Winter Play Spaces - Kid Activities for when You Need to Get Out of the House

The winter doldrums have officially set in. Your kids are stir-crazy with cabin fever, and you are too! You need some fun, indoor entertainment – but you also need to get out of the house. We’ve got you covered. From totally free to can cost a few bucks, you should find plenty of ways to entertain the kids here.

1.  Aquariums – Kids love checking out all the animals at aquariums. They’ll not only have loads of fun, but they’ll also learn about the variety of life in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Some aquariums even have touch tanks where kids can pet or feed some of the animals. No aquarium near you? You may get by with a trip to a pet store, Bass Pro, or Walmart to look at fish and other animals that may be on display.

2. Children’s Museums – There are some fantastic children’s museums with lots of activities (and learning opportunities!) for kids. Most children’s museums have interactive exhibits so kids can play, climb, and explore. Of course traditional museums are great options as well and can expose your kids to new experiences.

3. Home Depot – Did you know Home Depots offer free children’s workshops? They’re usually the first Saturday morning of each month. Kids get to build a project to take home – and they get their own personalized Home Depot orange apron! Although the workshops are free, registration may be required. Check with your local Home Depot.
4. Indoor Parks – From trampoline parks to rock climbing to Ninja courses, there are a number of inside parks where kids can run, jump, climb, and play.
 
5. Gymnastics / Tumbling – Some gymnastics or tumbling studios have free-play hours for kids not enrolled in classes. Check studios in your area for age requirements, supervision, cost, etc.

6. Skating Rinks – Yep, skating rinks are making a comeback. Some areas have indoor ice-skating rinks for an extra challenge.  And if the weather’s not too bad, you can always check out outdoor ice skating rinks as well. Even some places in the South set up temporary ice-skating rinks with public skate hours.

7. Restaurant Play Spaces – Can we all admit to taking our kids to Chick-Fil-A on a rainy day just so they can enjoy the play space? (Nuggets are just a bonus!) Several fast food chains have indoor play spaces for your kids to enjoy (and wifi if you need to get a few things done online). Don’t want to eat fast food for lunch? Plan for an afternoon treat of ice-cream or a milkshake while you’re there.

8. Libraries / Book Stores – Need a quieter alternative? Libraries and even book stores have story time and sometimes craft times for kids. Just check your local libraries/stores for times and content.
9. Malls – If your town has a local mall, you might find a free, indoor play space there. Several malls have play areas where kids can run and climb. Some malls also have trains or carousels that kids can ride, usually for a small fee. Some malls have turned empty store spaces into indoor parks or indoor putt-putt courses, but these places generally charge admission.

10. Indoor Pools – If your child loves the water, check your local YMCA or gym to see if there is an indoor pool and if there is open swim time for members or non-members. Swimming is a great way to burn off energy and get your mind off the winter blues.
 
And if all else fails… remember there’s nothing wrong – in fact there are a lot of benefits to – playing outdoors in the cold. Experts say playing outside when it’s cold can help to boost a child’s immune system, vitamin D levels, and mood in addition to providing opportunities to promote problem solving and cognitive thinking skills and burn energy. Just make sure your child is dressed appropriately and monitor him or her for any signs of hypothermia. Experts say look at the wind chill in addition to the temperature – generally, if the wind chill is 32 degrees or warmer, it’s safe for your child to play outside. If the wind chill is below 32, make sure your child comes in every 20-30 minutes to warm up. And if the wind chill is below 15, keep your child indoors to play.
 
What are your kids’ favorite winter activities? Do you have other ideas for great indoor spaces to share? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
 
At One by One, our mission is to mentor and educate new moms to parent well. We encourage moms to use appropriate games and play to help their kids develop on track and to recognize if and when intervention might be needed. If you’d like to learn more about requesting a mentor or becoming a mentor, visit us here.