For children, winter is filled with exciting things, like the holiday season and the long-anticipated winter break. While your children might be content to sit at home and just watch television or play video games, as a parent, you also want to make their winter enriching and educational. 

In today’s post, we’re here with some enriching winter activities that will keep your children away from the television — and maybe help them learn something new! 

When winter break is over, or if you need child care during the break, work with our team at Just For Kids in Chicago. 

Enriching Activities to Try This Winter

Obstacle Course

If you and your family are spending a lot of time at home this winter, mix it up with an indoor obstacle course! Move around the chairs, add some pillows, see how well your child does. Want to up the ante? The floor is lava! 

Visit a Museum

Take a trip to a museum for a change of scenery. While you’re there, encourage your children to learn one thing about something new! 

If you’re looking for other ways to get your children out of the house, incorporate a weekly visit to the library. When your child finishes their book, they can check out another! 

Spend Some Time in the Kitchen

Teach your children how to bake or cook their favorite. This teaches them independence and appreciation for where their food comes from.

Arts & Crafts

If you want to keep your child busy — and away from the television — try some fun arts and crafts projects. Try one of these winter-themed crafts to fill your home with a little bit of holiday cheer: 

• Paper snowflakes: There are endless snowflake designs your child can make — and they make the perfect winter decoration for their room. When they’re done, have them tape their creations to the wall or help hang them from the ceiling. 
• Paper roll penguins or snowmen: Have your children create some cute little winter friends. 
• Snowflake ornaments: These are fun to make and will add a beautiful memory to your Christmas tree for years to come! 
• Pinecone snow owls: If your children love their paper roll penguins and snowmen, have them make another wintery friend for their collection. 

Indoor Snowball Fight!

Have you ever planned an indoor snowball fight? Nothing says winter like a snowball fight. Crumple up some white paper, ball some white socks together, or make your own snowballs with fabric or cotton balls! Then it’s time for the snowball fight. 

Find Child Care You Can Trust in Chicago

We hope that these different ideas can help you give your children something fun and educational to do this winter. At Just For Kids in Chicago, we offer different child care services, including our before and after school program, no school programs, and preschool. Contact us to learn more about our child care center, or to enroll your children today! 

For more ideas of ways to keep your children active, engaged, and learning, read through some of our past blog posts: 

• Boredom and Your Children
• Keeping Kids Healthy This School Year
• 5 Attributes of Quality Preschool
• The Importance of Enrichment for Your Children