Three Fun Winter Activities for Children

Winter can be a tough time for games and activities for kids, especially if you live in a region where the weather is cold or snowy. Below find some unique activities you can try with your kids this winter.

Beach Day
You may not be able to go to the beach, but your certainly can have the experience. Get your towels, bathing suits and beach balls and turn your basement or family room into the beach. Play paddle ball, if you have the room, or throw a frisbee. Make milkshakes and hot-dogs for lunch and eat it on your towel like a picnic. If you have a raft or blow up for the water, use those to lay on and read a book. Build a sand castle but use blocks or books or anything you can stack. Take pictures of all of your activities like you would at the actual beach.

Volunteering for Kids
A great way to spend some time, and have a great learning experience, is to volunteer. Not only could you offer to rake your neighbors leaves, there are also many places in the community you live in, such as an animal shelter or a senior home that will let children (and adults) volunteer. It's a great way to get out of the house, learn how to help others and feel rewarded. Below is a list of volunteer websites for kids:
KidsTurnCentral
KidsClubs
CompassionateKids

Winter Olympics
If you live in an area with snow, you could have a winter Olympics. Grab your trash bags to get inside and do the slide luge in your back yard. If you have skis, try a race across the yard with or without poles. Have a "who can the build a snowman the fastest" contest. How about the "snowball throw" - who can throw it the farthest. There's the "snow roll," if you have a hill, have a race who can roll down it and get to the bottom first. You can even buy cute little prizes or medals at a dollar store to give out at the end of the day.
(If you do not get a lot of snow where you live, you can do the same thing with games that don't require snow.)