Chilly Days and Indoor Play

January always feels like a long month to us. So, when the weather out there is really frightful, how do you keep the little ones active indoors? Physical activity is still important to their health when it's not sunny out. Here are just a few ideas:

• Create an obstacle course with pillows and other safe objects.

• Play the music loud and have a dance contest.

• Build a fort.

• Hand out instruments (aka pots and pans) and have a parade around the house.

What are your secrets for getting some of their energy out during these cold winter months?

Thanks to Healthy Child for many of the ideas!

Image via Music Connx.

Comments (3)

I second the fort idea--we were packing to move last week and my daughter had a blast climbing all over and inside the boxes. We also leaned the couch cushion on some boxes and made a cool slide. It entertained her for a solid hour!

posted by goonie on January 18th 2008 at 7:11am
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- collapsible nylon tunnels
- flashlight hide-and-seek (with wind-up flashlights): turn out all the other house lights
- up and down the stairs, if you have them

posted by twiga on January 18th 2008 at 2:25pm
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We use a lot of painters tape. It's great for making race tracks, balance beams, or just letting the kids have a roll to tape around. It comes up so easily w/o marks.

We also have "dance party" pulling up 80's videos on Youtube and dancing around trying to copy some of the moves (Toni Basil anyone?)

posted by poppyb on January 19th 2008 at 4:24am
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