Winter is here and that means frigid temperatures, snowy weather, and shorter days. As the temperatures continue to drop, families spend more time indoors. Kids become restless and impatient looking for activities to keep them busy.

Here are a few fun activities to keep kids busy all winter long.

Family Game Night

How often does your family have game nights? Some families might have them often while others not so much. Family game nights can create lasting memories for kids bringing family members together on those cold winter nights. If game nights are something your family enjoys, try doing them all year round.

Have A Movie Night

Growing up, I remember Sundays being slow. We would get our chores done and my mom would start a pot of chili on the stove while my dad started a fire in the fireplace. My family and I would all gather around the TV and watch movies for the afternoon.

If family movie night is something you enjoy, try switching it up and creating themed movie nights. Try creating themed snacks or even dinner around the movie you plan to watch.

Try Baking

Whether it’s cookies for the holidays or a special treat just for fun, getting kids involved in the kitchen is a great way for them to start developing skills. While you might experience a few extra messes along the way, it’s a great way to keep kids busy when it’s cold out.

Make Play Dough

Growing up I remember getting to make play dough with my grandma, it was one of my favorite activities. We had a box full of cookie cutters and rolling pins to create all kinds of shapes and designs. Here is one quick and easy recipe from Michigan State University Extension that consistently yields good results:

Ingredients

• 1 cup of flour
• 1 cup of water
• 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
• 1/3 cup of salt
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• Food coloring as desired

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms lumps and eventually comes together into a ball. When the dough is no longer wet, pour out onto a heat tolerant surface and allow it to cool enough to handle. Knead for a few minutes. Recipe can be doubled, tripled, etc., as needed.

Don’t forget to check out free activities that might be going on in your area like the local theater, library, and community events. While the temperatures have dropped there are still plenty of free activities happening all winter long.

Kaitlynn Tonn is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or tonn.13@osu.edu
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This article was previously published in The Daily Record.