!” Children run out of hiding places and scatter around the playground. To the signal: “Winter has come, it’s cold! Hurry home!” Everyone runs to their places and hides again.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
SNOWFLAKES AND WIND.
Children gather in a circle and hold hands. At the signal of an adult: “The wind blew strong, strong.
Fly away, snowflakes! "- they scatter in different directions around the site, spread their arms to the sides, sway, spin. The adult says: “The wind has died down! Come back, snowflakes, to the circle. Children run into a circle and hold hands.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
BEWARE, I WILL FREEZE.
All players gather on one side of the court, an adult with them. “Run away, beware, I’ll catch up and freeze,” he says. Children run to the opposite side of the playground to hide in the "house".
Dosage: 3-4 times.
T. I. Osokina “Games and entertainment for children in the air
FROST.
Santa Claus is selected with the help of a rhyme.
You are green, you are red,
You are in a fur coat, you are in a sash,
You have a blue nose,
It's you, Santa Claus!
All the children run away, and Santa Claus tries to touch any player and freeze him.
Frozen stands motionless in any position.
Rules: you can run up only after the end of the rhyme. At the time of freezing, you can take any position. The winner is the one who never got caught by Santa Claus.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
A. V. Keneman, T. I. Osokina "Children's outdoor folk games"
(Belarusian folk game)
WINTER FUN.
Children stand in a circle. An adult pronounces the words:
Let's take a little snow,
We make snowballs in our palms.
We crossed them together -
Our little hands warmed up.
And now it's time to create,
Make a snow woman.
They rolled lump after lump,
hoisted each other.
Third, small room from above.
The snow was then shaken off the hands.
Rules: children repeat the poem after the teacher and perform movements according to the text.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
KK Utrobina "Entertaining physical education in kindergarten"
FROST - RED NOSE.
Two houses are marked on opposite sides of the site, players are located in one of them. In the middle of the site, the leader becomes facing them - Frost - Red Nose. He says:
I am Frost - Red nose.
Which of you dares
Set off on a journey?
Those who play in chorus answer:
We are not afraid of threats,
And we are not afraid of frost.
After that they run across the playground to another house, Frost catches up and tries to freeze them (to touch with his hand). The Frozen ones stop at the place where Frost overtook them, and stay like that until the end of the dash. Frost counts how many players managed to freeze. This takes into account that the players who ran out of the house before the signal or remained in the house after it are also considered frozen. After each dash, a new Frost is chosen. At the end of the game, the result is summed up, they compare which Frost froze more players.
Rules: run across the playground after the end of words; the frozen ones stop at the place where the Frost overtook them.
Dosage: 3 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
Winter fun, children's games and entertainment for children on the street
One of the biggest problems of mankind is boredom. Sometimes it makes us suffer incredibly, but often it is she who becomes the source of new grandiose discoveries. And yet the main task is not to accomplish great things, but simply to entertain yourself and others.
This question is relevant at any time of the year, but most of all in winter. Outside, it gets colder, big snowdrifts appear, and the roads are covered with ice. That and look: you will slip, you will fall and you will freeze. It makes you want to stay at home, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, make hot tea and spend time reading a book or TV shows, only occasionally looking at the bad weather outside.
But traditionally it is believed that fun at this time of the year is not only possible, but also interesting.
Such games will help not only to have a good time, but also to earn yourself a sound sleep and even improve immunity.
And most importantly, it is not adults who are most bored, but children. In this article, we will look at how to make a winter walk with a child enjoyable and useful by turning it into a game.
Usually the problem of what to do with yourself is not so great. Adults work all day, and children go to school. Only a couple of hours in the evenings remain for joint fun. But is it possible to do at least something interesting during this time? In such cases, weekends come to the rescue, when it becomes possible to throw out all the accumulated emotions and realize the most daring ideas. But what if it's not just another weekend, but the winter holidays?
Children's entertainment during the winter holidays
The vacation period in the middle of winter can be safely distinguished as a separate season.
And let the weather conditions at this time remain the same, but the world around takes on completely different colors. Crowds of boys and girls, despite the severe frost, ask their parents for a walk on the street, while promising to study perfectly and clean the room. And this all happens for a reason. Winter opens up a lot of new games and fun for kids of all ages. It is no secret that many adults are very sympathetic to this time of year.
Winter activities, games and fun for children outdoors
As mentioned earlier, most plans and ideas can be easily implemented in a couple of days. But what if the vacation lasted for a week or even two? Remember what impressions have been preserved in your memory from childhood and think about what you can offer your child? Or maybe you can draw something for yourself? Let's take a closer look at what you can do with children on a snowy day.
