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Too Cold To Play Outside? 23 Indoor Ideas That’ll Save Your Holiday Season
Ah, winter break – that magical time when cabin fever meets sugar highs and parents everywhere start googling "how many hours until school starts again?" But before you cave and let screens become the default babysitter, we've got 23 indoor activities that'll transform your home from a cooped-up chaos zone into an adventure playground. These aren't just random time-fillers; they're sanity-saving missions disguised as fun, carefully chosen to prevent both boredom meltdowns and parent burnout. From games that'll have kids giggling uncontrollably to creative projects that might actually buy you enough time to drink your coffee while it's hot, we're about to make "I'm bored" the least-used phrase of the season.
Think of these activities as your winter survival toolkit, minus the need for snow pants or endless rounds of "put your mittens back on." Whether you're dealing with sugar-fueled energy spikes or trying to prevent sibling warfare, these indoor adventures are designed to keep little hands busy and young minds engaged. Some might make a mess (sorry in advance), others might reveal hidden talents, but all of them beat watching kids bounce off the walls while asking "what can I do?" for the millionth time.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Set Upi Indoor Winter Olympics With This Super Fun And Inflatable Reindeer Ring Toss
Review: "Oh my gosh, this game is so much fun for kids and adults! Easy to inflate and anyone can play." - Connie K
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Review: "We definitely have bought into the Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza Game and this is so fun! We played it for at least 2 hours before putting it up on our first day!" - Sarah Henderson
#3
End Off Your Annual Rewatching Of The Grinch Movie With This Fun Pin The Heart On The Grinch Game
Review: "This was so much fun for our family to play together around Christmas time and then watch the movie together. Easy and fun. We got creative by also doing other spots other than his heart to keep the game going." - Amazon Customer
#4
It Is So Cold Outside, The Yeti Decided To Even Come Indoors And Join The Fun! Yeti In My Spaghetti Is Fun For Young And Old On Christmas Day
Review: "Simple game, great for younger kids - but even our 11-year-old enjoyed it. Less agonizing for Mom and Dad to have to play, too, which is a solid selling feature in itself." - Chris
#5
There Is No End In Sight To The Fun That You Will Be Having With This Christmas Game Pack That Comes With 12 Amazing Games!
Review: "There were tons of ideas in this box of games. Instructions were clear and items were of great quality which I didn't expect. Great for kids to adults!" - Kathy P.
#6
Get Signals Crossed This Christmas With The Crossed Signals Game, A Hilarious And Interactive Party Game For Family And Friends
Review: "This game was a hoot. Not only do you look like someone has just put a tray of ice cubes down your shirt while you're playing it - but age has NOTHING to do with proficiency. And it doesn't take three days to finish like some board games." - mariann seyfferth
#7
Rock On With Creativity This Christmas With The Rock Painting Set, A Colorful And Calming Activity That Lets Kids Express Themselves
Review: "I purchased these for my kids to do a craft with painting on glass and these worked very well. I followed the instructions and they worked great. We have gone on to paint on multiple surfaces including pumpkins and I have had no problems." - Kindle Customer
#8
Cover The Table In Creativity With The Giant Coloring Tablecloth, A Fun Way To Keep Little Hands Busy While The Christmas Ham Cooks
Review: "This was a worthwhile purchase. The paper was thick enough to hold up for the event (and Save to use again next year, since it wasn’t all filled in when we were done) and crayons worked well on it. The lines of the artwork are crisp. Price is good. All around, thumbs up!" - J S
Each activity has been battle-tested in the arena of childhood restlessness. From competitive games that channel that endless energy into actual fun to creative projects that spark imagination, these aren't just distractions – they're gateways to genuine engagement that might just make you forget about the weather outside. And the best part? Most of these activities actually encourage interaction beyond asking Alexa to tell another joke.
