Easy Indoor Fun - Cleanup Included!
Across the country we are digging out from one big, bitter cold winter storm. We are sure to have more winter weather ahead - days ahead where school is cancelled and kids are indoors at home without their usual routines, physical activities, social interaction and thinking challenges. Here are some easy activities to help your child fulfill their body’s need to be active and moving:
How long do you think she lasted out there?
Taken during the Presidents’ Day Storm of 2003.
- Sock Race – After washing/drying a load of socks (or raid the sock drawers), dump unmatched socks on the floor at the end of a hallway. Place the laundry basket at the other end. See how quickly your child can find matching pairs of socks and bring them back to the basket. How many can they find in 2 minutes?
o BONUS #1 – Folding one sock over and tucking the other into it is a nice bilateral and fine motor activity.
o Bonus #2 – Call out an animal for them to imitate as they are going to/from the pile of socks. Try bear, crab, and seal to give them a whole-body workout.
- Indoor Snowballs – Have your child tear an old newspaper, magazine or other scrap paper and wad it up as tightly as they can. Make as many as you can, divide them in half, and fire away at each other from a designated area such as 2 sides of a rug, behind two dining room chairs, or any spot that gives them a “home base”.
o BONUS - Turn an empty trash can into a snow monster and “feed” him with snowballs.
- Snow Fort – Let your children bring out pillows, cushions and blankets and two sturdy chairs and let them at it – the heavy work involved is great, and the creativity is sure to flow.
o BONUS #1- let them have a flashlight and some books or favorite toys. BONUS #2 – When it is time to clean up, see who can return the most pillows, etc. to the correct room or piece of furniture.
- Dance Party – This one needs no explaining!
o BONUS #1 - Have 1 person lead the dance movements for 20 seconds, then tap another person to be the leader.
o BONUS #2 – After the party, give your child something to suck to help with calm down. Sucking thick liquids through a straw is a self-regulating activity. Bonus #3 – Make snow ice cream! It is soft enough to suck through a straw. Perfect!
- BONUS – Make Snow Cream – This recipe from Southern Living is simple, the ingredient list is flexible, and even gives some history of this winter treat!
Five minutes.
