The Early Childhood leadership team shares their favorite activities to combat winter boredom

The weather is gloomy, you’re exhausted, and you’re still finding glitter in places it definitely doesn’t belong. Sound familiar? Here are some low-effort, fun, indoor activities to keep your kids engaged and help everyone beat the winter blues. 

From Kim Barrett, Director of Early Childhood Education:

I love a beautiful snowfall, but this stretch of cold weather has certainly been a challenge. When my own children were younger, and it was simply too cold to head outside, we learned to embrace those indoor days as an opportunity for creativity, connection, and even a little mess. I would love to share a few simple, cozy activities our family returned to again and again when the cold kept us indoors.

Playdough Fun 

One of my children’s favorite indoor activities was making homemade playdough. There is something fun about measuring, mixing, and watching the dough come together. Once it was ready, we would bring out cookie cutters, small animal figures, rolling pins, buttons, or even kitchen tools to press and stamp patterns. Sometimes we added a drop of peppermint or lavender extract for scent, or a bit of food coloring to create different batches and experiment with color mixing.

Playdough ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup salt
• 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
• Food coloring, optional 

Stir together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large pot. Next, add the water and oil. If you’re only making one color, add the color now as well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the dough has thickened and begins to form into a ball. Remove from heat and put onto wax paper. Allow to cool slightly and then knead until smooth. If you’re adding colors after, divide the dough into balls. Start with about 5 drops of color and add more to brighten it. Once it’s all mixed, you’re ready to PLAY.

Indoor Picnic

One of our favorite ways to brighten a very cold day was to have an indoor picnic. We would spread out a blanket in the living room, pack simple foods into containers, and even use a small basket to make it feel special. Sometimes we added a theme, such as breakfast for lunch or a “snowy day café,” and asked the kids to help prepare and serve the food.

You might invite your child to help wash fruit, spread cream cheese on bagels, slice bananas with a child-safe knife, or pour water into small cups. Adding a favorite stuffed animal as a “guest” or reading a book together after the picnic can make it feel like a true event. A change of setting, even within the same house, often brings renewed excitement and a lovely sense of connection.

Sensory Station

Another favorite on cold indoor days was setting up a simple sensory bin. These invitations are easy to prepare and can hold a child’s attention for a long stretch of focused, joyful work.

You might fill a shallow bin with dry rice, dried beans, kinetic sand, or even clean snow brought in from outside. Add measuring cups, spoons, funnels, small containers, or scoops to encourage pouring and transferring. For imaginative play, consider tucking in small animal figures, construction vehicles, or seasonal items such as pinecones or mini snowmen.

Water play can be just as engaging. A large bowl or plastic tub with warm water, a sponge, a small washcloth, a brush, and a towel can become a meaningful “washing station.” Children often love carefully washing plastic animals or baby dolls, rinsing them, and laying them out to dry. Adding a drop of dish soap for bubbles makes it even more inviting. Placing a towel underneath and inviting your child to help wipe up afterward builds independence and a sense of responsibility.

These simple sensory experiences support fine motor development, concentration, and imaginative play while offering calming, hands-on engagement during long indoor days.

From Kristin Black, Assistant Director of Early Childhood: 

I remember being home on snow days with my girls when they were little, thinking, I can’t do one more glitter craft—how do I keep them busy? That’s when I discovered painter’s tape: the unsung hero of indoor chaos. Yes, it sticks, but I promise it won’t ruin anything, and it’s far more forgiving than glitter!

Painter’s Tape Activities

Art-focused:

• Use tape as outlines on paper or a blank canvas, and fill in the sections with
  • Markers/Crayons
  • Paint
  • Bingo markers
  • Chalk

Gross motor:

• A hopscotch game that doesn’t end. Try building it from your kitchen to your bedroom!  
• A crooked balance beam that requires balance and focus. 
• Take advantage of a hallway. Make an obstacle course with tape to jump over and crawl underneath, "ninja-style."
• Make an entire city on the floor for toy cars. Add parking spots. Add traffic jams. Go crazy! 

Reading Activities

Winter is perfect for cozy, creative reading moments. Here are some fun reading activities that turn cold days into story-filled adventures.

1. Build a pillow or blanket fort and read inside with flashlights. Everything is instantly more magical in a fort.
2. Pair a winter-themed book with hot chocolate (or warm milk).
3. Make a reading nook. Add fairy lights, winter pillows, or stuffed animals and let kids design their own cozy reading corner.
4. After reading, retell the story using puppets, LEGO figures, or dolls. This is great for comprehension and creativity.
5. Book crafts! Create snowflakes, story characters, or scenes from the book using paper, cotton balls, or other supplies you have on hand.

Wishing you all a gentle and enjoyable winter season with your little ones. 

MEET THE WRITERS:

Kim Barrett is Kingsley's Director of Early Childhood. She has a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and over 20 years of experience in early childhood education and nonprofit leadership. She has an exceptional knowledge of early childhood development, strong supervisory skills to support the growth of teachers, and a successful history of fostering a positive school culture. 

Kristin Black is Kingsley's Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education. She holds multiple degrees in Special Education and Elementary Education with a focus on reading. She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood through middle school education, specializing in social-emotional learning and family engagement. She has worked in both independent and public schools, and is passionate about building strong partnerships and creating nurturing, enriching environments where children thrive.