While it’s cold outside, finding ways to keep kids happy inside can prove exhausting. Many times families resort to the expensive options of movie rentals, video games, and wallet-tapping toys. Fortunately, there are some virtually cost-free alternatives. A little preparation time will reward you with happy memories and a safe bank account.
Winter Wonderland
Supplies: Blue paper, white paper, glue, optional colored paper
Using the sheet of blue paper as a background, give the kids the half sheet of white paper and have them make a winter scene with an igloo, etc., by tearing pieces of the white paper and gluing them onto the blue paper. Small amounts of other colored paper can be used to create polar animals and plants.
Polar Painting
Supplies: Poster paint, butcher paper, old socks
Have the children pretend they are seals or penguins and paint the way these animals might. Put socks on their hands to help them imagine not having fingers to use.
Polar Animal Hide and Seek
Supplies: Colored paper
Make cutouts of polar animals from colored paper and hide them around the room. As the children look for the animal, tell them whether they are “hot” or “cold” in relation to the polar animal. Explain the meaning of hot and cold as it relates to this game.
Lacing Cards
Supplies: Poster board, hole punch, yarn or shoelaces
Cut colored poster board into polar animal shapes and punch holes around the edges. Let your children lace yarn or shoelaces into the cards.
Snow Similes
Supplies: Paper, pencil
Similes compare two things using the words ‘like” or “as.” For example, “The snow was as white as the clouds in the sky,” or “the snow was like silver beads on my coat.” Have your children fill in the similes below, then write some of your own:
1. Snow is like __.
2. The snow was as __ as __.
3. The scarf was as __ as __.
4. The scarf was like __.
5. The hill was as slippery as a __.
6. I slid down the hill like a __.
7. The ice was as __ as __.
8. It is as cold as __.
9. My nose was red like a __.
10. The fire in the fireplace was like a __.
Winter Memories
Supplies: Notebook, pencil
Have the kids keep a winter journal. You might be surprised by how much they enjoy it. Help them get started by completing a paragraph that begins with one or more of the following phrases.
1. The snow is falling and I can’t see two feet in front of me __.
2. I love the snow because __.
3. The icicles hung dangerously from the old house__.
4. Sitting by the warm fire, I heard the crackle __.
5. The weather outside is frightful __.
6. I was sledding down the biggest slope when __.
7. I was ice skating on the pond when I could see a reflection __.
8. Winter is important because __.
9. My goals for the next year are __.
10. I had the best time when I __.
Macaroni Snowflake
Supplies: Wagon-wheel macaroni, construction paper, glue, white spray paint optional
If you want, you can first have the kids spray paint the noodles white and let them dry. This is optional. Glue the macaroni onto a piece of paper to make a snowflake shape.
Popcorn Snowman
Supplies: Sandwich-size plastic zipper bag, popped popcorn, stapler, paper, markers, tape
Fill the plastic sandwich bag with popped popcorn and seal the bag. Fold in the top two corners and staple them down. Draw a snowman head, arms, and feet on paper and cut them out. Tape them to the bag to form the snowman.
Snowflake Heaven
Supplies: Paper, scissors
Cut any size paper to make a square. Fold the paper in half. Fold the paper in half again. Fold the paper in half one more time. There will now be one side of the folded triangle that doesn’t have any folded edges. This edge will be the outside of your snowflake. The other two sides have folds. Cut notches in the folded sides, but don’t go all the way through to the other folded side or you will cut your snowflake in half. If you cut a triangle shape from the tip of your triangle, you will make a star shape in the middle of your snowflake. Help the kids have fun experimenting with making different patterns of snowflakes and decorate your windows with them.