While the term “snow day” might be music to your kids’ ears, an unexpected day off from the regular routine often poses a challenge for you – the parent, trying to keep your children active and engaged. Here are some unique, fun and health-focused indoor activities to try with your school-age kids to transform your home into a winter wonderland, next time you’re all “snowed in.”
Turn your living room into an obstacle course.
Try using pillows, chairs, and blankets to create tunnels, hurdles and balance beams. This activity not only keeps kids physically active but also helps improve their coordination and problem-solving skills. You can even time their runs to add a competitive element. And, if you want a calmer setting, there’s nothing wrong with a good, old-fashioned fort!
Create a yoga studio from the comfort of home.
Introduce your kids to the calming practice of yoga, with a snowy twist. Clear a space in your living room and lay down some yoga mats (or rugs) and guide them through a fun yoga session. Stretching exercises like yoga can help children improve their flexibility, balance and concentration – and it’s a great way to start or end a snow day.
Goodbye kitchen, hello science lab.
Kids love science, right? Try turning your kitchen into a mini science lab with simple and safe experiments using ordinary household items. Or, if it’s snack time, you could make homemade ice cream using just a few ingredients. For extreme healthiness, you could even explore the properties of different foods by making healthy smoothies and discussing the nutritional benefits of each ingredient.
Create a household scavenger hunt.
Plan an indoor scavenger hunt with a health twist. Create a list of items for your kids to find around the house. You might also include tasks like doing a certain number of jumping jacks or stretches at each checkpoint. You’re sure to keep the kids moving and thinking, and it can be tailored to fit any age group.
Go from “home sweet home” to total dance party.
Nothing beats a good dance party to get everyone active and moving. Create a playlist of your kids’ favorite songs and let them dance their hearts out. Dancing is a fantastic way to get some cardiovascular exercise, and it can be a lot of fun for the whole family. You can even turn it into a dance-off competition to see who has the best moves.
These are just a few ways to help keep the kids warm, safe and occupied during their next snow day. Remember, it’s okay to get creative and maybe see what interests your kids the most. They’ll likely be happy with anything—after all, they’re home from school!
