The winter brings many cold days that make going outside not enjoyable. Instead of becoming focused on electronics, have a fun bin of games and activities for the family to do something together. Not just the kids!! Parent involvement too! You will be surprised on the response from the kids once you start hanging out together. There might be some laughter, smiles and even a “What’s next?” because they don’t want to stop hanging out with you! Here are some games and activities that are in my special cold day bin.
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1. Puzzles –
They are not for everyone but there are always a few in each family that cannot be pulled away once starting a puzzle. Myself and my oldest daughter are those in our family. I did find a certain puzzle creator that also got my husband and other daughter and son involved as well. It is the neatest concept!! The puzzle picture you see is not what the puzzle is of. WHAT?! I know right! CRAZY! Each puzzle is what someone or something in the original picture sees. It is a challenge and a lot of fun trying to figure out what you are putting together! Check out Wasgij Puzzles! We have done the holiday one and now plan to do it every Christmas! They have so many to choose from. Our next one is this original I linked above.
2. Card Games –
These are great for passing time and changing things up.
SkipBo – You can have up to 6 players with this game. A simple game that you catch onto quickly. My youngest was playing this game when he was four years old and understood it. It has been great for his number practice and counting up to 12.
Spot it! – There are so many versions of this game. We have the original one. You can have up to 8 players with his fun matching game!
Phase10– It is a Rummy inspired game! Great for an extra challenge for my older kids.
Uno– This has been around for years and still a great game! This game has helped my youngest practice his colors and numbers.
3. Board Games –
We play many board games but these are our top 3 favorites that get played more than others.
Clue – We played Clue recently and the kids loved it! There are a few different versions out now. We played with my old version. It teaches the kids how to use clues and the process of elimination.
Sorry – Sorry always has you guessing and is a good game to teach that games are for the fun of playing. It shows how you can be way behind but win or be way ahead and fall back home. So much unknown in the game of Sorry!
Life – Life is always fun and the kids enjoy reading and adding family members to their car.
4. Thinking Games –
Rummikub – This game gets you thinking and is great for younger kids working with their numbers. My older daughter got really good fast with rearranging tiles. A family favorite and can have 4 players. I teamed up with my youngest.
Othello – A two person game but fun to watch others play as you wait to play the winner. The game can change quickly and corners are always the ones to get!
Mancala – This is a new game that got introduced at a Girl Scout camping trip. It seems simple with the stones but it has strategy and a calming effect when playing.
5. Twister –
Twister – It is ancient but still fun! I still have my twister board from when I was a kid. Make sure no one pulls a muscle! Stretch first!
6. Building a Fort –
Not just any fort! The biggest fort ever!! Grab all the sheets in the house and get creative! I have a special bin that I throw old sheet sets in as I replace them. Create rooms inside the fort! Make it to where you can watch a movie in your fort later! Maybe even let the kids sleep in the fort that night if it isn’t a school night. Get some large clips to help hold the sheets in place. No one wants to keep fixing the fort walls. 😉
7. Hide and Seek –
This game never gets old! We even have our dog get in on seeking the hidden person. She is blue heeler/pointer mix and loves the challenge.
8. Dance Party –
Turn the upbeat songs on and let it go. Change it up and let someone have control of the music and when they pause it you have to freeze! Anyone not able to hold their frozen position sits out.
9. Hot lava –
Remember this game as a kid? The floor is hot lava!!! Create pathways using sofa cushions and chairs to get around the living room. The kids will love seeing their parents being goofy and having fun. We truly do not do this often enough with them!
10. Drawing –
Find a roll of paper and spread it across the entire kitchen floor! Dump out some crayons or markers and as a family create a LARGE SCALE drawing of something amazing! This idea is from the movie “Ramona and Beezus”. It can be a zoo with all the animals, a park, an amusement park, a zip line through the jungle on what you see. Get creative and let your imagination go! A great movie that shows her use of her imagination is “Wonder Park“.
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Now it is time to fill that winter indoor bin of fun and be prepared for the next cold day indoors with the family! 🙂 Memories will be made, fun will be had and everyone will look forward to the next time so it can all happen again! Share in the comments any fun ideas you do with your family indoors. 🙂
To stressing less and playing more,
Melissa 🙂
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