Winter. It’s cold. The kids are home for the holidays or for snow days. You might be at a loss to figure out what to do with them that is affordable and fun. Here we have a list of 50 ideas of free or cheap activities for kids. Some of these activities are outdoors, so please keep our tips for keeping safe outside in mind.
- Snowball fight
- Make snow angels
- Make a snowman
- Go sledding
- Make snow paintings with bottles filled with colored water.
- Take a walk outside
- Have a scavenger hunt (indoors or outdoors)
- Read a story
- Perform a play
- Write a story
- Make a pillow fort
- Do a jigsaw puzzle
- Play board games
- Learn a new craft (like knitting, crocheting, or sewing)
- Bake and decorate cookies
- Write letters to friends and family
- Take pictures and videos to share online or make an album
- Have a dance party
- Pick out toys to donate
- Do extra chores for some extra allowance
- Do simple home science experiments
- Make a pet rock
- Tell each other jokes
- Have a talent show
- Make homemade gifts
- Learn a new dance
- Learn a new cooking skill
- Make paper snowflakes
- Sing karaoke
- Visit the library
- Check out local free events at museums
- Make and play homemade musical instruments
- Give each other manicures and pedicures
- Finger paint with shaving cream
- Build and play on an obstacle course (indoors or outdoors)
- Make snow ice cream
- Have a movie marathon
- Color in coloring books or color sheets printed off the internet
- Have a campout in the living room
- Have an indoor picnic
- Have a tea party
- Brainstorm and do a random act of kindness (for example: clean off the car or shovel the sidewalk of a neighbor)
- Make a snowglobe
- Make a list of things you’re thankful for
- Make homemade hot chocolate
- Drive around town to look at holiday lights and decorations
- Plan an imaginary (or real) vacation
- Take a trip down memory lane looking at old pictures
- Deep clean a room in your house and turn it into a competition
- Make holiday cards
These are just a few of the free or cheap activities you can do with your family in the cold winter months. With some creativity, you can keep your kids entertained even when it’s snowing and cold.
By Bethanie Ryan
