10 Indoor Winter Activities: Easy, Fun Ideas for All Ages
We all have our favorite seasons, and winter just happens to be one of mine! I love scrolling holiday gift guides, cozying up by the fire with a good book, and enjoying indoor winter activities with my kids. But of course, long stretches spent inside with little ones can feel overwhelming. I totally get it!
With lots of energy and short attention spans, swapping outdoor sensory paths for engaging indoor activities doesn’t sound easy. Still, there are so many fun, creative ways to keep kids entertained right in the comfort of your own home.
It’s knowing which activities to choose that’s the hardest part. That’s why today, I’m sharing a roundup of my favorite indoor winter activities for kids. From creative Activity Packs to energetic exercises, you’ll find simple ideas that make winter days inside easier—and more enjoyable—for everyone!
10 Indoor Winter Activities: Easy, Fun Ideas for All Ages
We all know regular physical activity, often gained from outdoor playtime, is fantastic for children's physical and mental health. But with chilly temperatures and snowy days, getting outside for extended periods just isn’t realistic. The good news? Even though the winter months are generally associated with less physical activity, they don’t have to be!
There are plenty of exciting, engaging indoor winter activities that keep kids' brains and bodies active all season long. Whether you’re navigating calmer mornings with sensory activities or afternoons full of the wiggles, there’s something here to fit every moment of your day.
Before we jump straight into the play ideas, though, let’s talk about something equally as important—and frequently asked: How do you successfully keep kids active in the winter?
How to Keep Kids Active in Winter
Keeping kids active during the winter doesn’t have to mean high-energy activities! I know, it sounds too good to be true. However, some of the most effective indoor play ideas combine movement, sensory input, and open-ended play.
Here is how you can keep kids active in the winter—without having to bundle up head to toe.
Incorporate Sensory Activities That Encourage Movement
As children grow, it’s essential to encourage both fine motor (small-muscle) and gross motor (large-muscle) skills. Together, the two boost cognitive development, build independence, and lay the groundwork for body control.
A fantastic way to combine fine and gross motor skills isn’t just through vigorous physical activity—sensory play is just as important. Activities like indoor obstacle courses or scavenger hunts encourage physical movement and support sensory processing at the same time.
To learn more, make sure to check out “Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers!”
Rotate Between High-Energy and Low-Energy Play
As much as it may seem like our kids are pure energy in tiny human form, they appreciate downtime just as much as we do. With this in mind, balancing high-energy and low-energy activities can truly make all the difference.
High-energy activities promote physical health and mental well-being, strengthening bones and boosting mood (thanks, endorphins!). However, low-energy activities allow the brain to rest, encourage kids to self-soothe, and support learning. This is why children often have recess in the middle of a school day!
A gentle balance helps keep kids engaged throughout your entire indoor winter day.
Use Everyday Items to Create Active Play Opportunities
As you’ll see in my winter activities below, you don’t need fancy, expensive equipment to keep kids active indoors. Honestly, a few household objects can double as fantastic tools for promoting movement.
Plus, simple setups encourage creativity. You may see a cereal box and aluminum foil as basic kitchen staples. Kids see them as an opportunity to build a robot that keeps them entertained and excited for hours on a winter day indoors.
Yes—you read “robot” right! Check out “How to Build a Robot for Kids” for an exciting, cozy day activity.
Follow Your Child’s Sensory Needs and Energy Levels
Every child is different, especially when it comes to sensory preferences. Paying attention to when your child needs movement versus calming input allows you to choose the right activities. Doing so can support regulation—not add frustration.
Additionally, this level of independence is much more important than you may think. As I discuss in my book, Playful by Design, the earlier you can incorporate independence, the better you can foster problem-solving skills, encourage social and academic development, and nurture self-expression. (Yes, it matters that much!)
Ask your kid what they want to do on a chilly winter day indoors—and follow their lead. (Within reason, of course!)
What to Do Indoors in Winter with Kids
Winter Activity Pack
We all know how much little ones like being outside regardless of the weather—especially when there’s fluffy, powdery snow! However, you can bring all of that wintertime fun indoors with this Printable Winter Activity Pack.
Color in a chilly penguin and winter cabin snow globe using dot markers, stickers, sequins, or taste-safe paint! Or, practice writing letters and numbers by filling out a winter bucket list and counting the buttons on a snowman. With over 15 pages of hands-on fun, each activity is designed to target a unique variety of developmental skills.
Don’t stop here, though! Check out the rest of my Printable Activity Packs for seasonal, holiday, and everyday fun.
Fake Snow Sensory Play
Trying to avoid little red-tipped noses and purple-tinged fingers from hours spent in the snow? Been there, done that! That’s exactly why my kids and I love fake snow sensory play ideas. It’s just as soft and fluffy as the real thing, but it’s safe to play with for hours.
And the best part? You can use it as a base for so many activities—like an arctic sensory bin or snowy writing tray. It’s a fantastic, versatile material for tactile stimulation and emotional regulation. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make—just watch my Instagram video to see for yourself!
