Winter is one of those tricky seasons for parents. Sure, the snow is a lot of fun, but here in North Carolina, there isn’t much of it. For the most part, it’s simply cold and sometimes rainy. I am not a fan of cold weather. While we take occasional walks to get some fresh air, most of our winter is spent indoors.
This winter, I have two toddlers and a teenager, and will need lots of ways to keep everyone entertained. I put together this fun list of indoor activities that is customizable for all ages and family needs. Enjoy and stay warm!
Game Nights
This one is great for slightly older kids, typically four and up, but provides tons of family fun. Take turns each game night allowing a different family member to pick that night’s game. You can also add your own twists to classic games. Growing up, my sister and I loved when my mom incorporated real candy for each character on Candy Land.
Crafts
One of the best things about craft time is it is easily customizable for the age. There are so many simple craft ideas online for toddlers up to more complex ones for teenagers and adults. You can even put together craft boxes or kits for your kids that have a mix of supplies with which they can create their own craft.
Trampoline Parks
If you need to get out of the house but want to stay indoors, visiting a trampoline park is a great idea. We have a few in Forsyth County as well as some options outside of the area. If you have younger kids like me, you will love toddler times at places like Airbound Trampoline Park, which is for six and under only. These are also great places for kiddos to get out all that energy!
Themed Movie Nights
Level up your movie night by making it themed around that night’s movies. You can create snacks, meals, desserts and beverages that match the theme. Like game nights, let each family member have a turn choosing a themed movie night. There are so many great ideas you can find on Google or Pinterest to help get your creative juices flowing!
Cook or Bake
Turn baking a dessert or cooking dinner into a fun activity. Assign each family member a task or two and let them be in charge of that. You can even sign up for cooking classes as a family. There’s a lot of learning charcuterie classes available both online and in-person.
Picnic Indoors
My oldest daughter always loved when we would picnic inside on cold and/or rainy days. It’s such a simple thing to do but is really fun. Grab your picnic basket and load it up, then spread out a blanket on the floor and enjoy your indoor picnic.
Hot Chocolate Bar
Whether you want to add something special to a meal or movie night, creating a hot chocolate bar is sure to be a hit. You can put out different kinds of hot chocolates and toppings. Some fun toppings to consider for your hot chocolate bar are marshmallows, candy canes, crushed peppermint, chocolate chips and whipped cream. You can even put out a variety of cookies for dunking in the hot chocolate.
Children’s Museums
Another great option to stay indoors but get out of the house, is visiting children’s museums. The new Kaleideum has something to do for all ages. There are also many places that are a short drive from Winston-Salem, like the Greensboro Science Center or Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum.
Forts
Finally, another simple but fun indoor activity is building a fort. You can keep it simple and just use play spaces you already have like a castle and simply add pillows and blankets. Or go all out and create a more intricate fort using pillows, blankets, furniture and boxes!
