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25 Low-Prep Winter Activities for Kids at Home

By Nancy ~

 

What We’re Using This Winter (Amazon Favorites)
⭐ Snowflake Art Kit – My kids LOVE this one (Amazon)
📚 Snow-Themed Kids Book (Amazon)
🎨 Winter Stampers Set (Amazon)
❄️ Winter Wonderland Sensory Bin (Amazon)
🎲 Winter Learning Game (Amazon)

Winter is here, and if you’re anything like me, you know how quickly the “boredom battle” can begin with kids stuck inside. Snow, freezing temperatures, and shorter days can make it hard to keep little ones entertained and engaged. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Today, I’m sharing 25 low-prep winter activities for kids at home that are fun, educational, and perfect for keeping your sanity intact.

These activities are designed to be easy to set up, require minimal materials, and keep kids busy for hours while still being meaningful. Whether you’re a homeschooling parent, working from home, or just trying to survive the winter break, these ideas will help you create a winter full of laughter, creativity, and learning.

Why Low-Prep Winter Activities Matter

Before we dive in, let me share why I’m such a fan of low-prep activities. Winter is busy enough—between holiday preparations, work, and everyday responsibilities, the last thing anyone wants is an activity that takes hours to set up or involves a ton of complicated materials. Low-prep activities mean:

  • Less stress for you: Minimal setup, easy cleanup.

  • More engagement for kids: Activities start quickly, so kids stay interested.

  • Opportunities for learning: Even simple activities can teach counting, colors, motor skills, and problem-solving.

  • Screen-free fun: Perfect for those long winter days when everyone has already had enough screen time.

25 Low-Prep Winter Activities for Kids at Home

I’ve broken this list down into categories so you can quickly find activities that fit your day—arts & crafts, indoor movement, sensory play, winter science, and cozy quiet time.

Arts & Crafts Activities

  1. Paper Snowflakes
    Classic, simple, and beautiful. Grab a few sheets of white paper, fold, cut, and watch your kids’ unique snowflakes take shape. Bonus: hang them on windows for instant winter décor.

  2. DIY Snow Globes
    Use mason jars, glitter, water, and small figurines (even LEGO pieces work!). This activity sparks imagination and can double as a keepsake.

  3. Salt Dough Ornaments
    Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, and 1/2 cup water to create simple salt dough. Kids can shape, bake, and paint their own winter ornaments.

  4. Cotton Ball Snowmen
    All you need is cotton balls, glue, markers, and construction paper. Kids love layering the cotton to create fluffy snowmen!

  5. Winter Painting with Ice
    Freeze water mixed with a little food coloring in ice cube trays with popsicle sticks. Kids can “paint” with colorful ice cubes—mesmerizing and cool for little hands.

Indoor Movement & Active Play

  1. Indoor Snowball Toss
    Use soft balls, balled-up socks, or crumpled paper. Create targets with buckets or laundry baskets and have a snowball toss competition.

  2. Winter Obstacle Course
    Set up a simple course with chairs, pillows, and blankets. Kids crawl under, jump over, and climb around—great for burning energy during long winter days.

  3. Freeze Dance with Winter Music
    Play winter-themed songs and let kids dance. When the music stops, everyone freezes. Instant giggles guaranteed.

  4. Snowy Scavenger Hunt
    Hide white objects or winter-themed items around the house for a fun indoor scavenger hunt. Bonus: make it educational by asking kids to find colors, shapes, or letters.

  5. Animal Movement Game
    Call out winter animals and have kids move like them: hop like a rabbit, waddle like a penguin, or slither like a snake. Fun + exercise!

Sensory Play & Hands-On Fun

  1. Snow Dough
    Mix 8 cups flour with 1 cup baby oil to create soft, moldable “snow.” Kids can sculpt, build, and explore textures without melting mess.

  2. Frozen Treasure Hunt
    Freeze small toys in ice cube trays. Give kids salt, spoons, and water spray bottles to excavate their treasures. It’s like a winter archaeology dig!

