In need of fun home activities to keep your kids busy during the winter months? You’re in luck! Below are seven open-ended activities to help you keep your kids busy, while exercising their body and mind. See how many you can try!  

Indoor Fun 

We all know that some winter days in Minnesota can be too cold to play outside. Here are a few activity ideas for those days when you’re stuck inside. 

• Create DIY Laser Maze. With a few materials you likely have around the house (tap, streamers, ribbon, etc.), kids can create their very own laser maze.  
• Make your own playdough. Who doesn’t love playdough? And, it’s easy and fun to make your own! Get a simple recipe for playdough here.  
• Put together sensory bins. Sensory bins empower kids to explore a variety of textures, sights and sounds. Get tips on making sensory bins that will keep them engaged and having fun here. 
• Make a time capsule. Kids can preserve a bit of their present for their future selves by creating a time capsule. Suggestions and tips on how to make one here.   

Outdoor Fun  

Snow and cool temperatures bring with it some fun opportunities for outdoor play. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Make sure to bundle up for the weather! 

• Paint snow. Fill a spray bottle with water and a bit of food coloring. Then start spraying the snow. Kids can make art in snowbanks, practice writing letters or numbers in the snow, decorate a snowman and more.  
• Build with sand toys and baking tools. Pull out your sand toys (shovels, buckets, etc.) and kitchen supplies (measuring cups, muffin tins, etc.). They’re great for building snow castles, mazes and more.  
• Experiment with bubbles. Bubbles are just as fun in the winter as they are in the summer. When temperatures get cold, grab some bubbles, blow them outside and watch as they freeze. Find out more here.

Looking for even more activities? You can find them at mcm.org/parent-resources/new-parent-resources-activities-page.