Here's 100 activities to help keep the kids occupied during the rest of the winter.
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- cut large and small notches in the side of a box and use a broom and small balls to play 'golf' (Line with pillows to create bumpers)
- make up or act out a play
- create an obstacle course outside in the snow
- mix frosting, chocolate chips, pretzel sticks, and some candy corn in a bowl and dip into the 'melted snowman' dessert dip with graham crackers
- put together photo albums
- bake some cookies
- use felt or draw a hop scotch game on a table cloth and toss fruit snack packets as you hop (Eat them when you're done -- yum!)
- bake a cake
- place a rubber ball between your calves and 'waddle' walk and race like a penguin
- make an indoor ball pit pool
- glue a cardboard tube on a paper plate, cut out an inner circle from 6 paper plates and play ring toss
- use cookie cutters and decorate cookies
- braid hair
- tape crepe paper across the hallway in different angles to create a paper laser maze
- build a fort out of sheets
- decorate boxes into a snowman and bowl to knock them over
- build with Legos or blocks
- call a friend or two
- do an experiment
- pick photos for a scrapbook
- make a snowstorm in a water bottle with glitter and beads (glue the top)
- clean out your toy box
- put on a dress up fashion show
- tie a large 7-8 yard fabric over and under a long table to create a reading hammock
- make a silly snowman
- flatten a box into a rectangle and cover it with duct tape to create a sled
- clean under the bed
- color together with crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- put a little water and a few drops of blue food coloring in the tub, toss in some magnetic letters and use a stick with a string and magnet to go 'fishing' in the tub
- fill spray bottles with colored water and use them to spraypaint the snow outside
- place ten white cups in a triangle shape and bowl or use them as a ball toss
- cut strips of fleece and make your own scarves by snipping tassles at the end
- fill a large balloon with colored water, set them outside to freeze, then cut off the balloon for a colored lawn decoration
- cook something together
- Use sliced in half pool noodles, wood planks, or tubes and blocks to make matchbox car race tracks of different heights
- copy pictures from your favorite picture books
- learn about a different country online (Create a passport to illustrate where you've been and 'go' somewhere whenever it is too rainy or snowy out)
- create a 'treasures' box by decorating a shoebox
- fill mismatch gloves with cotton and stitch closed before decorating with monster faces using buttons and beads for eyes and felt for mouths
- dangle yarn from above into different colored water cups and create colorful icicles
- draw and label a family tree (add small pictures if you like.)
- break out the pots and pans and play some music
- fill some bottles with different levels of water to tap or blow into and make music
- teach yourself to knit or crochet
- use tissue paper circles and pipe cleaners to create paper flowers
- cut and paste pictures from magazines and write a silly story
- make-up your own board game with poster board
- tape off a snowflake, paint around the tape, and then pull up the tape for a reverse snowflake painting
- put together a jigsaw puzzle
- surprise an older neighbor by making something for them
- break out some puzzles, word search books, crossword puzzles or hidden picture pages
- play 'school' and practice some skills that might need improving
- open some 'how to draw' books and create a flip book
- illustrate cartoon strips
- clean the house
- make a fortune teller out of origami paper
- empty the dishwasher
- find a pen pal to write or skype with
- sing songs while you fold laundry
- find scraps of paper, string, pom poms, and other bits to create a collage
- have a tea party with your dolls
- make a skeleton or picture out of macaroni noodles
- blow bubbles outside to create frozen bubbles
- set up a tent in the living room and go camping
- use masking tape to make circles on the carpet and play marbles
- glue pennies to the front and back of the soles of a pair of shoes for some indoor tap shoes (careful where they tap!)
- have D.E.A.R. time at home (Drop everything and read!)
- grab flash cards or a dictionary and have a math or spelling bee
- lay out a blanket and have a picnic on the floor
- look up different paper airplane directions and have a race to see which design is the fastest
- have a tea party with real mini appetizers or finger sandwiches
- put on an indoor circus with stuffed animals
- learn a new magic trick
- create paper animals with origami
- grab your favorite chapter book as a kid and read it to your kids, no matter their age
- read online books on the iPad or computer
- make a collage from magazine pictures of favorites (Favorite food, favorite toys, favorite activities, …)
- do a craft together
- decorate a box and make a clubhouse or store
- tape empty cardboard tubes into a wall in a pattern and let the kids roll marbles down them like a roller coaster
- draw a map of the house and hide something for someone else to find using the map
- use a wire hanger to make a mobile
- use blankets and cushions to make a hideout
- tie three brooms or poles together and make a blanket tee pee
- cut strips of card stock and illustrate bookmarks
- make dessert together
- cut up carton or fruit rind and make a bird feeder
- make dinner together
- buy a cape and design your own superhero logo on it
- print out paper dolls and clothes to cut out and play with
- build something with marshmallows, pretzel sticks, raisins, frosting, or graham crackers
- take string and make friendship bracelets
- play with play-doh or make your own play dough
- make 'helicopters' using straws and card stock
- fold paper and cut out hearts or snowflakes
- tape paper plates to Popsicle sticks and blow up a balloon for some indoor badminton fun
- make a sandwich together (Use cookie or sandwich cutters to make it fun)
- take some mismatched socks and create sock puppets (cut a hole in a box and make a puppet show)
- design your own cooking apron with puff paints
- tape arched paper around the room as a hockey/golf course to tap a soft ball through
Write all of the activities you like from this list on strips of paper and put them in a can to pick one or two on the next 'boring' day.
Don't forget to check out our local calendar or for fun things to do out of the house this week!