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[For Kids] Indoor Games and Activities Recommended for Winter Break
We’re introducing indoor activities for kids that are perfect for spending winter break with family and friends!
It’s important for kids to play actively outdoors even in winter, but when it’s too cold, that’s not always possible.
Plus, winter is the season when colds and other illnesses tend to spread, so to avoid getting chilled, indoor play naturally becomes more common.
So in this article, we’ve put together a list of recommended indoor activities for winter to help you when you’re wondering, “What should we do for fun during winter break?”
We’ve picked out a variety of activities, from brain games to those that get kids moving, so be sure to have fun trying them with your child!
[For Kids] Recommended Indoor Games and Activities for Winter Break (1–10)
Playing in the snow indoors
When it snows, kids get super excited, don’t they? Children touching snow for the first time are surprised by how cold it is and become fascinated by how quickly it melts.
So why not enjoy some snow play indoors? Outside, you might worry about catching a cold, but indoors it’s warm and safe, and kids can play as much as they like.
Buckets and shovels are great, of course, and toys for making pretend ice cream used for sandbox play can be fun, too.
If you don’t have real snow, you can make snow that doesn’t melt by simply mixing conditioner with baking soda.
Be sure to enjoy indoor snow play!
Shooting gallery game
Let me introduce a simple shooting game you can make and play using everyday materials.
All you need are paper cups and rubber bands, so it’s easy to try at home—that’s a big plus.
Since you’ll be using a craft knife to cut out the bottom of a paper cup, please be very careful if children are making it.
It goes more smoothly if an adult handles the finer steps.
Decorate the paper cups however you like to create your own original shooting set and have fun playing.
If you draw point values or kids’ favorite characters on the target cups, it will be even more exciting.
Give it a try!
Fukuwarai (a traditional Japanese “lucky laugh” face-making game)
How about livening things up with the classic New Year’s game, Fukuwarai? The rules are simple—you arrange facial parts while blindfolded—so even small children can enjoy it.
It could be even more fun if you print out family photos and make your own original Fukuwarai set!
Indoor beanbag toss
Indoor ball-toss is a perfect, fun activity for the winter break! It may be cold outside, but kids can still move their bodies to the fullest indoors, which makes them so happy.
You can start easily by making a goal with a cardboard box and tossing in light balls or balloons.
It’s also fun to come up with basket designs and rules together with the kids.
As they experiment with throwing styles and how much force to use, it helps them practice aiming and build concentration.
An indoor ball-toss game that the whole family can enjoy—give it a try!
One-Touch Bowling
You can knock them down and easily set them back up! Here’s how to make a fun bowling game.
What you’ll need: a slightly thick board to arrange the pins on, plastic bottles, strong vinyl tape for secure fixing, and thick paper to make rings.
First, prepare 10 plastic bottles or other recyclables and make rings sized to fit them.
Stick the rings onto the bowling base where the pins will be arranged, using tape.
Cut the tape lengthwise and attach it so the rings can spring back into place.
Put the plastic bottles inside the rings, and you’re done! Even if you knock the pins down with a ball, the rings are secured with tape, so you can quickly set them back up.
Give it a try!
oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)
When it comes to indoor games during winter break, nothing beats Oshikura Manju.
Everyone stands back-to-back in a circle and pushes toward the outside.
Can you stay inside the circle until the end? But more important than winning is having fun together.
As long as you take care to keep it safe, even small children can join in, making it a perfect chance to strengthen bonds with family and friends.
On those chilly winter-break days, why not spend some energetic time with this traditional, active game? Create warm memories that beat the cold with Oshikura Manju.
Crawling under the rope
A great recommendation for little kids is “rope crawling.” It’s a simple game where you just duck under a rope with newspaper strips hanging from it like a curtain, but it’s plenty of fun.
Shake the rope to rustle and spark their curiosity.
It’s nice and easy to set up.