Sledding
The first thing worth mentioning in a conversation about winter is, of course, skiing.
Take a sled and go to the nearest mountain. Believe me, the trip will bring great pleasure not only to your child, but also to you. But it’s worth being patient, because after each descent you will have to not only climb back, but also drag transport along with you.
Ice-skating
Great alternative to sleds. Glaciers are much lighter and more compact, which will allow you to save energy on the ascent. Also, ice slides are much more common than good sledges. Do not miss this opportunity and enjoy the process with the children.
Have a snowball fight
A logical continuation of the summer game of knights and superheroes. Only now wooden swords have replaced balls of snow. You can play alone or with a large group. In any case, it will bring you a whole bunch of positive emotions and impressions.
In addition, such a pastime will help your children become more accurate and dexterous.
After all, it will be necessary not only to hit the opponent, but also to evade his attacks.
Have a photo shoot
Another reason to once again take a walk in the winter with children. Here, photographs with colorful leaves have been replaced by photographs of the kingdom of the snow. Such entertainment will give you more than a dozen beautiful pictures with bright and genuine emotions. So you can not only have fun, but also save this episode as a keepsake.
Build a fortress
What is a game without its own headquarters? Help your children build their fortress. With the help of snow you can make a real castle. Remember that your result will be limited only by your imagination.
In addition to the usual tower or wall that protects, for example, from snowballs, you can even build your own, your own slide for skiing.
Make a snowman
But how to spend the winter without its faithful symbol and companion - a snowman? Usually they do this at the first snow, but you can build your hero at any opportunity.
You can also try yourself as a sculptor and replace your snowy friend with any other creation. By the way, after completion of work, it can even be painted. To do this, take gouache diluted with water and create.
Skate
In winter, many ice rinks open throughout the city. There are open and closed, paid and free. But only one thing remains unchanged - a large number of happy people and a good mood.
Go skiing
Better than a winter walk in the forest can only be the same skiing. Your movement will become easier and more enjoyable. Therefore, you will have more energy to enjoy the scenery.
In addition, it is a great option to combine entertainment with sports.
Play tracker with the children
Fun should bring not only laughter and joy, but also benefit. So, for example, snowballs develop accuracy, and skating increases coordination of movements.
Another good example is the game of trackers. Show the children footprints in the snow and tell them who left them. So you can better study the traces of birds and animals. And also play a real detective and watch the traces of specific people.
In addition to just watching the animals, you can also take care of them. Finding food becomes more difficult at this time of the year, so instill a love of nature in your children and set up bird feeders with them.
Blow soap bubbles in the bitter cold
Another very creative way to surprise a child is bubbles. If they are allowed in the winter, then their effect increases significantly. With their help, you can show the children how the ice crust appears. It will be not only interesting, but also very beautiful.
Just get ready for the fact that the performance will be followed by questions about how it all happens. This will give you the opportunity to introduce your child to physics.
At the same time, take some snow home and show how it turns into water.
Decorate the trees in the garden
On the eve of the New Year, you should not only hope for a miracle, but also create it yourself. After decorating the Christmas tree and rooms in the house, go outside. Collect the remaining toys, garlands and tinsel. Make more snowflakes and start decorating the plants in the yard. Around will become much more beautiful, and the atmosphere will be filled with magic.
Gather a big party
All the games and fun presented are interesting in their own way, but everything can quickly get boring if you do it alone or together. Gather more friends and ordinary slides or snowball fights will become a big event. So you will have not only more emotions and impressions, but also topics for conversation with friends.
Stay indoors
Winter activities and fun with kids are great.
But not always the weather outside the window allows you to have fun carefree no matter what. At such moments, it is still worth staying warm at home. Here you will find countless entertainment from board games to all sorts of creative processes.
If you still want to go outside, then dress warmly and enjoy a walk along the way to the theater, cinema or cafe.
One has only to remember that such games require high activity from both children and adults. Dynamics will provide you with warmth and will not let you freeze even with a strong cold snap. And the comfortable state of your body will allow you to focus on snow fun.
It is simply impossible to list all the entertainment, because their number is limited only by your imagination. The main thing is to remember that there is no bad weather and even in severe frost you can come up with entertainment to your liking. Now grab your camera so you don't miss a moment. Dress warmly so you don't catch a cold. Arm yourself with a good mood and go with your children to conquer the winter city.
