Indoor Winter Activities: 25+ Easy Ways for Kids to Have Fun

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Looking for winter indoor activities for kids that will keep them engaged and entertained? These creative ideas are perfect for those cold days when outdoor play isn't an option.

You'll discover 25+ simple yet engaging winter activities inside that will help your kids focus their energy and enjoy creative activities when you're stuck inside during winter weather. Winter fun for the win!

Don't forget to grab your free printable checklist with these 25 winter activities for indoor fun! This handy resource will help you keep track of which activities you've tried and which ones you still want to explore.

RELATED: For more fun ideas, try this winter photo challenge!

Making the Most of Indoor Time

When the weather makes it impossible to go outside, you can still keep your kids entertained with these fun indoor winter activities. These ideas go beyond simple entertainment - they encourage creativity, learning, and family bonding!

As a homeschool mom of 5 boys who lives in the snowbelt north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I've had a lot of experience with cabin fever. Although we try to get outside as much as possible, below freezing temperatures and ice can make it dangerous.

Over the years, I've had to get creative in keeping my boys busy and helping them burn off energy. Through trial and error, we've discovered these winter activities at home that keep everyone happy and engaged, even during the longest winter days.

These indoor winter activities are some of our favorite ways to make sure we're having fun and enjoying screen-free time together. Each activity can be adapted for different age groups and interests, making them perfect for families with multiple children.

RELATED: Your kids will love this winter walk scavenger hunt!

Tips for Success with These Indoor Winter Activities

When you're feeling cooped up, your patience level may be wearing thin. And you might feel like a tornado has gone through your home! Trust me, I've been there, and I've learned some valuable strategies for making these activities work smoothly.

Let me reassure you that it's absolutely normal to feel out of sorts when you've had extensive time stuck indoors during the winter. Please remind yourself of that - and to take a few calming breaths to help you chill.

Here are some proven strategies to make these easy winter activities more manageable:

• Guided imagery exercises that focus on calm and relaxation are perfect for you and your kids. These activities are fantastic when energy levels are high or in between any of these indoor winter activities.
• Flex your creativity muscles. Even if you feel like you're not a fun mom or very patient, I know that you have it in you! Think outside the box and use what you have as far as supplies.
• Set realistic expectations. Some activities might last 15 minutes, while others could engage your kids for hours. Having a variety of options ready helps you adapt to different energy levels and moods.

RELATED: Try these 2 Winter Alphabet Scavenger Hunts!

25+ Fun Indoor Winter Activities to Enjoy

1. Kitchen Fun

If your kids love to cook or bake, build on that interest in the kitchen. This is one of our favorite winter activities ideas because it combines learning with delicious results!

Or maybe you haven't had a lot of time to teach your kids cooking and baking skills? Use this time to teach them about kitchen safety, measuring, and ingredients. Start with simple recipes and gradually work up to more complex ones as their skills improve.

Make family-favorite meals or download new recipes online. Chat about different meals or snacks that you'd like to try and go for it. Consider creating a family cookbook with your favorite recipes and photos of your kitchen adventures!

2. Fitness Fun for Indoor Winter Activities

Burn off that energy in a positive way! Physical activity is essential for kids' health and well-being, even when stuck inside. Play something fun, like Twister or our free printable fitness game both are great ways to get moving without needing much space.

Try creating fitness stations around your house:

• Jumping jacks in the living room
• Lunges down the hallway
• Step-ups on the stairs (with supervision)
• Dance moves in the family room

The key is to make exercise feel like play rather than a workout. Keep track of "high scores" or personal bests to add a little friendly competition.

RELATED: Let your kids show off their creativity with this snowflake poetry craft!

3. Obstacle Courses

Almost anything inside your house can be used as a prop for making obstacle courses, including strings and chairs. This is one of our most popular winter activities at home because it's endlessly customizable!

Challenge your kids to be creative in tackling these courses. Better yet, have them create their own obstacle courses - and see if you can complete them, too.

Some favorite obstacle course elements include:

• Doing silly movements between stations
• Crawling under string "laser beams"
• Hopping from pillow to pillow
• Balancing stuffed animals on heads while walking
• Crawling through tunnels made from chairs and blankets
• Tossing soft balls into baskets

4. Singing and Dancing

Have a singing and dance party! This easy winter activity requires minimal setup but provides maximum fun.

