Winter is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy more cozy moments with family. But it can get too cold to play outside, so staying indoors is sometimes the best option. Fortunately, there are endless options for winter family activities. If you have enough time, you can even knock these out one at a time until you’ve gone through all of them.
Indoor Winter Family Activities for a Fun Time
Spending time with your family is one of the best ways to make the most of the winter season. It’s also a great way to boost your happiness, as studies show. Here are the most enjoyable winter family activities you can do indoors.
1. Plan a Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt not only sparks excitement in participants but also gets everyone moving. The best part is that you can do it indoors, too. Make sure to plan ahead by coming up with a list of items for everyone to find. Go with simple things like household objects, specific colors, and winter-themed items.
If you have young kids playing, don’t forget to make an easier list for them. Older kids can have more challenging items and riddles. If you want to make it extra fun, set a timer to see who can check off the most items in a limited time. While bragging rights and great memories are enough, you can also make things a little more interesting by offering a prize to the winner.
2. Watch a Movie Marathon
Movies are always great for setting the mood, especially during long winter days spent indoors. Make an entire day or weekend out of watching movies. Every family member can pick out one or two they want to watch. This way, everyone gets a chance to share their favorite flicks. From animated classics to holiday feel-goods, there’s a movie for everyone.
To make for a really memorable experience, decorate the room for a cozier atmosphere. Dim the lights, use pillows as chairs, and snuggle up in blankets. Of course, don’t forget the snacks. Popcorn, candy, and fizzy drinks will complete the whole theme.
3. Start a Book Club
Reading together as a family can be a great bonding experience. Choose books that appeal to everyone’s interests to plan your family book club. For younger kids, it’s best to pick books with pictures or short books. This way, you can hold their attention for longer. Meanwhile, older children may enjoy more complex stories.
As with a movie marathon, set the mood by decorating your space. Each family member can read a different book, or everyone can read the same one simultaneously. You can even take turns reading the book aloud for everyone to enjoy together.
4. Assemble an Indoor Obstacle Course
If your kids have too much energy to burn during winter, an indoor obstacle course is the perfect solution. Use chairs, cushions, and blankets to create obstacles like tunnels, balance beams, and jumps. Get creative with household items like hula hoops or jump ropes.
Of course, you’ll need a sizable space for an obstacle course, so choose a large room or hallway. Set a timer for every person to see who can complete it the fastest. You can even spice things up by adding rules like doing the course on one foot or while crawling. Just make sure to child-proof the area to avoid accidents.
5. Play Board Games
There’s something timeless about gathering around for a board game night. Classics like Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble are always great options. But if you’re into exploring other games, there are plenty of new titles that are worth a try. You can even make a whole day of it — just playing board games until everyone tires out. Board games are a great way to stimulate your brain and encourage some friendly competition, making them a top choice for winter indoor family activities.
6. Cook and Bake Together
The kitchen can be the heart of your winter family fun. You and your family can prepare dishes together for an unforgettable and tasty time. Easy recipes like cupcakes, cookies, and pizza are good for the younger ones. Give them simple tasks such as stirring, pouring, and decorating. Throughout the process, make sure to explain everything so that it can be a learning experience for kids, too.
7. Build a Fort
Fort-building is a time-honored tradition, but not a lot of kids get to do it nowadays. Transform your living room or bedroom into an adventure. Gather chairs, cushions, blankets, and pillows to create a magical hideaway. You can fill the fort with books and snacks. You can even decorate it with twinkle lights for a cozier feel.
8. Have a Dance Party
Who says you can’t have a dance party in the middle of winter? Create a playlist by asking every family member to contribute a few songs. Then, clear some space in your living room for dancing. You can make it even more exciting by turning it into a dance-off, with each person taking turns showing off their best moves. It’s one of the easiest indoor winter activities for families!
9. Play Makeshift Bowling
You don’t need a trip to the bowling alley for a game of bowling — you can recreate it at home! Grab some empty bottles or paper towel rolls to use as pins and a small ball (even a rolled-up sock works). It’s best to do this in a long hallway, but you can just easily get the same results in your living room or bedroom. If you want some family fun in the winter, this is the way to go.
10. Do Some Arts and Crafts
Winter is a great time to unleash your creativity with arts and crafts. With household items such as paper, markets, and glue, you and your kids can quickly whip up some drawings and designs. You can even put a festive spin on it by making snowflakes and ornaments. Don’t forget to hang these decorations around the house to proudly display your creations!
11. Solve a Puzzle
Puzzle-solving is one of the best winter family activities to challenge your mind while having fun at the same time. There are plenty of puzzles you can buy at various difficulty levels. Remember to adjust your puzzle based on your kids’ ages. Set up a designated table for the puzzle so everyone can gather and contribute.
You can even combine this with your arts and crafts session and create your own puzzle. It’s one of the best winter activities with family because it encourages teamwork and patience.
12. Go Indoor Camping
If the cold weather has you missing outdoor adventures bring the camping experience inside! Set up a tent in the living room or create a cozy camping spot with blankets and pillows. You can make the experience more authentic by using a portable campfire light, roasting marshmallows over the stove, and telling campfire stories. It’s definitely one of the more creative and enjoyable winter break ideas for families.
13. Have an Indoor Snowball Fight
No snow outside? No problem! You can still have a snowball fight indoors with soft items like rolled-up socks or foam balls. To do this, clear out some space space in your living room, set up barriers like pillows or chairs, and let the battle begin. Remember to establish ground rules, though, to avoid any accidents.
Winter Fun for Everyone
Just because you can’t go outside in the wintertime doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. These winter family activities are perfect if you want to have an enjoyable time while still staying warm and cozy.
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