[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!
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- [Part 2] Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for December
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- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
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- [Elementary School] Indoor Games and Recreational Activities Recommended for Upper Primary Grades
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- [List] A roundup of games and recreational activities kids love
[For Kids] Recommended Indoor Games and Recreational Activities for Winter Break (31–40)
Solo play that’s safe even if you fall
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.
Exercise play you can enjoy at home
Even when you can’t play outside, you still want to move your body! In times like that, let’s enjoy some active play at home.
For infants and toddlers, try baby massage or touch-and-play activities.
For preschoolers through elementary school kids, how about a spy game with a treasure hunt or a round of table tennis on the table? For the spy game, setting up obstacles around the room and preparing a treasure map can really liven things up.
For table tennis, you can substitute household items: a tissue box for the net, a pot lid for the paddle, and a super ball for the ball.
Fun for elementary school kids! 5 indoor activities
Indoor recreational activities that you can enjoy for short periods of time—such as on rainy days—are perfect for exercising both the mind and body, since the rules and movements vary by game.
Plus, enjoying each game by working together as a team helps energize communication among participants.
Competing with friends and enjoying games also leads to discussing strategies and experiencing the emotions of winning and losing.
Experiencing fun, joy, and even frustration through physical activity is recommended for fostering a positive mindset.
Animal Shogi
For those who find shogi difficult because there are many pieces and complex rules, I recommend “Dobutsu Shogi” (Animal Shogi).
The goal is the same—capture the king—but there are only eight pieces in total.
The board is small too, so games finish quickly.
Try playing it with adults versus children!
5 super fun activities
We’ll be introducing five activities: “Irregular Play,” “Swirly Tail Chase,” “Receive & Catch,” “Ball Rolling Play,” and “Cross Rubber Jump Tail Chase.” They mainly use a ball—putting it into a basket, catching it, and combining movements like hopscotch and forward rolls to get the body moving.
In “Swirly Tail Chase,” attach a jump rope instead of a string and run away from the tagger, changing directions between clockwise and counterclockwise.
For “Cross Rubber Jump Tail Chase,” stretch elastic bands across the room and escape from the tagger while jumping over the bands.
[For Kids] Indoor Activities and Recreations Recommended for Winter Break (41–50)
Indoor snowball fight
When you think of snowball fights, you probably imagine a treat for snowy days—especially for those in regions where it rarely snows and you can count on one hand how many times you’ve had one.
On the other hand, in snowy regions, some people say snow is so commonplace they’re tired of it and don’t really do snowball fights anymore (lol).
Perceptions vary by region, but there’s a way to enjoy snowball fights at home: indoor snowball fights.
You might wonder, how do you do that indoors? Well, they sell fabric snowballs you can use inside.
With these, you can have a snowball fight anytime—even in summer!
Traditional playground games techniques
Kendama and spinning tops may seem difficult at first, but when you keep trying and finally succeed, you’ll feel a real sense of “I did it!” As you practice, you steadily develop fine finger movements, body balance, and hand-eye timing—that’s a key benefit.
Focusing while you play also nurtures perseverance and a never-give-up attitude.
If you practice and show off your tricks with friends or family, their “That’s awesome!” will give you courage and confidence.
These toys help both mind and body grow while having fun, so give them a try!
