[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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- [List] A roundup of games and recreational activities kids love
[For Kids] Indoor Activities and Recreations Recommended for Winter Break (41–50)
Ball games you can play alone
Here are five ball games you can play by yourself! First: kick the ball yourself, run, and pass it through your legs.
You’ll use your head, too, as you think about how hard to kick.
Second: toss the ball up and pass it through your arms—moving your body is the key.
Third: balance one ball on top of another and keep it still.
Fourth: hold the ball above your head, bend your body backward, pass it through your legs, and catch it—great for flexibility.
Finally, a game using a hula hoop: while the hoop is spinning, move the ball.
You don’t need to throw or kick hard to have fun with any of these, so give them a try!
Make and Play! Solo Balloon Volleyball
Balloon Volleyball is a game kids can play on their own using a balloon and a rubber band.
It’s fun indoors not only for elementary schoolers but also for younger children.
For example, by connecting balloons with a rubber band, kids can tap or return incoming balloons gently, which helps them control their strength and play safely.
Watching the balloon float softly and chasing it slowly also naturally nurtures focus and a sense of timing.
You can even try kicking it like in soccer—simple tweaks make it a game you can enjoy over and over.
It’s perfect for indoor play, so give it a try!
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!
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!
Get the Christmas presents back!
Let’s take back the presents stolen by Black Santa! Here are some ideas for “Get Your Christmas Presents Back!” Christmas gifts are special treasures that children eagerly look forward to, right? If those precious treasures were stolen by Black Santa, the kids would put all their effort into solving the mysteries.
Try incorporating a heart-pounding treasure hunt! Don’t let Black Santa’s mischief win—let’s get those presents back!
A recreational activity incorporating parkour
Let’s work on improving children’s athletic abilities! Here are some ideas for activities that incorporate parkour.
Parkour is a culture originating in France; by integrating movements like running, jumping, and climbing, it trains the mind and body and aims for artistic movement.
In recent years, we’ve been seeing it more often on social media, haven’t we? This time, let’s create a course using boxes and mats made of soft materials and try parkour.
It’s a wonderful idea that helps children understand weight transfer and how to use their bodies.
indoor hockey game
Kids are guaranteed to be hooked! Here’s an indoor hockey game idea.
Hockey, which was a big hit at the Olympics, is played with sticks and a hockey ball.
This time, let’s try an indoor version you can enjoy at home.
All you need are marker cones.
Set up two red and two blue marker cones facing each other as goals, then use another color of marker cone as the “ball.” Slide it along the floor and aim for the goal—game on!