Put on some kid-friendly songs and bust some moves with them. Make it extra special by:

• Creating a playlist together
• Learning simple choreography
• Using scarves or ribbons for movement
• Making up silly dance moves
• Having freeze dance competitions
• Recording music videos
• Creating a "stage" area with blankets or lights

5. Indoor Scavenger Hunts

A scavenger hunt is an awesome indoor activity. Your kids will have a blast looking for the objects on your DIY list or using any of our free scavenger hunt printables --> Colors, Numbers, Letters, and Shapes.

6. Indoor Camping Fun

Enjoy the thrill of camping without leaving your house. This winter activity inside transforms your living space into an adventure zone!

If you have a tent, you can set up a campsite in one of the rooms in your house. No tent? No worries! Grab some sheets and blankets and build a tent.

LOVE TREE Large Kids Teepee Tent Portable Children Play Tent for Boys Indoor Outdoor Use Fort with Carrying Case BlackNARMAY Play Tent Space World Dome Tent for Kids Indoor / Outdoor Fun - 48 x 48 x 40 inchKids Teepee Tent for Kids - with Mat, Light String, Pillow & Blanket | Teepee Tent for Kids | Kids Play Tent | Kids Teepee Play Tent | Toddler Teepee Tent for Girls & BoysNARMAY Play Tent Easy Fun Dome Tent for Kids Indoor / Outdoor Fun - 60 x 60 x 44 inchKids Camping Play Tent Toys for 3 4 5 6 7 Year Old Boys Girls Pretend Play with Campfire / Fruits/ BBQ/ Exploration Bug Catching Kit Full Camping Gear Set for Toddler Indoor Outdoor Pretend-Play GameKids Camping Set with Tent - MITCIEN Camping Gear Toys for Boys - Include Tent for Kids/Campfire/Oil Lamp/Pretend Food - Camping Set for Child Age 3 4 5 6 Year Old

7. Take an Online Class/Tutorial

Use your indoor time wisely by learning something new. This is one of those winter activities ideas that combines fun with education!

You can find a variety of online classes on Outschool. You'll also find free videos and tutorials on YouTube. My boys love drawing along with Art for Kids Hub And Chalk Pastels.

8. Fashion Show Fun

This indoor activity is such a blast! It's perfect for creative expression and building confidence.

You can pick a theme or just let your kids get creative. Don't forget to take out your camera (or smartphone) to capture these special moments.

Take it to the next level by playing music in the background. Oh, and your kids can make posters and signs to advertise!

9. Crafts for indoor winter activities

Dig out your craft supplies and crank up your creative side for these fun indoor winter activities.

You can find inspiration on Pinterest, use any of these cool ideas, or let your kids go. This winter hat craft kids activity is both a fun and educational so it's perfect for your young learners!

10. Make a Car Track on the Floor

Even your older kids can have fun with this indoor activity! It's a perfect way to combine creativity with active play.

Use washi tape or painter's tape to mark off a track. Your kids can enjoy racing their toy cars and other vehicles on these tracks.

RELATED: Check out these 50+ Amazing Snowflake Activities for tons of winter fun!

11. Make Marshmallow and Toothpick Structures

If your kids are looking for a more challenging activity, marshmallow structures are the way to go. This combines engineering, creativity, and (eventually) a tasty treat!

Use toothpicks and marshmallows to create different kinds of shapes and structures. You can make different "awards", like most creative, tallest, etc.

Gumdrops work very well, too! Try creating:

• Geometric shapes
• Buildings
• Bridges
• Animals
• Abstract sculptures
• Famous landmarks

12. Enjoy a Knitting, Crocheting, or Sewing Class

Another way to wisely use your time when stuck indoors in the winter! These skills can become lifelong hobbies.

Your kids may enjoy learning how to knit, crochet, or sew. My younger boys learned how to sew using A Simple Start to Sewing Video Lessons found on You ARE An Artist. I was SO glad to have these videos to teach my boys since I struggle with sewing.

13. Board Games

Board games are popular indoor activities. You can play traditional board games, like Monopoly and Battleship. Also, you can play certain games to work on an educational area, like math or reading.

Oh, and jigsaw puzzles are super fun, too! Create a dedicated puzzle area where you can leave an ongoing project.

14. Hide and Seek

One of our go-to indoor activities for fun! Count up to 10 (or higher!) as your kids hide. The first person to be found becomes the seeker in the next game. 

15. Card Games

A deck of playing cards holds so many possibilities for fun and learning.

Play simple card games like War and Go Fish! Try more complicated card games, like Crazy Eights, as your kids get accustomed to playing.

