Wind, rain and wet snow. I'm getting tired of this weather pretty quickly. I'd rather sit outside in the sun. While enjoying a glass of wine looking at my offspring. How they climb the tallest trees or play hide and seek. Well, the four seasons each have their own charm. But with this weather I don't see the beautiful seasonal characteristics. With kids arguing inside the house all day long, I can't complete any household chores in a reasonable amount of time. This doesn't improve the atmosphere, so I decided it's time for some indoor activities for children. I've listed some ideas but keep me recommended for your tips!
Just play, what is that?
The kids themselves are not bothered by the bad weather. They need nothing but their smartphone or tablet. Indoor activities? They don't seem to expect that at all. I'm fine with being a bit digital, after all, they don't get it from a stranger. But to spend a whole drizzly day behind a screen is going too far for me. They are far from enthusiastic about every other activity I suggest. Everything is boring or stupid, they are bored. Is that the case with you too? It can also be different, right? "Just playing" needs to be made attractive again 😉 . How? I'll tell you that.
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Make a cheerful cabin at home! Really dear people, do you have a room, a big box (check our Facebook post) or a corner to spare? Let them make this a children's paradise, including house rules. They are no use to you.
Collect all (children's) books and magazines! Display it in a convenient place and then lend it out. In a notebook the children keep track of who has borrowed which book and the homemade passes are of course indispensable. For adults, this indoor activity is also a great time to select books for flea markets or the wastepaper basket 😉 .
Isn't indoor entertainment what you're looking for? Check out the fun children's musicals 2017 here, get out and enjoy!
Does your child have no patience to 'play quietly' but does he or she have to lose his or her energy? Then of course you run the risk that they will use your couch as a kind of jumping pillow at an unguarded moment. Not nice, I know .
'We parents' are generally not very happy with this - of course fantastic - indoor activity for children. But now I have come across a very nice alternative! At LeukvanLieke I came across spring mattresses ! How cool is that! It is a mattress especially meant to jump on. Soft, so they can't hurt themselves and it also strengthens muscles, bones and the sense of balance! And keeps mom and dad's grumbling at a distance 😉 .
Read also: Super fun outdoor games, weather permitting
One of the most fun -and easiest- indoor activities for kids is still drawing and coloring. They like to do that here, but unfortunately it is often short-lived. However, this changes when the children are allowed to write their own books. And those books can of course be used for the home library! This makes for many picture books, but also produces the most amazing stories. The afternoon flies by and it's educational too.
Tip:Have your children written a really nice book? Then bundle them (secretly) by turning them into a beautiful photo book! A great way to surprise them, reward their creativity and save it for later.
No snow but still enjoying winter fun? That can just go in. Even if you don't immediately think of indoor activities for children when I talk about snow, there are possibilities! Think big! Tempex balls turn into snowballs. Stack and throw plastic cups! With all this soft stuff, nothing breaks and you still have a lot of fun. A plate with holes in it also works very well, provided the holes are big enough for the tempex balls 😉 .
And how about moving popcorn with a straw? The popcorn in this case is edible snow and bottled water can be offered as “melted snowman”. Explain immediately what the term 'don't eat yellow snow ’ means and your kids giggle all afternoon! Of course you can also make snow yourself with the little ones, guaranteed success!
Read also: Make your own snow, 2 different ways
They soon find it boring to play a normal game. But by making it a competition it suddenly becomes a lot more fun. Choose games together that fall within the competition and make a score card. Shuffleboard, quartets, nail pooping or cookie bites are all fine. A pennant or medal for all winners and everyone is happy! Do you want to help them along the way with learning to read or learn to spell? Then make sure you have the letter game mat at home!
Read also: Playful games on the letter game mat
Children are often very creative. Let them make and play their own (board) game. How then, I hear you think. The children will come up with that themselves, but here are two examples to help you on your way.
What's the picture 2.0
Have the children write all kinds of words on colored notes. You put the notes in a homemade paper basket and mix it up. Draw a note and sign what is written on the note. This is really funny, because the self-made words are much cooler (read:more naughty) than in the real game.
Goose board
Have them make a kind of goose board, and let them come up with the assignments themselves. A piece of cardboard as a surface and they can go to work!
Bake and grab prizes. The real cup cake cup is a bit too ambitious for us. But at home my mini bakers are of course the very best. Bake cupcakes together and then decorate your own cakes. Not just. No, indicate fun themes. And with this cup the following applies:always a price! Because unlike with the real cup cake cup, the cake here is not eaten by the jury, but by the bakers themselves 😉 .
Read also: treat cupcake ice creams, simple and super tasty
For example, on rainy days we spend whole parts of the day here, with or without friends. To be fair, with this indoor entertainment, my household often doesn't get much done, but at least I don't have to grumble all day.
Have the indoor activities for children been a success and does everyone hide behind a screen after dinner? Then I grab a glass of wine and a book from our home library and retire to the kids' cabin! So you see, every season has something beautiful!
Image used via Shutterstock
