When it gets too chilly to head outside with the kids, or you just don’t feel like bundling them up in 60 layers of winter gear only to hear them say the dreaded “I have to go pee!” ala Robert Munsch’s classic book, then we’re here to help. These awesome indoor activities with kids will help wile away the time until Mr. Golden Sun decides to pay us another visit:
Games on Paper
Let’s be honest, when was the last time you played Tic-Tac-Toe with your kids outside of a restaurant? It’s time to revive these classic paper and pencil games like Hangman, Dots and Squares, and Battleship. As an added bonus, your young child can hone their fine motor skills with these pencil-based games.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Spend a lazy afternoon indoors while jogging the brain with jigsaw puzzles. The great thing about puzzles is that difficulty varies by age – you can have a ten piece puzzle or a puzzle with 10,000 pieces. There are even 3D puzzles! Here’s a fun project: have your child draw on a large sturdy piece of cardboard. Draw puzzle pieces on the cardboard (the older your child, the smaller the “pieces” should be) and then safely cut them out with scissors. Shuffle the pieces and – ta da! – you have a custom puzzle.
Hide and Seek
This a classic game – we all know how it works. The seeker covers his/her eyes, counts to 10 or 20, and then has to hunt for the other players. This is a great way to practice counting. For an added twist, how about trying to count in French? Or, since people are easy targets, how about hiding a favourite stuffed animal or other small object and having to hunt for it?
Simon Says
This is a creative way to get your children moving and stretching. Simon Says, touch your nose. Simon Says, touch your toes. Simon Says, do the downward dog!
Arts & Crafts
Arts and crafts are a relaxing, creative, and educational way to spend time. Since it’s February, how about doing lovely Valentine’s crafts for friends and family? Or get a head start on St. Patrick’s Day green art. The Artful Parent has a list of over 500 arts and crafts activities for kids of all ages.
No matter the temperature, you can have a great time indoors with these enjoyable indoor activities for the whole family!
