[For Kids] Indoor Games and Activities Recommended for Winter Break

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

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] Indoor Games and Recreational Activities Recommended for Winter Break (21–30)

A museum where you can learn about nature even in winter!

If you want to connect with nature even in the cold of winter, museums are a great recommendation.

Because most exhibits are indoors, they’re warm and comfortable, so you can enjoy them with peace of mind even on snowy days.

They offer plenty of displays that let you experience the wonders of nature, such as fossils, minerals, animal taxidermy, and plant specimens.

Some museums even host special exhibitions with winter-specific themes, like the mechanisms of snow and ice or the ecology of hibernating animals.

In the hands-on areas, families can learn while having fun with activities like stargazing through telescopes and fossil excavation experiences.

Why not take this chilly season as an opportunity to enjoy the mysteries of nature indoors at your own pace?

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Winter Outing! Hands-On Museum

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Interactive museums that you can enjoy leisurely indoors are perfect for the cold season.

Here are three types of spots ideal for winter outings.

First, science museums: you can experience winter-specific science like static electricity and how snowflakes form.

Next, art museums: workshops where you mix colors or collage paper offer a special time creating original works.

Lastly, food museums: activities like making sweets or baking bread let you learn while savoring winter flavors.

Museums that offer discoveries through hands-on experiences are perfect destinations for family outings in winter.

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[For Kids] Recommended Indoor Games and Recreational Activities for Winter Break (31–40)

A picture book library that soothes adults, too!

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As a winter outing spot, “picture book libraries” are steadily gaining popularity.

They’re soothing spaces for children, of course, but also for adults.

In the quiet rooms scented with wood, shelves are lined with classics from around the world and seasonal picture books.

With every turn of the page, a sense of nostalgia and warm memories come back to you.

You can read together as a parent and child, or take your time savoring a favorite book on your own.

Many libraries have sofa seating and cozy little reading nooks, letting you relax and forget the cold outside.

How about spending a winter’s day peacefully in the world of picture books?

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Fun indoors! Ice play

@nexus_official5
Makes you look forward to cold days?! We can’t wait for spring either, but try making this on a day when the forecast says it’ll be chilly the next day!#nexus #memorytree nursery school Kids will love it #IcePlay Winter Play Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #MemoriesTree Nursery School
♬ Escort – MoppySound

Using tissue paper and food coloring to make “flower ice” is a beautiful winter-only experiment play.

First, place tissue paper in a clear cup, add water and your choice of food coloring or paint, and gently stir.

Depending on the color combinations, you’ll get patterns as lovely as flower petals.

Set the cups outside to freeze, and you’ll have “flower ice” with colors sealed inside crystal-clear ice.

It’s fun to hold them up to the sunlight or stack them to create an icy flower garden.

A winter art experience that captivates both kids and adults.

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Instant Snow You Can Enjoy Indoors!

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Playing in the snow is fun, but you can get injured or even feel unwell depending on the temperature.

That’s why I’d like to introduce instant snow, which you can enjoy indoors.

Instant snow is a product that fluffs up and looks like real snow just by adding water, and it’s easy to buy from online shops.

It’s a great item for indoor play—not only for snow play, but also for make-believe games, snow art, and even turning into slime for sensory fun.

Another nice point is that it feels cool like real snow but doesn’t melt.

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Fun for parents and kids! Pottery workshop

A popular indoor winter activity is a parent-and-child pottery experience.

In a warm studio, you can enjoy the feel of clay and create a one-of-a-kind piece.

Many studios let you choose what to try, such as hand-building or using an electric potter’s wheel, and for small children, starting with hand-building is recommended.

Even if the shape turns out a little uneven, that becomes part of its charm and makes for a memorable piece.

It takes some time until the firing is finished, but the moment you receive the completed work is truly moving.

Even on cold winter days, this parent-child experience will warm your heart with the clay’s warmth and lots of smiles.

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Solo play that’s safe even if you fall

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Kids falling down is common, and even though we know that, every time we see our child hurt and crying, we can’t help wanting to do something to help.

So let’s add a play activity that teaches foot control.

Fix pool noodles that have been cut in half lengthwise onto a wire grid.

Place a short piece of pool noodle under the wire grid to make a seesaw, then set a marble in the center groove of the pool noodle.

Have your child place their feet on both ends of the wire grid and move the seesaw left and right, controlling it so the rolling marble doesn’t fall off.

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