25 Things To Do With Kids When It’s Cold Outside

© Kindel Media from Pexels via Canva.com

When the temperatures drop and winter weather keeps you and your little ones cooped up inside, it can be a challenge to keep the boredom at bay. For moms, it is a challenge to come up with things to do with kids when it’s cold outside. The key to surviving cold days at home is a mix of creativity, planning, and tapping into the resources you already have on hand. From arts and crafts to active games and educational activities, there are plenty of ways to turn a chilly day into a fun and memorable experience for the whole family. Here are some things to keep kids busy to stay busy at home.

Creative Arts and Crafts

  1. Make Homemade Playdough: Mix flour, salt, water, and food coloring for hours of tactile fun.
  2. Create a Collage: Use old magazines, newspapers, and scrap paper to make art.
  3. DIY Greeting Cards: Craft cards for upcoming birthdays, holidays, or just because.
  4. Paint Rocks: Decorate stones with paint or markers for unique keepsakes.
  5. Make Paper Snowflakes: Fold and cut paper to create intricate designs.

Games and Challenges

  1. Build a Fort: Use blankets, pillows, and chairs to create a cozy hideaway.
  2. Indoor Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items for kids to find around the house.
  3. Charades: Act out animals, professions, or characters for everyone to guess.
  4. Board Games or Card Games: Pull out classic games like Uno, Go Fish, or Monopoly.
  5. Minute-to-Win-It Challenges: Use household items for quick, fun competitions.

Educational Fun

  1. Science Experiments: Try simple activities like making baking soda and vinegar volcanoes.
  2. Story Time Theater: Act out favorite books or stories as a family.
  3. Cooking or Baking Together: Let kids help measure and mix ingredients for cookies or pancakes.
  4. Puzzle Building: Work on jigsaw puzzles together.
  5. DIY Slime: Combine glue, baking soda, and contact solution for gooey fun.

Physical Activities

  1. Dance Party: Play favorite songs and dance around the living room.
  2. Indoor Obstacle Course: Use furniture and toys to create a fun course to navigate.
  3. Yoga or Stretching Exercises: Follow a kid-friendly yoga video or create your own routine.
  4. Balloon Volleyball: Use a balloon and play volleyball without worrying about breaking anything.
  5. Simon Says: A classic game to get everyone moving and laughing.

Quiet Activities

  1. Create a Reading Nook: Set up a cozy spot with pillows and blankets for reading.
  2. Do a Maze or Puzzle Book: Solve crosswords, Sudoku, or mazes.
  3. Watch an Educational Movie: Pick a nature documentary or inspiring film.
  4. Play with LEGO or Building Blocks: Challenge kids to create specific structures.
  5. Coloring Books or Printables: Grab coloring supplies and let them create masterpieces.

If you are looking for indoor activities in Rochester away from home, check out these ideas!

Guide To Winter Activities For Families

Winter in Rochester transforms the city into a wonderland of family-friendly fun, offering countless ways to embrace the snowy season. For moms looking to keep their kids entertained, active, and…

Read More
    Previous article10 Steps To Prepare For A Rochester Snowstorm
    Next article10 Indoor Activities With Kids In Rochester
    Jackie R.
    Jackie is the Founder of Rochester Mom Collective. She grew up in Ohio and moved to California to work in film where she had lots of adventures on movie sets. She met her husband in Hollywood and they moved to the San Francisco Bay Area shortly after getting married. In San Francisco, Jackie found work at a medical clinic where she gathered parenting resources for new moms in need. After being on the West Coast for fifteen years, they moved with their three children to the Rochester area to be near family. Jackie has operated her own photography business, Jackie Rutan Photography, for ten years. Jackie enjoys her quality time with friends and family, fellowshipping at her church and drinking iced coffee.