How to Have Indoor Fun With Your Kids

In Alaska winter is long, cold, dry and windy. Even on sunny days you don't want to take your children outside for very long because of the dry wind. Keeping them occupied inside is your only option.

Children are active creatures and if they do not get to use their energy in a timely manner may become destructive. Having a young toddler inside all winter long has been a challenge for me but an eye opening experience. First, I have to keep this child entertained, and when he only has an attention span of an hour at most this can be difficult.

We start our day with some warm breakfast. This is his first chance to do something fun and helpful. Children love to help out and cooking is an awesome way to occupy their time. My son helps me make oatmeal in the mornings by measuring out the water to a specific line Ive drawn on one cup. He knows thats how much water he needs to make his breakfast. He also helps me crack eggs, even though its messy. Messy can be fun. After we eat we must clean up breakfast, he puts his dishes in the sink and while many children balk at doing chores we make this fun my seeing how much splash his bowl and plate make when going in the water. A little water is easy to clean up. A bath will often follow. Bubbles and bath crayons will keep a young child occupied for quite a while in the tub, My son will often stay for an hour and want warmer water to be added to his bath.

Music is a fun and entertaining way to occupy children until they are worn out. Put on some kid friendly music or dance music and get down with your child. Dance, sing silly songs, not only will your child love the attention but you will love playing down low with them. Often times dance time turns into a tickle fight in my house.

Arts and crafts are an easy way to occupy small children. We cut out shapes and colors, which are also used to teach. Make paper flowers, we utilize old toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, milk jugs and assorted containers to be used for craft making or into crafts. We have many a milk jug bird feeder around our house. Painting them is always a bonus, while another messy task, children love it. Let them use their creativity, allow finger painting, let the glue get messy, supplies can be found cheap. Occupying your child may not always be so easy.

Invest in a large book collection for your child, or use the library regularly. Children love to read, or be read too. I find if I'm tired of reading, i can ask my son to read me the story and he will come up with some amazing ideas. Another fun idea is make your own book. I let my child draw pictures, then i poke a few holes and string the pages together, and make up a story together for their book. My son loves showing his father his books at the end of the day. He is always so proud.

Can you remember back to the fun games you played in school? Things such as scavenger hunts and hide and seek can easily be played inside. Soft foam balls can be rolled around, or with a group you can play duck duck goose or telephone. You can make a fort out of a few blankets and some furniture. Or have an indoor picnic. You can even teach a young child to play charades. You can play a fishing game by hanging up a sheet and making a fishing pole, have your child toss their line over the sheet and with you behind the sheet "hook" a few rainy day games or toys. You can have a snowball fight with balloons, or if your head can take it, a balloon popping contest. Create a bowling alley out of nearly empty water bottles and knock them down with a ball. Or use window crayons to make pictures on windows. Then teach your child the importance of cleaning and allow them to sponge the windows off. Chances are they will see it as a great game.

So you see, even though it is cold outside and the winters are long there are many ideas that can be used to have fun inside. Letting your imagination be the guide and think of new ways to keep your kids entertained. Children love to play with you and benefit from the exposure of many different things. If you can, joining an indoor play group with age appropriate activities is also a good idea. Library's have story time, and when they are young children are often allowed into pools for free. There are many inexpensive ways to have fun with your children. Even when its snowing or raining outside.