  3. Winter Sensory Bin
    Fill a bin with cotton balls, fake snow, pinecones, and small figurines. Add cups, spoons, and tongs for extra fine motor fun.

  4. DIY Snow Slime
    Mix white glue, shaving cream, and baking soda for a fluffy, snowy slime. Optional: add glitter or small winter figurines.

  5. Hot Chocolate Playdough
    Mix cocoa powder into brown playdough for a cozy winter sensory experience that smells like chocolate.

Winter Science Experiments

  1. Ice Melting Race
    Freeze ice cubes in muffin tins. Let kids explore different ways to melt them: salt, warm water, or even their hands. Science + fun!

  2. Snowstorm in a Jar
    Fill a jar with water, add a little shaving cream, and drop in food coloring to create a “snowstorm” effect. Kids love watching the colors mix and swirl.

  3. Make Your Own Snow
    Mix baking soda and water to create snow-like powder. Optional: add glitter for sparkle. Kids can scoop, mold, and explore this wintry substance.

  4. Winter Color Mixing
    Use food coloring in cups of water. Give kids droppers to mix colors and watch new colors form—perfect for little scientists.

  5. Frozen Bubble Fun
    Blow bubbles outside on very cold days (if you have a safe outdoor space). Watch them freeze in mid-air—magical for kids of all ages.

Cozy & Quiet Winter Activities

  1. Winter Storytime
    Snuggle up with cozy blankets and read winter-themed picture books. Favorites include The Snowy Day and Bear Snores On.

  2. Winter Journaling or Drawing
    Give kids a notebook and crayons or markers to draw winter scenes or write stories about snowy adventures.

  3. DIY Puzzle Making
    Let kids draw a winter scene on cardstock, cut it into simple pieces, and challenge them to put it back together.

  4. Winter Movie Marathon
    Pick a few family-friendly winter movies, make some popcorn, and enjoy a cozy day indoors. Bonus points for hot chocolate!

  5. Build a Cozy Reading Nook
    Transform a corner with blankets, pillows, and fairy lights. Encourage kids to pick a winter-themed book and enjoy quiet reading time.

Tips for Making Winter Fun Stress-Free

I’ve learned over the years that winter doesn’t have to mean boredom or endless screen time. Here are some quick tips:

  • Rotate activities: Pick a few activities each week to keep things fresh.

  • Use what you have: No need for fancy supplies—many of these activities use household items.

  • Let kids lead: Allowing kids to guide play sparks creativity and keeps them engaged longer.

  • Combine learning and fun: Many low-prep activities naturally teach skills like counting, colors, and fine motor development.

  • Keep expectations realistic: Winter days are long; some days, even 10–15 minutes of focused fun counts as a win.

Winter Activity Favorites from Our Home

I have to admit, my kids absolutely love DIY snow globes, paper snowflakes, and frozen treasure hunts. They can spend hours immersed in these activities while I grab a few minutes of peace to sip my coffee. And honestly, that’s the goal: fun for them, sanity for us.

Even my 12-year-old gets into sensory play sometimes, which I never expected. And the best part? Many of these activities encourage problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork, all while keeping them active indoors.

Final Thoughts

Winter can be tricky for parents and caregivers. The cold, the early nights, and the desire to stay cozy indoors can sometimes make kids stir-crazy. But with low-prep winter activities, you can turn those long days into opportunities for creativity, learning, and family fun.

I hope this list gives you plenty of inspiration to fill your winter days with joyful, engaging, and simple activities. Remember, it doesn’t have to be complicated—sometimes the simplest ideas create the most magical memories.

Which of these winter activities will you try first? I’d love to hear how it goes and any variations you discover! Leave a comment below and share your winter fun tips with our community. And if you found this post helpful, don’t forget to share it with other parents who might need a little winter inspiration.

Let’s make this winter one full of laughter, learning, and cozy memories! ❄️ 

Want More Winter Ideas?

Related Posts You Might Enjoy:

Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.

~With love,
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️

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