Indoor Activity Ideas (and One Outdoor!) for This Winter

“I just need my jacket!” was my toddler’s enthusiastic response when I told him it was too chilly to play in his kiddie pool. I thought I had done a great job of explaining the concept of winter to him — until he reappeared 10 minutes later proudly wearing his swimsuit.

Winter can be tough for families. Here are some tips for good cold-weather activities.

Go on a bear hunt. If the weather is bad outside, grab all of your pillows and chairs and make an obstacle course. Tape two empty toilet paper rolls together to create binoculars, and hide a teddy bear at the end of the obstacle course. Now the obstacle course is a bear hunt!

Take a bath. I now suggest a bath when my toddler asks to play in the water. While they can have fun with their usual water toys, bathtub paint and bubble bath can help to make bathtime extra fun. Consider taking a glow stick bath. Switch off the bathroom lights and toss glow sticks in the water for a magical, colorful bath.

Read a good book. My toddler is still wrapping their brain around the different seasons that we see throughout the year. To help them understand it better, I’ve started reading them books that talk about the weather and winter. Favorites include “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats and “The Mitten” by Jan Brett.

Learn about other cultures. From Kwanzaa to Chinese New Year, the winter months are full of celebrations. Kids love to learn about other cultures and traditions. Mark your calendar for these important holidays. Then, take the time to read and chat with your family about the history and meaning behind each of them. You can even find a way to honor or celebrate different holidays.

Focus on the positives. Combat winter blues by focusing on what Winter has going for it. Ask everyone in your family to list what they love about winter. Then, see what activities you can create to highlight those positives. For me, I love how the shorter days allow my toddler to enjoy stargazing before bedtime.

Try an experiment. The shorter days also allow children to learn what happens when the sun goes down. This flashlight experiment encourages nighttime exploration. Take advantage of the cold weather by creating ice sculptures either outside or in your freezer.

Help others. As the temperature drops, it’s important to remember those who may need our help staying warm. Your family can find a cause that matters to you. Consider donating socks and gloves to the homeless or building a shelter for stray cats. My toddler will love this easy bagel bird feeder activity and feeding the birds when there’s snow on the ground.

Get crafty. Crafts are a great method for my child to learn about winter. I know they'll love creating artwork with this easy-to-make snow paint. Recycling cardboard boxes is a lot more fun when using them to construct a Gingerbread Village. I’m always looking for new ways to teach my child about emotions. So, this snowman play dough activity is seasonal and essential.

Go outside. It can be overwhelming to bundle up both my toddler and baby for a trek outdoors. But, I know the whole family is happier with a dose of fresh air. I’m hoping the saying “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing” can inspire me throughout winter to get my family outside.

Remember the magic. So often as grown-ups we forget how it’s the small things that create magical memories. We don’t need a family vacation to create shimmering moments for our children. Think back to your favorite childhood memories and try to recreate those for your kids. For me, that involves pillow forts, story time by the fire, and Christmas lights in unexpected places.

Winter is the perfect season to make new family memories.