Stay at Home Winter Activities 

Winter can be a magical time for children, but it can also present unique challenges, especially when it becomes too chilly to play outside and you are stuck inside your home. Our pediatric occupational therapists are amazing at developing engaging activities that can help kids develop their fine motor skills, sensory processing, and social interactions, all while having fun in the winter months!

1. Bring the Snow Inside

Grab a bucket and fill it with as much snow as possible, and don’t forget the towels too. Use your imagination to create mini igloos or snow forts, or use spoons and shovels to scoop the snow into bowls or cups. It is also fun to add in your favorite toys and find them!

2. Winter Crafts

Here are three different ways to make snowflakes, all of which can help with fine motor and visual motor skills, direction following, and frustration tolerance. 
  • Salt and glue snowflakes. Draw your snowflake design onto a piece of paper, then trace it using glue (a glue bottle works best), then sprinkle salt over the glue. Once it has dried, you can paint it or leave it. 
  • Paper snowflakes. Fold your paper then use scissors to cut out a design, open it up and look at what you made!
  • Massive snowflakes. If you are up for the challenge, check out this step by step tutorial on how to make this intricate design.

3. Get in the Kitchen

Cook or bake something new, this is a great way to work on executive functioning skills, fine motor skills, hand strength, and so much more. 
  • Cookies make a wonderful multi-step baking task, where you can also test your patience while they are in the oven and waiting to cool before decorating. 
  • Making something new is also a great opportunity for children to get creative and adventurous. It is the perfect way to try something as a family that has new or out of the ordinary flavors or spices in them. 
  • See our Instagram page (@gbtherapy) for our “Snack of the Week” and other food ideas!

4. Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are an amazing way to work on problem solving skills, visual motor skills, and team work. You can use pieces of a puzzle, favorite toys, or different drawings, then hide them throughout your living space.
 Here are some ways to switch up this activity: 
  • Use a timer and see if they can beat their time each trial
  • Provide written directions and clues- use symbols and pictures for younger children 
  • Take turns finding the hidden items

5. Go outside for short bursts of time

The Scandinavians say “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes”.  Some days the kids will just need to go outside and burn off some energy!  On those days, bundle them off, send them outside, and have them practice some of the developmental movement skills found on our Developmental Bingo(TM) cards. There are cards for ages infants to 5 years old. Let them practice new skills and enjoy marking off the cards when they come inside to warm up. 
Winter offers a bunch of opportunities for engaging occupational therapy activities that are not only beneficial but also fun for kids. By incorporating movement, creativity, and sensory play into these activities, you can help children build essential skills while enjoying the magic of the winter season. 

Sources

  • American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Indoor Activities for Kids. Retrieved from [AAP Website]
  • Smith, J. (2023). Benefits of Winter Crafts. Journal of Child Development, 45(3), 123-135.