Winter is still happening. As we count down to spring, what we hard-working parents really need is a quick list of cheap, low-tech ways to entertain kids until the warmer days start happening.
Stay busy on snowy days with 30+ winter activities for kids.
1. Make popcorn balls
These easy popcorn balls with marshmallows or corn syrup may be a little messy, but they're an activity and a snack all in one. Win!
2. Grab some tape
Make duct tape crafts, including duct tape wallets (hey, even Martha's doing it).
3. Create flipbooks
Buy cheap notebooks or use some sticky notes to make flipbooks.
4. Play Arctic explorers
Get out the camping gear and set up a backyard winter explorers' base.
5. Write your own adventure
Write some Star Wars or Harry Potter fanfiction—whatever heroes your kids are into.
6. Use your noodles
Experiment with making your own personal ultimate ramen recipe (find ramen tips on Pinterest).
7. Take a hike
Go for an epic walk.
8. Make chores cheerful
Throw a housecleaning party – complete with music and snacks. Get creative and invent a point system for certain tasks.
9. Get grateful
Throw a thank you card-writing party for all those Christmas gifts. (Hey, it's worth a try.)
10. Improve on a classic
Make epic blanket forts.
11. Get creative
Try some new winter crafts.
12. Bake up something new
Have fun with simple baking recipes.
13. Go sledding
Make a homemade sled—or, take your normal sled and give it a rad new paint job.
14. Play games
Let the kids plan and put together a family game night. (Don't worry – you can still bring your own beer.)
15. Rock out
Make an easy Rubber Band Guitar.
16. Hunt for treats
Create a scavenger hunt with your leftover Christmas candy.
17. Build your own game
Score some old board games at the thrift shop and let the kids mix and match the pieces to create their own games.
18. Play all day
Or invest in some all-day board games to keep the kids busy. With snacks, of course.
19. Make a machine
Use toys, string, and recycling materials to make a breakfast-cereal pouring Rube Goldberg machine.
20. Take to the skies
Make simple kite that really flies out of newspaper or a simple kite out of foam.
21. Geek out
Print your own fake Apple Watch. That way your kid can go back to school with some bling.
22. Keep it groovy
Make a homemade lava lamp with salt and oil.
23. Make your own funny papers
Write funny captions in old magazines or newspapers with a sharpie.
24. Cut and paste
Make some awesome magazine collages.
25. Play (harmless) pranks
Have a prank party with these harmless, funny pranks for kids. (Can't get enough? More pranks this way.)
26. Throw a pizza party
Homemade pizza night! Or lunch.
27. Whip up some playdough
The old standby of making homemade play-doh is still fun: try this easy play-doh recipe, or this super-simple play-doh recipe.
28. Get colorful
Use silicone oven safe muffin trays to recycle all those broken crayons into new ones.
29. Repurpose your Amazon boxes
Look at all the things you can do with cardboard. Some of them might be fun. More here.
30. Freeze ice cube art
Use ice cube trays or clear containers to freeze toys and objects in ice, Han Solo-style—if you live someplace cold, freeze stuff outside, or use the freezer.
31. Don't forget the library
Go to the library and borrow a mountain of books – for free.
32. Make snow un-white
If you live someplace with snow, grab some food color send your kids out to create snow graffiti (more snow art ideas here).
33. Fulfill your Jedi destiny
With a stick, some pipe insulation foam and duct tape, you can make a pretty legit sword or lightsaber that you can use to battle.
Plus, 5 bonus tech activities
- Make a video game with Hopscotch
- Download some podcasts and set up an audio theater
- Explore the posts on Today Box
- Take a virtual tour of art museums around the world
- Experiment with learning piano with Pianu or drop beats with Patatap
