cozy setting in room with fireplace in the background and mug of tea with open book placed on table in foreground

20 Fun and Educational Indoor Activities for Winter

20 Fun and Educational Indoor Activities for Winter

Brrrr! When the cold weather keeps you and your little ones indoors, it’s time to get creative. Staying inside doesn’t have to mean boredom—with a little imagination, you can turn your home into a wonderland of fun and learning. Best of all, most of these activities are free, don’t require new toys, and can be done using materials you probably already have at home. Here are 20 exciting indoor activities that are guaranteed to keep kids entertained while also being educational. Let’s dive in!


1. Build a Blanket Fort 

mom and daughter in a cozy DIY blanket fort at home

Transform your living room into a cozy castle by draping blankets over chairs or furniture. Add pillows, fairy lights, and your child’s favorite stuffed animals for extra charm. Fort-building sparks creativity and critical thinking as kids figure out how to make their structure stand tall. Bonus: forts make the perfect reading nook for a quiet moment later! 

 

2. Go on an Indoor Scavenger Hunt

Write a list of fun items for kids to find around the house, like “something shiny” or “a toy that makes noise.” This activity hones observation skills, encourages problem-solving, and keeps kids active.


3. Create Winter Snowflake Art

Break out the paper and scissors! Show kids how to fold and cut paper to make their own unique snowflakes. Keep the activity going by decorating their creations with markers or cotton balls.


4. Snow-Themed Play Dough Fun

Whip up a batch of homemade play dough. Provide cookie cutters or let kids sculpt snowmen and igloos. This hands-on activity develops fine motor skills, creativity, and tactile exploration.


5. Host a Stuffed Animal Tea Party 

tea cup placed on a decorated table for a tea party

Invite your child’s favorite plush pals to a fancy tea party! Set up a small table with cups, plates, and snacks. Kids can serve “tea” and chat with their stuffed animals. This imaginative play builds social skills, empathy, and role-playing abilities.

 

6. Design an Indoor Obstacle Course

Use cushions, tape on the floor, and furniture to create a fun and challenging course. Have kids crawl under tables, hop over pillows, or balance on a tape line. This activity promotes physical activity, coordination, and problem-solving as they figure out how to navigate the course.

boy crawling through tunnel made of blankets and chairs at home

7. Put on a Puppet Show

Make puppets out of socks or paper bags, then create a mini theater using a cardboard box. Kids can write their own play and perform it for the family. This activity encourages creativity, storytelling, and public speaking skills.


8. Create a Sensory Bin Adventure 

girl with hands in bin of corn kernels sensory bin

Fill a large container with dry rice, pasta, or beans, and hide small toys or objects inside. Let kids dig, scoop, and explore. Sensory bins stimulate tactile learning, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. *Tip: can set this up in the bath tub for easier clean up because there will be inevitable spillage - just make sure the drain is well sealed!

 

9. Indoor Balloon Volleyball

Blow up a balloon and clear a space in the living room for an energetic game of volleyball. Use a string or tape on the floor as the “net.” This activity keeps kids active and improves their coordination.

two kids playing with a pink balloon thrown in the air

10. Try Indoor Camping 

indoor room in house set up for camping with camp chairs and a tent for kids

Set up a small tent or lay out sleeping bags in the living room. Use flashlights for storytelling and enjoy “snacks by the campfire” (aka the coffee table). Indoor camping encourages imaginative play and creates lasting memories. *Tip: can do this for afternoon nap time

 

11. Have a Dance Party

Blast your favorite tunes and let loose with some funky dance moves! Dancing is not only a great way to burn off energy but also improves coordination, rhythm, and mood.


12. Make DIY Musical Instruments

Create maracas with rice and plastic containers or drums with pots and pans. Kids can experiment with sounds and rhythms while learning about music and creativity.


13. Craft a Winter Collage

Use magazines, scrap paper, or natural items like twigs and leaves to create a winter-themed collage. Kids can layer materials and talk about their design choices. This activity sparks creativity and teaches about textures and composition.


14. Start an Indoor Garden 

spouting seedling plants in a tray

Plant seeds in small pots and watch them grow on a sunny windowsill. Kids learn responsibility as they care for their plants and discover basic science concepts about nature. *Tip: Use trimmings of something you might have in the fridge to start planting (green onions, basil, avocado, etc).

 

15. Bake Together

Let kids help measure, mix, and decorate cookies, muffins, or cupcakes. This hands-on activity improves math skills and introduces basic chemistry concepts, all while creating something delicious.

hand holding an icing piping bag and decorating christmas themed cookies

16. Create an Art Gallery

Turn a wall or fridge into a mini art gallery. Have kids draw, paint, or craft their masterpieces, then explain their work during a family “art show.” This activity boosts self-expression and communication skills.

kids hands holding paintbrushes and painting on paper

17. Host a Movie Night with a Twist

Choose an educational or inspiring movie and pair it with themed snacks. Can extend this by discussing the movie afterward to encourage critical thinking. *Tip: Set up a cozy movie night in a DIY blanket fort. 

cozy indoor tent set up with fairly lights, blankets and pillows and a computer playing a movie

18. Build a Cardboard City

Grab some empty boxes and let kids create buildings, roads, and toy cars for their own mini city. Provide markers, tape, and scissors for decorating. This activity promotes engineering skills and imaginative play.


19. Snowy Science Exploration 

spoonful of baking soda spilling partially onto surface

Create fake snow using baking soda and shaving cream. Let kids build tiny snowmen or explore the texture. This simple science activity is a hands-on way to introduce chemistry and results in a fun sensory play experience.

 

20. Create an Activity Jar

Have kids come up with activity ideas (for the year or a specific time like spring break) like “make ice cream” or “go to the zoo” and write them down separately on small pieces of paper. Put them all in a jar and now you can have a surprise activity to draw from the jar when you need some extra inspiration.


Stay Warm, Stay Playful

Cold weather is the perfect time to create those special memories at home with your kids. These 20 activities bring together fun, learning, and creativity—and who knows? You might find some new favorite traditions along the way.

💡 Ready to add more learning and fun to playtime? Explore Carabie’s inclusive toys and books for even more creative ways to educate and inspire your little ones!

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