With another weekend ahead, here's a short list of activities for you to do indoors or close to home. Be sure to check the Macaroni Kid calendar daily for local events and remember to call ahead for closures or updates.
If you're tired of hearing "I'm booorrrred!" ... well, we have ideas for you. Here are seven easy ideas to keep your family busy and entertained at home during this time off school:
1. Camp in the living room
Drag out the blankets and pillows and set up your sleeping quarters right in the living room. If you have a Christmas tree, keep the lights on all night! And because there may be some uncertainty about how much actual sleeping will happen, deem the following day "Pajama Day" — to include lots of movies, books, snacks, and naps!
2. Have a snowball fight ... indoors
If there's snow on the ground, bundle up and head outside. But even if there's not enough of the white stuff outside? Catapult your way to an indoor 'snowball' fight with this fun STEM craft!
3. Take a winter walk
Who says that it has to be warm for a hike around an area park? Explore winter in your community as you stroll neighborhoods or trails.
4. Make chores fun
Set up an indoor relay race to get chores done! Start a race to get the laundry out of the dryer or see who can put their toys or clothes away the fastest. You can make a game out of anything... and get chores done at the same time!
5. Build a fort
Have a bunch of boxes left over from the holidays? Build a fort together and see how creative you can get! Don't forget to decorate with markers.
6. Create a sensory bin
Kids will be entertained for hours with a fun sensory bin. Check out our ideas:
- How to Create a Winter Wonderland Sensory Bin
- How to Make a Rainbow Tactile Sensory Bin
- Your Kids Will Love Digging Into These Edible Sensory Bins
7. Hold a scavenger hunt
Set up a scavenger hunt around the house for little kids. If your kids are older, have them set up hunts for each other. They'll be running all over the house finding (and planting) clues for hours of entertainment.
Get outside: see the venues below from some winter fun.
ICE SKATING & SNOW FUN!
Mt. Southington, CT
Mohawk Mountain, NY
Chelsea Piers, Stamford
Longshore Ice Rink, Westport
Dorothy Hamill Rink, Greenwich
Ice Theatre of New York Pop-Up City Skate Concerts at Wollman Rink
(January 12, February 2 & March 2, 2023)
INDOOR FUN
(Check out After School & Vacation Camps too)
Maritime Aquarium
Stepping Stones
Westport Historical Society
Chelsea Piers
SONO Field House
Peak Performance Sports
IST Sports, Norwalk
Sportsplex of Fairfield
Sky Zone, Norwalk
RPM Raceway, Stamford
Bowtie Cinemas
SONO Mall
Local Libraries & YMCAs
Discovery Museum & Planetarium Bridgeport
Nutmeg Bowl, Fairfield
BowlMor, Norwalk
PLANES, TRAINS, ROCKETS and AUTOMOBILES
CT Science Center, Hartford
New England Aviation Museum
NY Hall of Science
Intrepid Museum, NYC
NATURE
Although it's cold, explore winter in your community as you stroll different neighborhoods, beaches or trails. Check out the Audobon Society in Wilton, Greenwich, Mianus River Park, Devil’s Den in Weston, or Earthplace. Also check out Bronx Zoo, Beardsley Zoo, Stamford Museum & Nature Center, and New Canaan Nature Center.
Have any other ideas and plans? Please share them in the comments below!
Have a great winter break!
