9 Winter Indoor Activities for Kids at Home

When winter arrives, the cold weather and shorter days can make it harder to keep kids entertained and active indoors. But you know we always got you! With a sprinkle of creativity, there are plenty of ways to engage your little ones in both fun and educational activities that can help spark their imaginations. Let’s get into some perfect indoor activities for keeping kids entertained, active, and cozy at home during the bleak winter months!

Winter Arts and Crafts Activities

Winter is a great time to unleash your child’s inner artist. These arts and crafts activities will not only foster creativity but also add a little holiday cheer to your home.

Paper Snowflakes

Remember making paper snowflakes in class when you were little? The designs that came out were always crazy intricate and so much fun. Your kids will love getting creative with different snowflakes, and all you need are some square sheets of paper, scissors, and maybe a bit of glitter for extra sparkle!

Instructions:

1. Start with a square piece of construction paper and fold it diagonally into a triangle.
2. Fold the triangle into thirds, ensuring each side overlaps.
3. Cut different shapes along the edges of the folded paper, making sure not to cut all the way through.
4. Unfold to reveal your beautiful snowflake!

Add a little glitter and hang them up around the house for a festive winter wonderland effect.

DIY Holiday Cards

Making DIY holiday cards is not only a great craft but also a wonderful way to share love and kindness with friends and family. All you need is some paper, pens, markers, stickers, and anything else they want to decorate with!

Instructions:

1. Start with a sheet of construction paper, and fold it in half. 
2. Write a simple holiday message inside with your little one, or have them get creative with what they want to say.
3. Time to decorate to their heart’s content!

These homemade cards make sweet and sentimental gifts for any relative! 

Strategy Indoor Games

You know what’s another great way to keep kids’ minds sharp? Strategy games! Let them use their brains to solve everyday problems, and challenge them in a fun way with these ideas. 

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are a classic indoor activity that not only keeps kids entertained but also helps develop problem-solving and concentration skills. You can also choose a themed puzzle, like a winter wonderland or cozy Christmas scene, making them perfect for this festive season.

Instructions:

1. Pick up an age appropriate jigsaw puzzle at the store.
2. Spread it over a wide, even surface like a coffee table or kitchen table.
3. Work with the little ones to help them solve this puzzle together.

In the end, you can even frame the final puzzle to commemorate everyone’s hard work and dedication!

Board Games/Card Games

Board games and card games are fantastic for winter days spent indoors. Fun, interactive, and sure to help you kill time (and boredom), these games can also teach kids about strategy and working with others!

Instructions:

1. Choose a game based on your child’s age and interests 
2. Set up the game, explain the rules, and start playing.
3. Keep the atmosphere fun and lighthearted, celebrating wins and brushing off losses!

Remember to not get too competitive as this should be a fun activity for everyone. After all, board games are only fun when everyone is having fun!

Indoor Physical Activities

Just because it’s chilly outside doesn’t mean your little ones can’t stay active indoors! These physical activities will help your kids get their zoomies out while having a blast.

Indoor Obstacle Course

Setting up an indoor obstacle course is a fun way to get the kids moving, and it doesn’t require much space or many supplies. You can turn everyday household items into hurdles and challenges!

Instructions:

1. Use pillows, chairs, blankets, tables and whatever else you can think of to create obstacles. Think crawling under tables, jumping over pillows, or balancing on a line of tape!
2. Time each child as they navigate the course.
3. Fastest time wins!

You can also get creative here: let the kids create their own course, or let them all go through at once for maximum chaos!

Dance Party at Home

If your kids love to move and groove, then a dance party is the perfect way to stay active indoors. Crank up the music, and let the kids (and you!) get their bodies moving to the beat.

Instructions:

1. Work with your kids to make a dance party playlist, filled with everyone’s favorite songs. 
2. Hit play, start dancing, and you can even teach your kids some super cool dance moves!

If you want more fun, you can turn this into a game of “Freeze Dance” where everyone has to freeze when the music pauses. Last one to freeze has to dance by themselves for 10 seconds!

Cooking and Baking Projects with Kids

Winter is a great time to get cozy in the kitchen with your little ones. Cooking and baking together is not only fun but also a great way to teach kids important skills, and the best part is you get to enjoy delicious treats afterward!

Baking Cookies

Nothing says “winter” like the smell of fresh-baked cookies! Baking cookies together can be a wonderful family tradition, especially around the holidays. Try this wonderfully spiced GoGo Gingerbread Cookie recipe. We promise you’ll love how delicious they are! 

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp clove
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger (less if you like them with less of a kick)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup molasses (we used black strap molasses)
• 1 egg
• 1 pouch GoGo squeeZ® Apple Apple Fruit Blend
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Baking Instructions:

1. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ginger in a bowl.
2. Mix the maple syrup, molasses, egg, GoGo squeeZ® Apple Apple Fruit Blend, and vanilla extract in a separate, and larger bowl.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix until well combined.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic, and refrigerate for 3+ hours.
5. Remove the dough from the fridge, and roll out on a floured surface until about 1/4 inch thick.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Using a gingerbread man cookie cutter (or cookie cutter of your choosing), cut the dough into shapes, and place them on the lined baking sheet.
8. Bake cookies for 8 minutes, then let cool. Decorate to your liking (we mixed some GoGo squeeZ® YogurtZ with honey and vanilla extract to make frosting)

Making Shakes & Smoothies

Making shakes and smoothies can be a fun, fruit-filled treat for the whole family to enjoy together. Plus, it’s easy to involve the kids in the process – they can help pick out the fruits, blend the ingredients, and even be professional taste-testers! Try this delicious GoGo Banana Snow Shake recipe. 

Ingredients:

• 1 GoGo squeeZ® Banana YogurtZ pouch
• 1/2 pouch GoGo squeeZ® Apple Banana Fruit Blend
• 1 frozen banana cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup of almond milk or other nut milk of choice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Smoothie Instructions:

1. Slice up a banana.
2. Place slices in a plastic baggie and pop it in the freezer.
3. Place all ingredients in a blender.
4. Blend until smooth.
5. Enjoy!

Gingerbread House Decorating

Building and decorating gingerbread houses is a classic family tradition for many of us! You can buy gingerbread house kits to make it easy for yourself, and just let the kids go crazy with decorating with edible treats! Let their imagination fly!

Instructions: 

1. Lay out all the gingerbread pieces from the kit.
2. Work together to assemble the larger pieces.
3. Sit back and let the little ones decorate with frosting, sprinkles, candies, and whatever else tickles their fancy—the messier, the better!

With these creative indoor activities, you’ll be ready to make the most of those cozy winter days at home. Whether you’re crafting, playing games, dancing, or baking, the cold months don’t have to be boring. From all of us at GoGo squeeZ®, happy holidays and happy snacking!