DIY Paper Snowflakes
As soon as it starts to get chilly outside and warm and cozy inside, there are two things I immediately lean on: crafting and kid-friendly Crock-Pot recipes. (They just go together!) More specifically, these DIY paper snowflakes are easily one of my favorite winter crafts for kids.
Not only are they incredibly easy to make, but kids LOVE the sense of accomplishment that comes from making something themselves. All you need for an afternoon of entertainment is a few sheets of paper and lots of colorful decorations.
And I can’t forget to mention how fantastic they are for on-the-go activities on vacations or long car rides. Just pre-cut the snowflakes and store them (as well as additional materials) in a Small Kids Travel Organizer! Safe for home and car play—does it get any better?
Indoor Balloon Tennis
Looking for a safe way to get the wiggle worms out indoors? Look no further—this indoor balloon tennis activity is here to save the day. All you have to do is make paddles using paper plates and spatulas, create a divider on the floor with masking tape, and you’re ready to call “Game, set, match!”
Not only do my kids love it (including my once 2-year-old!), but I also get so excited to play. It’s an indoor-safe, active winter activity that helps kids burn energy and enjoy a little friendly competition!
Snow Dough
When I say that this snow dough recipe really feels soft and silky like freshly fallen snow, I mean it. It’s similar to playdough in how easy it is to mold and manipulate, but it’s also fluffy, crumbly and feels a little like kinetic sand.
As soon as I introduced this as a low-energy winter activity, suddenly, spending time indoors never felt more exciting! You can also personalize the activity with simple variations that support sensory play and gentle movement. For example, add glitter for a little magic or 3D letters to make it educational and fun!
Snow Globe Without Glycerin
Nothing screams wintertime quiet like snow globes. But here’s how I think about it: why spend a bunch of money on one (that may shatter—tiny hands are curious hands!), when you can make one yourself? Making a snow globe without glycerin has been a go-to in my indoor winter activities forever—for this reason.
As I mentioned earlier, kids love seeing something they made come to life. They can decorate the lid, choose which decorations to put inside, and decorate the mason jar itself. Plus, it doubles as a cute keepsake you’ll cherish for years to come.
Indoor Exercise Track for Kids
If you have extra space you don’t know what to do with, make an indoor exercise track for active playtime! All this activity requires is a roll of masking tape. That’s it. You can create hopscotch, run line, jumping jacks, alphabet bubbles, hot stones, the ideas really are endless.
The simple setup is perfect for kids who need to move their bodies—especially on days when outdoor play isn’t an option. It encourages coordination, balance, and creativity while letting kids have indoor-safe fun. (And I may or may not have jumped in and counted it as a gym day!)
Color Building Bath with Homemade Bubble Bath
I know that bath time doesn’t sound like a way to keep kids active, but try a color-building bath and you may change your mind! For most of us, bath time can be a make-or-break moment in our nighttime routine.
But when you turn it into something exciting and colorful, kids don’t just get excited for a bath. Instead, they treat it as a sensory-rich experience that encourages movement, play, and exploration.
And, while you’re at it, try out my easy, kid-safe bubble bath recipe! Using gentle, mindful ingredients, it’s a fantastic and fun way to add to the excitement.
Minute to Win It Games
Indoor winter activities are always filled with laughter and bonding moments that create the most special memories. Minute to Win It games for kids are a perfect example of this! These are high-energy challenges that encourage kids to think fast, move quickly, and have tons of fun.
And my favorite part? You can adjust the games and difficulty based on your little one’s age or skill level. From “Dizzy Mummy” to “Pom-Pom Blow,” each activity is as developmentally beneficial as it is exciting.
Bubble Wrap Feet Painting
Bubble wrap feet painting will always have a place in my home—my kids NEVER get tired of it! Maybe it’s because they love getting a little messy, or maybe it’s because they enjoy hearing the bubble wrap pop. Either way, it’s a fun, low-pressure way for kids to explore sensory play through movement!
Just lay down white paper, secure it with tape, add a few drops of paint in different spots, and then wrap your kid’s hands and feet in bubble wrap. They can stand, squish, spread, and stomp on the paint to create different colors and shapes. It’s an excellent introduction to color-mixing, tactile input, and gross motor development.
Stuck indoors on cold winter days? Try out some of these indoor winter activities!
As parents, finding ways to entertain our kids on cold, indoor days can feel like a challenge. You’ve done all the jigsaw puzzles, you’ve played the same board games, and both you and the kids feel unstimulated. Fortunately, there are plenty of indoor winter activities that make spending time inside totally more inviting than braving the cold! And, best of all, each activity is engaging, developmentally beneficial, and fun.
Even better, thoughtfully chosen indoor activities don’t just fill time—they help build independence and encourage self-guided play. And this is exactly the approach I share in my book, Playful by Design. When kids are given open-ended activities, they gain confidence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of ownership. That shift doesn’t just help children learn—it shapes how they approach challenges, play independently, and grow over time.
Looking for other creative ideas? Head to the Mothercould blog, where I share sensory play activities, kid-friendly recipes, and helpful cleaning hacks. And, of course, don’t forget to join the Mothercould In Your Pocket resource! Here you can find premade home and travel kits, play recipes, recommended purchases, and printable activity packs. See you in there!