Classic Card Games - Games Included May Vary - Includes Old Maid, Go Fish, Slapjack, Crazy 8's, War, and (Silly Monster Memory Match or Banapples Jr) (All 6 Games)UNO Family Card Game, with 112 Cards in a Sturdy Storage Tin, Travel-Friendly, Makes a Great Gift for 7 Year Olds and Up [Amazon Exclusive]Bicycle Standard Face Playing Cards, 2 Piece

16. Indoor Bowling Fun

You can re-create a bowling game with whatever you have inside your house. Look for empty plastic bottles or tins to use as pins. A balled-up sock or tennis ball can be used to topple them over.

My boys and I have had a blast with our DIY bowling games using empty toilet paper rolls. We use one of our free printable sets (like Harry Potter, Star Wars, or holidays) to make the pins.

17. Organize Your Closets

Sounds like a boring task? No way! This can become one of your favorite easy winter activities with the right approach.

You can make it fun by turning it into a challenge. See how many things, like clothes, shoes, games, and toys, you can donate. Such a fantastic way to give to others and have creative indoor fun!

18. Coloring Fun for Indoor Winter Activities

Get your supplies (like crayons, markers, and color pencils), download fun coloring pages, and have a great time with coloring activities.

Coloring books can also be excellent educational resources, particularly for pre-K kids.

19. Pajama Day

You can spend a day relaxing around the house in your pajamas. Your kids will certainly find this activity fun and cozy during winter weather.

Or have a costume day! Everyone gets to pick out (or put together) a costume and wear it all day long.

RELATED: Feeling creative? Try these 14 easy winter crafts!

20. Puppet Fun for Indoor Winter Activities

Plan a puppet show! This creative activity encourages storytelling and imagination.

You can host a puppet show for your kids. All you need is a pair of socks (or stuffed animals) and a book with a good storyline. Use your hands to enact the movement of the puppets and add tonal variations to create an enjoyable show. 

When you're done, have your kids put on a puppet show, too.

21. Building Blocks

Get out your bins of LEGOs and wood blocks for some building fun. This classic activity never gets old!

You can create all sorts of creative structures using LEGOs and other blocks. Allow your kids to be as imaginative as possible. 

The Lego Ideas Book: Unlock Your ImaginationLEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box 10698 Build Your Own Creative Toys, Kids Building Kit (790 Pieces)

22. Play an Active Video Game

If you have a video game that encourages you to get up and move, go for it. Games like Just Dance! might involve screen time but all the activity will definitely counteract it!

23. Family Movie Fun

Choose a family-friendly movie, make some popcorn, and enjoy a relaxing time.

You can use our free Movie Night pack to give your kids some creative activities to go with these special moments.

24. Start a Scrapbook

A perfect indoor activity is to start a book that commemorates your kids' accomplishments and everyday life.

Get your kids involved in the project. Jot down special memories. Add a creative flair to your scrapbook with their drawings and more.

25. DIY Fun

Have some super indoor fun with supplies that you have around your home. There are so many cool things you can do with paperclips, crayons, and balloons. Your kids will never run out of stuff to do!

And if your kids start to say "I'm bored!, print out these boredom busters!

RELATED: Decided to brave the chilly outdoor temps? Check out these 9+ Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids!

Get Your Free Printable Chart of 25+ Winter Indoor Activities for Kids

High five! This printable chart will help you remember all of these fun indoor winter activities.

I suggest printing this free chart (available in 3 styles) on cardstock. Hang your chart on your refrigerator or other area of frequent use. Oh, and print out an extra copy to put in your planner!

Refer to this chart whenever you need a bit of inspiration for fun activities (or your kids are whining that there's nothing to do!).

Please print as many copies as you need to enjoy with your kids, family, classroom, or homeschool. If you have a friend or co-worker who might benefit from using this chart, I'd love it if you'd share it with them!

To get this free printable chart of 25+ Winter Indoor Activities for Kids, simply subscribe to Rock Your Homeschool.

⭐️ You’ll receive an email with a PDF file plus a password to open the VIP Resource Library to all RYHS freebies. Email Amy at rockyourhomeschool@gmail.com if you have any problems!

Oh, and you’ll also get emails with ideas, resources, and encouragement to make life and learning fun.

(Psst! Current RYHS members just need to go to the VIP Resource Library and enter the password in your welcome email.)

⭐️ Get your FREE Chart of 25+ Fun Indoor Winter Activities now! ⭐️

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