#9
Hatch A Holiday Friend With The Tamagotchi Pix, A Digital Pet To Care For And Play With While It's Freezing Outiside
Review: "Like my other Tamagotchi Pix. This product is built sturdy and I haven’t had any problems so far. I love this product. It’s so cute and well made. For a device with movable features such as the camera shutter button I think it is very sturdy and has the potential to be around for many years." - Kindle Customer
#10
Whisk Away Boredom With The Tiny Baking With 20 Delicious Tiny Recipes, A Miniature Cookbook And Baking Set That Lets Kids Get Creative In The Kitchen
Review: "This is so cute and really works! My 10 year old daughter had the best time! We made cupcakes and they were actually really good! Lots of fun recipes included!" - Linz
#11
This Kids Selfie Camera Is A Kid-Friendly Camera That Lets Little Ones Capture Their Own Holiday Memories
Review: "This has been such a hit with my 3 and 4 year olds and keeps them entertained for hours. It operates JUST like an adult digital camera but has some fun added filters like a mustache, kids face and different boarder designs. Is a small size that allows them to operate it with ease. My kids walk around the house taking pictures of random things and then love to come and show me. Battery life is great and it seems pretty indestructible!" - Above and Abode
#12
Chop, Slice, And Dice With Confidence Using The Kid Safe Kitchen Knife Set, A Safe And Fun Way For Little Chefs To Help With Holiday Prep
Review: "Super purchase here for a 3 year old. He is making his own bento lunches :) Cool to cook together and I feel completely relax with my little buddy having his own knives <3" - Reina555
#13
Let Them Dribble Away The Holiday Zoomies With A Game Of Glow-In-The-Dark Hoops Using The Glow In The Dark Basketball
Review: "I was very impressed with this purchase. The product was exactly as described and looks like the picture 100%. The basketball bounces just like a normal basketball but the exciting part is it lights up so super bright you can see it from miles away. This was a gift for my son friend and he liked it so much I had to purchase another for him. Perfect for playing night time ball. I would highly recommend this product and would recommend over any glow in the dark basketball there is out there this is way better and brighter." - Brianna
#14
Mold A Masterpiece Of Fun With The Play-Doh Bulk Handout, A Bulk Pack Of Creativity To Keep Kids Busy And Inspired
Review: "These are the perfect little play doughs! Not sticky, super easy to open and close, and the containers are durable. None of them were dried out and there are so many different colors! Easy to clean up. Perfect for party favors or stalking stuffers! Easy to use to make fun little sculptures or anything you want!" - CodyT
#15
Level Up The Fun This Holiday With The Pixicade Mobile Game Maker, A Creative Tool That Lets Kids Build And Play Their Own Mobile Games
Review: "My 7 year old nephew absolutely loved it. Perfect gift to keep him engaged and fosters his creativity. I'd like to note that he has ADD and it's hard to find things that can allow him these freedoms." - Krystle
#16
Slide Into Fun While Its Frosty Outside With The Cardboard Indoor Slide, A Playful And Compact Way To Bring The Excitement Of Outdoor Play Indoors
Review: "The kids love it. I buy them a new one at Christmas and it lasts the year. Easy to fold and I store it between my washer and dryer or behind the couch when not in use. Great for small apartments and indoor play." - DD
The real magic of these indoor ideas lies in their ability to transform potentially chaotic moments into memorable experiences. Whether they're cracking open geodes like mini scientists or turning dinner into a yeti-hunting expedition, these activities prove that being stuck inside doesn't have to feel like a punishment. In fact, some of these might just become new family traditions – the kind that make kids secretly hope for another snow day.
#17
Build A Galaxy Of Fun With The LEGO Star Wars Set, A Brick-Tastic Way To Keep Kids Engaged And Entertained
Review: "The LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker's X-Wing Fighter. Building Toy Set is an absolute hit! It sparked my nephew's passion for LEGO and Star Wars. With iconic elements from the classic trilogy movies and easy-to-follow instructions, it provided hours of building fun and imaginative play. Perfect for kids of all ages," - PEDRO U CERVANTES
#18
Get Stuck On Fun With The Unicorn Slime Kit, A Squishy, Stretchy, And Sparkly Way To Keep Kids Entertained
Review: "My kids love this slime kit, there are enough ingredients to make different kinds of slime, they love the fish bowl pebbles and the snow powder and they made the jelly cube slime for me! love the container to store all the slime they have made. Worth buying it!!" - J.D.
#19
Blast Off The Indoor Boredom With The Rechargeable Laser Tag, A High-Energy Game For Kids To Play And Burn Off Holiday Energy
Review: "As parents, it’s pretty difficult to compete with video games. But this set is a GAME CHANGER. We have spent hours outside playing laser tag. Everyone from my 4 year old nephew to my 40 year old husband has enjoyed it. It’s easy to setup and get started asap. The charge port is very portable and you really just need a decent amount of space to run around. Highly recommend!!" - Jessica C.
#20
Toss In Some Fun With The Portable Cornhole Set, A Compact And Convenient Way To Play A Classic Outdoor Safely Indoors
Review: "If your family enjoys a good game of cornhole, this is a great set! We got immediate use out of it. It was easy to store, with a nice carrying case, and solid quality. I have no doubt it will see a ton of use for our family!" - the_curiousgeorges
#21
Crack Open The Fun This Holiday With The National Geographic Break Open Geodes, A Geological Adventure That Lets Kids Discover Hidden Treasures
Review: "Got this for my 7 and 14 year old and they had so much fun busting them open and seeing the beautiful geodes inside. They passed one out to each of the family bc there were so many included. Highly recommend! Well worth the price." - Erin Osborn McDaniel
#22
Gather 'Round The Table With The Catan Board Game, A Classic Game Of Strategy And Adventure For The Whole Family
Review: "A bit of skill and a bit of luck makes this game perfect for a variety of ages. My smart 9 year old granddaughter was able to pick up on the rules. The little bit of luck evens the playing field for adults and upper elementary students. Give yourself a game or two to get use to the rules and strategies and you’ll have winning game nights!" - Rene
Review: "These are amazing for creative sensory play! I love that the foam is non-toxic and that it doesn't stick to everything. My kids have left it out numerous times and it never, ever dries out. And the little pet pals are just the cutest. The kids were so excited to see which ones they got and literally spent hours playing with them and the foam. These would be perfect for stocking stuffers!" - NYMommy
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