Indoor Activities When It’s Too Cold for Little Ones to Go Outside
Winter is magical, but the cold temperatures & snow can sometimes keep us indoors longer than we’d like. When the chill keeps your little ones inside for most of the day, you’ll likely need some creative, fun, & educational ways to entertain them. The good news is that there are so many hands-on activities that will keep your kiddos busy and entertained indoors—without needing to step foot outside. Here are some ideas that will spark your child’s imagination & make the most of those cold, cozy days at home!
1. Faux Snow Fun
Who says you can’t have a snow day indoors? If the real snow isn’t falling outside, it’s time to make your own with some faux snow! This fun, sensory activity will delight all ages, from toddlers to older kids.
You will need:
- 2 cups of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of shaving cream
Mix the baking soda & the shaving cream together until you get a soft, moldable consistency. The result is a fluffy snow-like texture that’s perfect for little hands. Your child can create snowmen, shape the snow, or simply enjoy the sensory experience of squishing and spreading it around.
Not only does this activity encourage imaginative play, but it also helps with fine motor skills as they build, mold, and squish their faux snow creations. You can also practice math and unts of measurement concepts. The true blessing/bonus?! It’s mess-free and easy to clean up!
2. Edible Playdough
A classic indoor activity with “edible” twist.Making playdough at home is a great way to involve your little one in the kitchen & it’s a safe option if your toddler is prone to tasting everything they touch.
How to make edible playdough:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Food coloring (optional)
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl & knead with your hands until it is smooth. You can divide the dough into sections and add food coloring to make different colors. This edible playdough is soft, squishy, & safe to eat. If your little one takes a bite (as toddlers often do), there’s no need to worry. They can create sculptures, letters, or animals, all while practicing their fine motor skills and creativity. Use cookie cutters or molds and you can practice easy shapes too!
3. Marshmallow Engineering
Challenge your kids to build their own indoor “engineering” projects w/ something they will be tempted to eat…marshmallows! Marshmallows are soft & squishy, making them a perfect building material for little hands.
How to make marshmallow structures:
- Large marshmallows
- “Stick” connectors: options include toothpicks, mini pretzel sticks, raw spaghetti
Start with a handful of marshmallows and some sticks and encourage them to build houses, towers, bridges, or any kind of structure they can imagine. This activity promotes problem-solving, creativity, & patience as they figure out how to balance and connect their marshmallow creations.
You can also challenge them to make specific shapes like cubes, pyramids, or animals. The best part is, when they’re done building, they can eat part of their creation! Satisfy your child’s creativity and sweet tooth at the same time.
4. Paper Bag or Sock Puppets
Paper bags & socks are incredibly versatile & with just a few craft supplies, you can create an entire puppet show full of characters right in your living room! Creating puppets are a fantastic way to get your child’s imagination going by acting out stories, characters, & adventures.
How to make your puppets:
- Paper lunch bags or socks
- Markers or crayons
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Craft supplies (think pom-poms, fabric scraps, yarn, or buttons)
Start by laying a paper bag or sock flay. Help your child draw or attach eyes, a nose, a mouth, or any other features they’d like. You can also glue on fabric or yarn to make hair, use buttons/pom poms to make a fun design, or whatever they can dream up. Once the puppets are complete, put on a puppet show! You can let your little one take the lead or create a story together. This is a great way to boost language skills, imagination, & emotional expression/socializing.
5. Bubble Foam
Bubble foam is simple to make and can keep your little ones entertained for hours as they play with the bubbly texture and make mess-free, colorful creations.
What you’ll need to make bubble foam:
- 1/2 cup of dish soap
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Food coloring (optional)
Combine the water, dish soap, & cornstarch in a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat the mixture until it forms a fluffy foam peaks. Add food coloring if you want some color. Your child can use their hands to squish the bubble foam, spread it around, or even use cookie cutters to make shapes in the foam. This activity provides an engaging sensory experience!!
6. Salt Painting
Salt painting is a simple art project that lets your little one experiment with colors, textures, and patterns. This activity combines watercolor painting with the magic of salt crystals to create a stunning effect that your kids will surely love.
How to make salt paintings:
- Liquid watercolors or food coloring diluted in water
- Watercolor paper (or any thick paper will work)
- Salt (table salt or coarse salt works best)
- Paintbrushes
Start by drawing a simple design on the paper using the watercolor paint or food coloring. You can help your child draw pictures or simply allow them to create abstract designs. Then, while the paint is still wet, sprinkle salt over the paint. Watch as the salt absorbs the water, creating a cool, textured effect. It’s a great way for kids to experiment with different patterns and colors and take it beyond just paint. If you have older children, and are feeling risky, you can try out this raised salt painting craft idea!
Final Cold Weather Activity Thoughts
When it’s too cold to go outside, indoor activities are the perfect way to keep your toddlers and kids engaged, learning, & entertained without screens. The activities above combine sensory play, creativity, and problem solving in fun ways that can be done with everyday materials you likely already have at home. Whether your little one is building marshmallow towers or playing with faux snow, these activities will not only help keep them busy, but they’ll also provide plenty of opportunities for bonding & learning. So gather your supplies, get cozy, and enjoy these chilly indoor days together because time flies!
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