Winter is such a magical season, with snow falling and the joy of the holiday season. For the parents of younger children out there, winter might be far from the most wonderful time of the year. Keeping your kids entertained all winter long is challenging and can wear you out after just a few days.
That feeling of not knowing how to keep them entertained doesn’t have to last long, though! All it takes is a bit of creativity, and they’ll stop bugging you to do something — allowing you to have a few hours of relaxation during the week.
Here are some creative ways to keep your kids occupied this winter.
Craft a Bird Feeder
In the wintertime, birds struggle to find food since the ground is frozen. One way to keep your kids occupied and help out the winter birds is to have your children make a bird feeder.
You don’t have to be fancy with it by constructing one out of wood — unless you’re super skilled at woodworking! Hand your kids some paper towel or toilet paper cardboard tubes, some peanut butter and birdseed. They can coat the tubs with peanut butter and roll it in the seeds. Add a string and hang it on a tree!
For a more natural bird feeder, you can trade out the cardboard tubes for pinecones. Your kids can repeat this activity once the birdseed is gone. Plus, your kids can keep track of all of the different birds they see coming to the feeder.
Build a Fort
Building a fort brings out the kid in everyone. Your kids can either make one indoors or outdoors. If you live in a place that gets snow, challenge your children to build an igloo. If there’s no snow, find a wooded area so they can create a fort out of natural materials like sticks and fallen leaves.
In case the outdoors isn’t an option, they can build a blanket fort in the living room. Hand them some large, lightweight blankets and guide them to create a fort. They’ll spend hours using their imagination inside the fort.
Equip them with snacks, and they might even spend a whole day inside the fort, giving you a much-needed break.
Color the Snow
A creative way for children to play in the snow aside from having a snowball fight or making snow angels is to have them color the snow. Mix some water and food coloring in a squeezable bottle, shake and tell your children to color the snow.
Fresh blankets of snow will make the perfect canvas for your children’s imagination to draw whatever they like in the snow. They’ll have so many colors to choose from and will make your yard look so fun!
Create a Winter Wonderland
Paper snowflakes are still a popular craft choice in the wintertime. Your children can use any paper to fold and cut out a winter wonderland to decorate your home.
Additionally, you can print out instructions for winter-themed origami. They’ll love the challenge of folding paper into a creature or other winter item.
Make a Reading Corner
A relaxing and educational option to keep your kids occupied this winter is to set up a reading corner for them. Pick a corner of their bedroom, playroom or the living room and add a bookshelf, books and chair.
To make it cozy, switch out the chair for a beanbag or a few pillows and blankets. String soft lighting and set up a lamp. They’ll love having this quiet corner to read and relax, especially if they have siblings!
Hold a Christmas Movie Marathon
Who doesn’t love holiday movies? You can join in on this one, too, without much effort! Have each of your children choose their favorite holiday movie. This is especially handy for those snow days where your children aren’t going to school and if you don’t have much time to gather items for crafts.
Pop some popcorn, and they’ll have hours of fun watching their favorite movies.
Send Kid-Crafted Holiday Cards
Coronavirus may have prevented your children from seeing their friends and loved ones, but they can still spread the love during the winter. Set up a station equipped with paper, scissors, glue, glitter, crayons and any other craft supplies you have.
Prompt your kids to think of a few people they love. Then, tell them to craft a winter or holiday card to send to them. Younger children may need help writing and cutting. After they make and send the cards, they might get a few back from those people.
Set Up a Hot Chocolate Stand
You’ve heard of lemonade stands in the summer. Why not make those stands for the winter but with hot chocolate, tea or coffee?
Your kids will learn valuable money handling skills and can save up to purchase something they want! Stock the stand with all of the fixings needed for a hot pick-me-up for customers. Just make sure they social distance while at the stand.
Bake and Decorate Cookies
Your kids will love baking and decorating cookies this winter. You’ll likely need to help them mix and bake the cookies, but it will allow for you to have quality time with your kids, and you’ll get a sweet treat in the end. Additionally, they can learn skills like measuring, and they can explore their senses.
Although kid-decorated cookies don’t always look perfect, they’re decorated with love, and it will keep them focused and busy for a while.
Turn Winter Blues Into a Fun-Filled Season
With these tips, your kids will stay occupied all winter long. They’ll love that you suggested creative ideas to keep busy, and you’ll love not hearing “I’m bored” ten times a day!
Which activity will you choose first?
Written by Jennifer Landis
About the Author
Jennifer Landis is a mom, wife, writer, and blogger at Mindfulness Mama. She’s quite fond of peanut butter, distance running, yoga, and drinking as much tea as possible. Find her on Twitter @JenniferELandis.
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