Winter Entertainment Ideas to Keep Your Kids Busy and Happy
Winter brings the promise of cozy nights by the fire, hot cocoa, and snow days full of fun. But let’s be honest: keeping the kids entertained indoors can be a challenge when the cold weather has them stuck inside. Thankfully, there are endless creative ways to keep them occupied, engaged, and—most importantly—happy. From indoor adventures to DIY projects, here are some fantastic ideas to bring warmth and joy to those chilly winter days.
➡ Indoor Obstacle Course
Turn your living room into a mini adventure land with an indoor obstacle course. Use pillows, chairs, blankets, and tape to create paths that they have to navigate without touching the floor (or anything else). You can get creative with challenges—hopping over pillows, crawling under tables, or balancing on taped lines. It’s a great way for kids to burn off energy while working on their coordination and problem-solving skills. Add a timer to make it more competitive or fun challenges for different age groups.
➡ DIY Craft Station
Winter is the perfect time to get crafty. Set up a DIY craft station with all sorts of supplies like colored paper, markers, glitter, glue, and stickers. Let your kids make their own holiday decorations, design snowflakes, or even create winter-themed cards for family and friends. If you want to keep them even more engaged, turn their creations into a gallery by hanging their artwork around the house. You can even hold a mini "craft show" where they can proudly display their pieces to the family.
➡ Hot Chocolate Bar
What better way to get through a cold winter day than with a delicious cup of hot cocoa? Set up a hot chocolate bar with all the fixings—marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and maybe even a few chocolate chips or flavored syrups. Let the kids customize their cups, and encourage them to get creative with their toppings. Not only is this a fun activity, but it also doubles as a treat. You could also use this as a family bonding time, where everyone gathers around to share their favorite cocoa combos.
➡ Indoor Winter Scavenger Hunt
Take the classic outdoor scavenger hunt and bring it inside. Create a winter-themed scavenger hunt, where kids have to find specific items around the house—like a red mitten, a snow globe, or a picture of a snowman. You can make it more challenging by creating riddles or clues to lead them from one item to the next. For added excitement, offer small prizes or treats at the end for those who complete the hunt. It’s an easy way to keep kids moving while still having tons of fun.
➡ Family Movie Marathon
When the snow is falling outside and the warmth of the house calls, why not settle in for a cozy movie marathon? Choose a series of holiday classics or family-friendly films, and get comfy with blankets, pillows, and snacks. Don’t forget the popcorn! To make it even more fun, have a theme night—like Disney movies, winter adventures, or superhero flicks. You could even make homemade movie tickets for the kids to "present" at the door, turning it into an event.
➡ Build a Winter Wonderland Inside
You don’t need snow to build a winter wonderland. Grab some cotton balls, white sheets, and Christmas lights to transform a room into a magical snow scene. You can even incorporate DIY snowflakes made from paper or other materials. Once the room is set up, kids can pretend they’re in a snowy landscape, complete with winter-themed toys like snowmen or reindeer. You can also invite them to help decorate the space, making it a fun family project.
➡ Winter-Themed Baking
If you’re looking for an indoor activity that’s both delicious and fun, try baking together. Choose a simple winter-themed recipe like gingerbread cookies, snowflake-shaped cupcakes, or chocolate bark with sprinkles. Kids can help with all the steps—from mixing the ingredients to decorating the finished products. Baking is a great way to teach them about measurements, patience, and teamwork, all while filling the house with wonderful winter smells. Plus, they’ll love indulging in their tasty creations when they’re done.
➡ Create a Snow Globe
Even if you don’t have snow outside, you can still create your own magical snow globe. Grab mason jars or clear plastic containers, small toys, and some fake snow or glitter. Your kids can create their very own winter wonderland inside a jar, gluing the figurines to the base before adding water and snow. Shake it up to see the "snow" swirl around their creation! This is a perfect craft project that combines creativity with a keepsake that they can display for years to come.
➡ Winter Storytime
Get cozy and snuggle up with a collection of winter-themed books. Whether it’s a classic like The Snowy Day or a fun new story, reading together can be a perfect winter activity. To keep things interactive, let the kids act out the story, make sound effects, or even draw pictures inspired by the book. You can also make a winter reading challenge—where they earn prizes after finishing a certain number of stories or achieving specific goals.
➡ Winter Science Experiments
Make learning fun with a few simple winter-themed science experiments. You can create "snow" using baking soda and shaving cream or make your own ice crystals with salt and water. There are plenty of educational (and messy) ways to explore the science of winter right from your living room. Plus, the kids will love getting their hands dirty while learning about freezing points, crystal formation, and more.
Tips:
Mix and match activities to keep kids engaged throughout the day.
Set up a “chill zone” for downtime with blankets and books if they need a break.
Don’t forget to take breaks for snacks—keep them energized for all the fun!
Get the whole family involved—winter activities are perfect for creating lasting memories.
Have a flexible schedule to avoid overwhelming your kids with too many activities at once.
