Family Fun: Ideas for the Colder Months
Winter time can be hard for children and parents, when everyone is cooped up inside due to wet or cold weather. At this time of year activities outside of the home can be limited, so here are some creative, fun and sustainable winter activities for the family using recycled everyday items.
Homemade Rain Sticks
Make use of your left over cardboard tubes – such as paper towel!
- Tape up one end using masking tape.
- Fill with dry goods such as rice, small pasta, dried beans.
- Tape the second end and decorate with used wrapping paper, stickers, ribbons and any other decorative items you can find to recycle.
Indoor Bowling
A great way to reuse empty water and drinks bottles before they go out in the recycling!
- Line 6-10 empty drink bottles up at the end of your hall or living room.
- Place a line of masking tape at the starting line.
- Grab a medium-sized indoor ball and start bowling!
If you want to bring some healthy competition into the fun, keep score and give out trophies at the end.
Note: if you need to stabilise the water bottles or you have some older players and want to make the game more difficult, simply fill them up with some water. Don’t forget to screw the tops on tightly!
Touch and Feel Box
Young children love sensory play and this game provides some fun and challenge for all ages.
Cut a hole in one of the sides of a shoe box — large enough for children to fit their hands. If you want, get creative and have the children decorate the box.
When you’re ready to play, take the box into the other room put an item inside and then come back and have your children guess what it is.
They can ask questions about the item or you can offer clues. You can use simple objects such as a brush, a toy, a piece of fruit — anything safe to handle.
To make it competitive for older children, you can give a point to the first child to name the object.
Recreate Neil Armstrong’s Historic Moonwalk
For this fun and sustainable winter activity for the family you will need:
- Large thick sponges
- Large rubber bands
- Pillows and cushions
- Sheets
- A good imagination!
Place the pillows and cushions all over the floor. Cover them, and the rest of the floor, with the sheets. Use the rubber bands to attach the sponges to your child’s feet for space shoes. Now go for a walk over the moon’s surface! Play mood music for extra effect.