Being stuck at home doesn’t mean we have to be bored. While we brace ourselves for this cold winter, why not use this time for some fun indoor activities the whole family can participate in together?! Create unforgettable memories with your kiddos by trying one of the following ideas and be sure to keep an eye out for our next blog, which will share some indoor activities for outside of the home.
MOVIE NIGHT
Try a full-fledged movie night! Transform your home into your personal movie theatre by choosing a film the kids will love and making a snack bar filled with their favorite treats! Who doesn’t love buttered popcorn and those iconic movie theater candy boxes?!
If you want to make the night extra special, try preparing something from the movie! Enjoy some homemade pizza with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, chocolate fondue with Anna from Frozen, noodle soup, and dumplings with Po from Kung Fu Panda, or try your hand at French cuisine with Ratatouille as your guide.
Grab some cozy blankets, build your best living room fort, and make sure to dim the lights for that special movie theatre feel!
FAMILY GAME NIGHT
Who remembers the good ol’ days when we all had a collection of board games tucked away at home? Well, we do, and we are emphatically team game night and ready for Candy Land, Battleship, Trivial Pursuit, and Mouse Trap to make their big comebacks!
Board games are a great way to engage with children of all ages and can appeal to many different personalities and developmental levels. While we love some nostalgia, there are also tons of new, family-friendly games for you to enjoy. Check out the links below for some ideas:
Classic
https://www.rd.com/list/classic-board-games/
New
https://www.parents.com/best-family-board-games-8382737
Game night is a great way to bond with loved ones and you can always host guests for a friendly challenge.
BAKE THE DAY AWAY
Spend the day in the kitchen and cook an item for each meal. This can be a great way to get creative with children and try new hands-on activities. Who knows, maybe you have an undiscovered chef in your very own home!
Spend the morning baking banana bread or blueberry muffins, and as the day goes on, try some other dishes that excite your children, such as chicken nachos or French fries! Who needs McDonalds?!
For a sweet treat, have the whole family participate in a cupcake decorating contest. This can be especially great for younger kids who may not be old enough to bake yet or anyone with a competitive spirit! Try setting a theme, such as their favorite place to play like the beach or the park or maybe a favorite movie – and you can never go wrong with sprinkles!
While fun, cooking is also a great way to engage with children on a more educational level. Younger children can practice their tactile skills (like cracking eggs and decorating cupcakes) and learn important things such as patience and responsibility. Including children is a great way to introduce them to new foods to expand their palettes. This can also be used as a learning opportunity for older children if you want them to take in other cultures while trying your hand at some popular international dishes.
BEDROOM MAKEOVER
Another great indoor option is to do a complete bedroom makeover! Cleaning and personalizing a bedroom helps to improve sleep, and increases productivity and self-expression.
Try painting an accent wall using their favorite color; using a lighter/softer shade can help both brighten up and enlarge your space. You can also rearrange or add more furniture. A new shelf to display their favorite books and toys can help organize a messy room. Smaller changes can make big improvements: a cute lamp or a rug can make all the difference in the world! While you’re rearranging, use that time to declutter and get rid of trash and unused items – a clean room leads to a clean mind and you may just find a few items that can be donated! Be sure to get a fun treat afterward for a job well done!
Allowing children and teens to make these changes also gives them a sense of autonomy and pride- having a personalized space to call your own is wonderful!
Make the most of your time indoors with your family this winter season, and remember to come back for Part 2 of this series with fun indoor activities outside of the home. If you are looking for someone to lend a hand with your kiddos and help lead some fun and educational activities, email us at info@nannyauthority.com today!