Five Affordable Indoor Activities Your Kids Will Love

Winter has abundant opportunities for outdoor family fun. But with limited daylight and stretches of severe weather, how do you keep your kiddos entertained when going outside isn’t an option? It’s a tough question for parents on a budget, as you can’t just take your little ones to the movies day after day.

Fortunately, children have an unlimited imagination that can fuel a full day of fun.

So flex your creative muscle, and keep them occupied indoors with these activities:

1. Build a Cushion/Pillow Fort

Kids love to build, so encourage them to take the cushions from your couch and create their own special fortress. They can build different rooms for each person in your family, and even reinforce the perimeter against all enemies with extra pillows from their beds!

2. Have a Dance Party

Do your children literally bounce off the walls after being cooped up inside on a snow day? A dance party is a great way for them to burn excess energy. Designate one area as the dance floor, and have them pick some kid-friendly upbeat music. For a twist, they can even challenge each other to dance-offs.

3. Work on a Puzzle

Puzzles are perfect for kids on days when they’re stranded inside. Depending on their age, they may even be able to stay focused on large puzzles, which can potentially keep them busy for hours.

4. Make a Movie

While children may be more familiar with online videos than feature films these days, they can easily pass the time by making their own movies. Using your phone or another camera with video capability, encourage them to write a script, choose costumes, and act out the characters. Most smartphones even have basic editing tools as well.

5. Bake with Your Kids

If you have a knack for creating sweets from scratch and need to keep your kids occupied, baking can take a bite out of a long winter afternoon. First, have them choose a treat (Cookies? Brownies? Cake?). Then, visit the store together to pick out the low-cost ingredients. Finally, incorporate them in every step of the baking process. It’s a great bonding experience, and when it’s over, you get to enjoy a sweet reward for your efforts.