The saying, “There’s no such thing as bad weather,” is well-intentioned in promoting outdoor play even when the temperatures get chilly, but it misses some nuance! While it’s true that playing in winter weather is generally safe—and that cold air itself will not cause illness—there are many valid reasons why getting your children outside during the winter can just be harder.
You may struggle to enjoy being outdoors in winter weather. It’s totally okay to admit this.
There really can be hazardous conditions that no amount of clothing will make safe.
Winter is respiratory season, and being outside while currently sick can make it harder to recover.
So, if you’re looking for indoor activities to help your child release big energy, you’re not alone. Further, needing to support more indoor play during wintry months is nothing to feel guilty about! While it’s good to continue getting fresh air, there will be times you just need to hunker down.
Here are 10 ways to foster gross motor play while you otherwise need to hibernate:
1. Indoor obstacle course
A classic! Use furniture, pillows, and toys to create a fun obstacle course. Kids can crawl under tables, jump over cushions, or balance on a line of tape on the floor. Have a creative setup to share with the rest of Joy parents? Tag us on Instagram @joyparentingclub.
2. Freeze dance
Put on some energetic music and have a dance party. You can even play games like Freeze Dance, where kids freeze when the music stops.
3. Balloon volleyball
Blow up a balloon and play a game of volleyball. Use a piece of string or tape as the net, and try to keep the balloon off the ground.
4. House chores.
Moving laundry hampers, rolling towels, setting a table, window washing, or carrying groceries are wonderful ways to help kids exert “maximum effort.” So much movement and effort is involved in everyday chores.
5. Yoga for kids
Follow along with a kids' yoga video. It’s a great way to stretch, build strength, and practice mindfulness.
6. Simon says
Play an active game of Simon Says. Use commands that get kids moving, like jumping jacks, running in place, or spinning around.
7. Indoor sports
Set up a mini basketball hoop or play indoor soccer with a soft ball. Be sure to clear the area of breakables first! You can also set up a bowling alley using empty water bottles as pins and a soft ball as the bowling ball. See who can knock down the most pins.
8. Parachute games
If you have a parachute (or a large sheet), play games like making waves, tossing balls on top, or playing “mushroom” where everyone sits under it.
9. Hopscotch
Who said this had to be done with chalk? Use masking tape to create an indoor hopscotch grid on the floor. Kids can jump through the squares, counting as they go.
10. Gross motor prompts
If you have the resources, it can help to consider investing in gross motor toys – not just fine motor toys. The following items can work great for indoor play:
*While tempting, indoor trampolines are not recommended in early childhood due to the risk of injury to growing bones. Trampolines and monkey bars are among the top reasons for broken bones and ER trips!