Winter Activities
With winter upon us AND omicron lurking, finding creative ways to have fun, get energy out, and occupy kids until bedtime can be HARD! Plus, don’t forget about grocery shopping, cleaning, your career, your partner, oh yeah, and to shower. So for today, we’ve got you covered on one thing: Winter Activities. We’ve grouped them into two categories, indoor and outdoor, because as much as we should be outside, some days the weather just won’t allow it or you just decided it was Pajama Day, so let’s get those bodies moving indoor and out. Below are our favorite winter activities plus a few all time favorites
Outside:
Nature Walk - It may seem like there is not much to look at in winter but you are wrong. Different flowers blooming, certain trees keep their leaves throughout the winter, animal footprints in the snow, ice to crunch (be careful!), and more. We printed out #1000hourseoutside tracker for our second year in a row and you should join us on this challenge!
Scavenger Hunt - Continue your scavenger hunts from the summer and fall, there's no need to stop now! Make a list of things you know your little will see on your walk around the block - a tree, a stop sign, a mailbox, rocks, etc. And add in the seasonal items - a poinsettia, a wreath, a sled, boots at the front door, etc. For older toddlers, add in numbers and letters - find the letters to your name on street signs, ID numbers on mailboxes or front doors, look for shapes, etc.
Mud Kitchen - Still works! Adding seasonal nature items like pine cones, leftover Christmas tree branches, and ice takes it up a notch!
5 Senses game - In the backyard when everyone is bored, find a sit-spot and just be still. Identify the following: 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste (if there is nothing taste safe around, smack your lips together as if you are tasting the fresh air)
Snow! Make snow angels or a snowperson, go sledding and have a snowball fight, but also make snowball soup, take a snowy walk and look for animal footprints in the snow
I Spy Run - If it feels too cold outside, the best thing to do is warm up. If you already have the proper attire on that took 15 minutes just to put on, get those bodies moving. Play I spy, but when the person guesses correctly, run to that item to start the next turn.
Inside:
Winter books - cozy up with our favorites here
Bird feeder - Bird Cookies or Traditional Pine Cones
Sock snowball target - Use masking tape to make a large target on your floor, gather socks rolled into balls or crumple up tissue paper (a fun sensory activity!), find a cozy spot on the couch and take turns seeing who can get a bullseye! (Bonus points for mom if she can convince the kids to pick up the snowballs while she sips something warm on the couch.)
Cottonball Snowstorm - Place cottonballs, ripped pieces of white paper, or reuse those snowballs from the target game, into a large bowl. Have your little lay on his/her back looking up. Hold the bowl overtop and count “1,2,3!” or “Ready, set….snow!” Then make it snow! Gather it up and do it again!
Cardboard Gingerbread Houses - Find a left over cardboard box (who has that??) and cut out a simple, flat house shape. Draw a door and a couple of windows then let your little make a snowy scene with cotton swabs and white paint.
Dance Party - Every. Single. Day.
Now, go play!
