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Shake off the winter doldrums and stay cozy and warm with this list of indoor winter activities to enjoy with the whole family. Whether it’s a school snow day or simply a laidback weekend, we’ve got plenty of things to do inside that will keep kids engaged and having fun. So, let’s get started!
Break out Scrabble, Monopoly, Clue, or other board games and have a good old fashioned family game night. Turn it into a tournament and offer small prizes for the winners.
Use crumpled white paper for a safe and fun indoor snowball fight with zero frostbite and no puddles of melted snow!
Use socks, pillows, or craft materials to build an indoor snowman. It’s a great solution for how to enjoy winter indoors and still have some seasonal fun.
Pick a few movies and have a family movie day at home. Pop some popcorn, break out some Welch’s Fruit Snacks, and grab a blanket for a cozy afternoon. You can even choose winter-themed movies to add to the fun.
One of our favorite things to do inside on a cold day is to set up a crafting station with art supplies to make decorations, homemade cards, paper snowflakes, or other craft items.
Pretend you’re on a cooking show and challenge family members to create a recipe using certain ingredients. Or have two teams create the same recipe and do a taste test at the end.
Use blankets, pillows, and furniture to build a cozy indoor fort. Kids will love to read books or play inside. This is one of those classic winter activities for kids that is sure to become a fond childhood memory.
Gather the family and work together to complete a jigsaw puzzle. It’s one of the best things to do inside in order to bond and accomplish something as a family.
Keep kids moving even when it’s cold outside by creating a safe and simple indoor obstacle course or “lawn game” using pillows, hula hoops, plastic cups, and more.
Turn up the tunes and have an indoor dance party. Let kids make their own playlist or try their hand at original choreography. This is another one of those indoor winter activities that will keep kids active.
Conduct simple and safe science experiments at home, such as making an erupting volcano with baking soda or using borax to create crystals.
Have kids make homemade sock puppets or paper lunch bag puppets and put on a puppet show. They can perform it live or record it to share with family and relatives.
While hunkering down for a cozy day at home is hard to beat, it’s also important to get out of the house for a change of scenery. If you’re wondering: How can I enjoy winter indoors when I have cabin fever? Read on for indoor winter activities to enjoy outside the home,
Pretend it’s summer and spend the day at a local indoor water park. This is one of the best winter activities for school vacations and holidays, because it often feels like a mini getaway.
Tour a historic home or visit a living history site to see how people lived in the past. Kids will get a kick out of seeing costumed tour guides and trying hands-on activities from way back when. You’ve got to love winter days trips that are also educational.
Another one of our favorite indoor attractions for an educational experience is a museum. Try to find a special exhibit that appeals to your kid’s interests, or head to a children’s museum if you have one near you.
Let kids burn off energy at a local trampoline park or indoor bounce house. It’s one of the best things to do inside to keep kids active on days when it’s too cold to play outside.
If you’re wondering what to do in winter on a budget, you can’t go wrong with your local library. They often offer indoor winter activities or rainy day activities like story time, crafts, special programs, and more. Or you can simply browse the children’s book area for hours.
One of the best winter activities for kids on a cold day is to go to the movies, kick back, eat some popcorn, and enjoy a family-friendly flick. If you’re looking to save a little cash, try to catch a matinee for lower ticket prices.
Head to your local mall for an indoor scavenger hunt where players try to find and photograph certain items on a list. This is the perfect answer for what to do on a cold day inside when you’re feeling competitive. Here are some great scavenger hunt ideas and clues to get you started!
Bowling is one of the best indoor winter games for families because it’s fun and challenging for all ages. If you have little ones in tow, consider requesting bumper guards to minimize gutter balls.
Another idea for fun things to do in the winter is to head to your local skating rink for an afternoon of roller-skating or rollerblading. It’s another great solution for what to do on a cold day inside that will keep kids moving.
What is the best winter activity to do when you’re feeling crafty but still want to get out of the house? Pottery painting! Many art studios offer paint-your-own projects or special parent & kid sessions where you can get creative together.
That wraps up our list of indoor winter activities to help your kids thrive during the winter! Remember to fuel your family’s fun all winter long with Welch’s Fruit Snacks. Whether stocking up on road trip snacks for your winter day trips or filling your cabinets with goodies for a cozy day at home, Welch’s Fruit Snacks are the perfect choice. Happy winter—and stay warm!
