Ah, January. The holidays are over, the weather is frosty, and your kids are bouncing off the walls like they’ve mainlined hot cocoa. Sound familiar? Don’t worry—I’ve been there too. But instead of wishing for spring, let’s turn these chilly days into an opportunity for fun, creativity, and connection (without losing your sanity).
Here are 10 winter-themed activities to keep your kids engaged, learning, and making memories—indoors and stress-free.
1. Winter Sensory Bin Adventure
If you haven’t tried sensory bins yet, let me change your life. Grab a large container (even a mixing bowl works), fill it with cotton balls to mimic snow, and sprinkle in some fun treasures like plastic animals, tiny trees, or pom-poms. Add scoops, tongs, or even measuring spoons, and let your child explore.
Want to level it up? Print a simple scavenger hunt list: “Can you find the penguin? How about three blue pom-poms?” This activity builds fine motor skills, encourages independent play, and keeps little hands busy so you can finish your coffee while it’s still warm.
2. DIY Winter Busy Book
Here’s the ultimate indoor win for busy parents: a winter busy book. Print out activities like matching colorful mittens, counting snowflakes, or creating a paper snowman with mix-and-match pieces. Laminate the pages or slip them into plastic sleeves for reuse, and you’ve got hours of entertainment in one neat package.
The best part? These books are perfect for quiet time or even a moment of peace during your work Zoom calls. Plus, they sneak in skills like problem-solving, pattern recognition, and early math—all disguised as fun.
3. Indoor Snowball Fight
No snow outside? No problem! Roll up some soft socks into “snowballs” or grab a pack of fluffy white pom-poms. Set up forts using couch cushions, chairs, or blankets, and let the snowball fight begin.
It’s a brilliant way to burn off some of that boundless kid energy, and the laughter? Worth every “snowball” that ends up under the furniture. Don’t forget to join in—it’s way more fun than you’d expect!
4. Bake Snowflake Cookies
What’s better than a kitchen that smells like freshly baked cookies? Baking together with your kids! Turn your kitchen into a mini winter workshop by making snowflake-shaped cookies.
Let them help measure ingredients (a sneaky way to practice math), mix the dough, and decorate with icing and sprinkles. Not only do they learn baking basics, but they also practice patience while waiting for those cookies to cool. And at the end, you have tasty treats to share—or to enjoy all by yourself. No judgment here.
5. Scavenger Hunt: Winter Edition
Kids love a good hunt, and this one’s perfect for those long winter afternoons. Create a checklist of winter-themed items to find around the house, like a pair of mittens, a pinecone, or something blue like the winter sky.
Turn it into a competition for siblings or make it collaborative for younger kids. When they complete the hunt, reward them with a little prize—like a sticker or a cup of hot cocoa. It’s a simple, cost-free way to make a dreary day feel magical.
6. Café Dramatic Play
Turn your living room into the coziest café in town with our printable Coffee Shop Dramatic Play set! This activity is a triple win: it inspires creativity, encourages role-playing, and sneaks in a little math practice while your kids have a blast pretending to be café baristas.
Start by printing out our beautifully designed menu, order forms, and signage to create an authentic coffee shop experience. Then, gather supplies: some cups, spoons, marshmallows, whipped cream, and maybe even some chocolate sprinkles. Your kids can “serve” drinks to their stuffed animals, siblings, or even you (hot cocoa for them, coffee for you—sounds fair, right?).
They’ll practice counting and sequencing as they follow “orders” and add the right number of marshmallows or dollops of whipped cream. Want to keep it sensory-friendly? Let them mix up pretend cocoa using pom-poms, cotton balls, or playdough.
This dramatic play activity is more than just fun—it helps build communication skills, creativity, and early math skills, all while keeping your kids happily engaged indoors. Download our Coffee Shop Play Set today, and watch their imaginations run wild!
7. Ice Cube Painting
This is hands-down one of the coolest (pun intended) art projects for winter. Fill an ice cube tray with water, add a few drops of food coloring to each section, and pop in toothpicks or craft sticks before freezing. Once frozen, these colorful cubes become your child’s paintbrushes.
Spread out some heavy-duty paper or cardstock, and let them “paint” as the ice melts. The process is mesmerizing, and the results are frame-worthy. Plus, it’s a fun way to introduce concepts like color mixing and states of matter.
8. Cozy Storytime Fort
Who doesn’t love a good fort? Gather blankets, pillows, and maybe some twinkle lights, and help your kids create the coziest hideaway imaginable. Then, grab a stack of winter-themed books—think The Snowy Day or Frosty the Snowman—and snuggle in for some quality storytime.
You can even bring snacks and turn it into a mini picnic. This simple activity feels like a magical escape for your kids and a much-needed slow moment for you.
9. Build a Snowman Indoors
Skip the frostbite and build a snowman right in your living room! Use marshmallows, paper plates, or cotton balls to create your snowman. Kids can decorate with craft supplies like googly eyes, construction paper hats, and pipe cleaner arms.
Want to add a challenge? Turn it into a STEM activity by having your child figure out how to make their snowman stand up without falling over. It’s fun, creative, and surprisingly educational.
10. Movie Night with a Twist
Winter movie nights are a classic, but let’s add a little twist. Pick a favorite movie—like Frozen or Happy Feet—and plan themed activities to go with it. For Frozen, you could decorate paper snowflakes, make Olaf out of marshmallows, or create “ice castles” using building blocks.
The key is to keep the fun going even after the credits roll. It’s a great way to combine screen time with hands-on creativity.
Wrapping Up Winter Fun
Winter can feel long, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to create memories with your kids. These activities are simple, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to keep the boredom at bay. Plus, they’re packed with opportunities for learning through play.
Ready to dive in? Don’t forget to grab my Winter Activities Printable Pack for even more ideas and templates. Together, we’ll turn this winter into a season of fun, creativity, and connection—one cozy snowball fight at a time.
What’s your favorite way to keep your kids entertained in the winter? Drop your ideas in the comments—I’d love to hear them!
