Too cold to go out? Here are five indoor activities to enjoy with your children!
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EmailWhen temperatures drop below zero and outdoor play isn’t an option, keep kids engaged indoors with these fun, family-friendly activities.
As winter temperatures arrive, families across Michigan will be forced indoors, creating restless and impatient children everywhere! Looking for activities to keep you and your children occupied as the cold weather drags on? Here are five fun activities, with educational value, to keep your kids busy!
Make play dough
Play dough is fun for children of all ages! Break out the rolling pins, cookie cutters and plastic knives, and make a big batch together. Many recipes can be found online, and extras such as cinnamon, glitter or powdered drink mixes can be added for a fun sensory experience. Here is one quick and easy recipe that consistently yields good results:
Ingredients
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 cup of water
- 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
- 1/3 cup of salt
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- Food coloring as desired
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms lumps and eventually comes together into a ball. When the dough is no longer wet, turn out onto a heat tolerant surface and allow to cool enough to handle. Knead for a few minutes. Recipe can be doubled, tripled, etc., as needed.
Feed the birds
Help our feathered friends as the thermometer dips below zero! One quick way to make a bird feeder is to spread peanut butter over a pinecone and roll the pinecone in birdseed. Then, simply tie it to a string and hang outside. An alternative to peanut butter is suet, which is typically sold with bird food. Another option is to cut an orange in half, scoop out the inside and poke three equidistant holes in the orange. Thread string through each of the three holes for hanging and filling with birdseed, cranberries, suet or other treats!
Bake bread
Have you ever made bread with children? It’s a fascinating process for them, with very little expense or effort. Watching the dough rise, doubling in size, baking and then enjoying their own creation is rewarding! Simple sandwich bread recipes can be found in most cookbooks or online and require just a few basic ingredients and a few hours of your time.
Make ice sun catchers
This one does require a quick trip outside! Bundle up and head outside to gather some bits of nature: pinecones, seeds, leaves, rocks, etc. Place nature items into an 8- or 9-inch cake pan and fill with water. You can even add food coloring for an additional dimension. Don’t forget to place a loop of string or ribbon with the ends in the water to create a hanger. Once completed, place the cake pan outside to freeze. After it’s frozen, remove the ice sun catcher from the cake pan and hang on a branch to enjoy!
Read a book
Reading belongs on every good list indoor activities! Michigan State University Extension experts recommend all children engage in 30 minutes a day of reading or other literacy activities. Curl up with your kids and enjoy reading together. Build a reading fort and snuggle up inside, or enjoy a lazy morning in your pajamas reading together. Choose a chapter book to read out loud; even independent readers enjoy the experience of reading together as a family. A classic such as “Little House in the Big Woods” by Laura Ingalls Wilder offers children a glimpse into what winter meant for families long ago and sparks great conversations about modern conveniences.
Cold weather doesn’t have to mean cabin fever! With a little creativity, you can turn long winter days into opportunities for fun, learning and family connection. Whether you’re kneading dough, crafting icy art or diving into a good book, these activities help keep kids engaged and create lasting memories. So, the next time the polar vortex drives the temperature down, try one (or all) of these ideas and make the most of your time indoors!
