Winter Month Ideas for Kids: Fun Activities to Keep Them Busy, Creative & Happy All Season

Winter can sometimes feel like a never-ending snowstorm of boredom with little ones bouncing off the walls. But fear not! It's also the perfect season for snuggling up, getting creative, and making unforgettable memories both inside and outside the igloo you call home. Here are simple activity ideas to keep your kiddos entertained and smiling all winter long (from a veteran of a 5 year old and almost 2 year old).

1. Indoor Play That Burns Energy

When the cold makes it impossible to get outside, having go-to activities that burn energy inside is a lifesaver.

• Hear me out... it's an investment, but we got this when my oldest was 2 years old (she's now 5) and it STILL gets good use out of it! We got this bounce house, and it's a sure fire way to burn energy and have lots of fun! Best money I have ever spent lowkey.

• A living room obstacle course using pillows, couch cushions, and tunnels.

• Balloon volleyball or “keepy-uppy”

• Floor is Lava Game — a whole new level to this nostalgic game!

• Dance parties with karaoke (we use our fireplace as a stage lol)

• YouTube Kids dance parties (and Freeze Dance)

• Hide & Seek or "Pretend Police Officer" are our household favorites complimentary of our dollar hand cuffs from Dollar General haha

• This sink (more suitable for 3 and under but my 5 year old enjoys it too) in the winter time we will do this in the bathtub or shower with swimsuits on!

These take almost no prep and give kids a way to move when the weather isn’t cooperating.

2. Creative Crafts for Cold Days

Winter crafts can keep little hands busy and little minds focused. Bonus: most are low-cost and easy to set up.

• Snowflake cutting stations (more suitable for 4+)

• DIY slime (Elmer's Glue, Shaving Cream, & Contact Solution)

• DIY playdough (1/2 cup lotion, 1/2 cup cornstarch) with winter scents (peppermint, vanilla, pine) *TIP - give them "tools" to play with in the playdough.

• Sensory bins with rice, scoops, rocks, etc.

• Dot markers / coloring — great for small hands!

3. Cozy At-Home Experiences

On days when you want to stay warm and inside, create fun little “experiences” at home.

• DIY pizza night — let them get messy!

• Themed movie nights with blankets + hot cocoa. I've mentioned this product before.. but this projector makes the experience even more fun.

• Game nights - we love Break the Ice, Trouble, and Hungry Hungry Hippo

• Kids’ spa day with warm towels, lotion, and bubble baths with color changing bath bombs (these ones have toys in side for extra fun!)

4. Toys that Help Pass the Time

• Search and Find - I originally got these for a long road trip we had, but they work great when I need some time to do the dishes haha.

• Flower Garden building set — this legit kept my oldest busy for hours.

• Magnetic tiles — such a neat invention that keeps many ages busy!

5. Out of the House — St. Louis, MO Indoor Play Activities

These are for my local mommas, but I'm sure you can find similar ideas and places near your city too!

• Go Play (Chesterfield, MO) — This is great for kids of ALL ages, and parents too! They even have a separate room for play for 12-24 months. We can easily spend the majority of our day here, there is so much to do: slides, tunnels, trampolines, climbing walls, foam pits, you name it — feels like it has it all!

• Sky Zone (multiple locations throughout St. Louis) — Best for 4+, but LOTS of energy to expend here haha.

• Playtime Arcade and Bar — This is a massive room full of bounce houses and jungle gyms + a full arcade. We found this great for both ages, toddler and kid!

• The Magic House — A staple. However fair warning, so much fun will be had, it might make it hard to leave haha.

• Little Bits Gym (Lake Saint Louis, MO) — They do Parents Night Out on certain Saturday's, where the kids play, eat, and get out their energy! I believe it's $10 and it's practically like a built in babysitter for a date night on the weekend.

If winter has taught us anything, it’s that kids have an unlimited amount of energy and a very limited attention span. But armed with a few of these activities, you might just buy yourself enough quiet time to switch the laundry or sit down for 45 blessed seconds. Here’s to staying warm, staying creative, and staying just ahead of the meltdown curve until spring! Comment below if you try any or have other ideas for mommas like me to try this winter!