Family Activity
Winter time fun !
The weather outside may be frightful , but we ’ ve come up with 25 + ways your little ones and you can still have a blast this winter .
Keeping toddlers and preschoolers active in the winter can often be a challenge , so we asked our expert ECFE and School Readiness Preschool staff to share their favorite ways to enjoy our winter wonderland and cures for cabin fever . Bonus - download a printable checklist of these 25 activities and find 25 additional snowy and cozy fun ideas !
Head outside
You may just want to hibernate , but children still need fresh air during the winter . So , grab your hat and mittens and enjoy the snow !
• Make patterns or tracks in the snow
• Fill a spray bottle with water and a little food coloring and ‘ spray paint ’ the snow
• Use pails and shovels to build snow castles
• Make snow critters – how about a caterpillar , use twigs for the antennae
• Make snow angels
• Build a snow family
• Play snow soccer
• Make snow faces on your trees
• Blow bubbles and watch them freeze
• Draw pictures in the snow
• Pin the smile or nose on the snowman
• Catch snowflakes on your tongue
Stay indoors
Some days it is just too cold or icy to go out . Ward off cabin fever with these ideas :
• Create an indoor obstacle course
• Cook or bake something together
• Have an indoor picnic
• Feed the birds – String popcorn , cranberries and cereal or peanut butter on a stick rolled in bird seed
• Finger paint with pudding
• Make a tent with a blanket – indoor camping , don ’ t forget a flashlight
• Have a snowball fight with cotton balls or rolled up socks
• Drink hot chocolate or warm cider and watch the snow fall
• Put bubble wrap on the floor – how many ways different ways can you use to make it pop
• Have an indoor beach party
• Play dress up
• Make paper snowflakes
• Make a marshmallow snowman
And don ’ t forget to curl up under a blanket with a good book . A few of our staff favorite winter-themed books are :
• “ Snowy Day ” by Ezra Jack Keates
• “ Snowmen at Night ” by Caralyn Buehner
• “ The Mitten ” by Jan Brett
• “ Holly ’ s Red Boots ” by Francesca Chessa
• “ Here Comes Jack Frost “ by Kazuno Kohara
Whether we have no snow or too much snow , we hope you find some great activities for your family indoors , outdoors or both .
Don ’ t forget to stop by our Facebook page and share your favorite wintertime activities .