There are no two ways around it; this winter weather is here for a while. Unfortunately, weather like this means everyone’s stuck inside, sometimes for days on end. And that means you’ve got kids or pets, or both, to entertain all day long. The last thing you want during a massive weather pattern like this is to be unprepared when it comes to entertainment. Fortunately, I’ve got you covered with this great list of excellent ways to keep your wee ones and furry friends entertained for hours.
Bring the Playground to You
There’s not much that little kids like more than slides. But a slide in bad weather is not only impractical but pretty dangerous. Fortunately, this adorable Little Tikes slide gives you the chance to bring the playground indoors. And it even lights up to add an extra layer of fun!
Bring Basketball Indoors
Basketball doesn’t have to be just an outdoor sport, though I do advise getting this only if you’ve got quite a bit of room to accommodate it. This is a great way to keep your active kids interested and excited while also keeping them safe and warm and inside away from the elements.
A Kid’s Favorite Game
I can’t tell you how many times I played this game as a kid. I would be minding my own business and suddenly my little brother would shout “the floor is lava!” And then all heck broke loose. Now, it’s a board game with rules so you can keep it a little tamer than normal.
Trampolines Aren’t Just for the Backyard
Kids sure do love a good trampoline, but it’s ill-advised to allow them to go out and jump during frigid weather. Grab them this amazing indoor trampoline instead! It lets them jump until they just can’t jump no more, but inside where it’s warm and safe and you can keep an eye on them.
Like Darts, but Safer
Darts aren’t really the safest of games for your kiddos, but it’s a pretty fun game! And why shouldn’t kids be able to play? Get them this awesome, safe game that’s just like darts except without the flying, stabbing ends attached. They can play and play and you can relax knowing they’re not going to stab an eye out.
Take Your Kiddos to Space
I nannied professionally for many years, and one of the things I learned when I was a nanny is that kids can be happy with just about anything. This space tent entertained one of my kids for years. He loved crawling in with his books or his snacks or just by himself and blasting off into space.
Hours of Fun
This might look like a mess waiting to happen, but it’s actually the opposite! Play foam is an amazing invention that’s sort of like Play-Doh, but it doesn’t crust up or dry out in the same way. And it looks like individual beads, but it all sticks tightly together while being played with.
Make Edible Creepy Crawlers
If you have an abundance of time on your hands, you can take a minute and make something with your kiddos. This cool gummy kit allows you to make some tasty creepy crawlies that your kids are going to love making just as much as they’ll love playing with after.
Embrace the Educational
If you’re looking for more educational fun, look no further! This has all you need to enjoy a day of science-y fun. This comes with all you need for tons of experiments (materials and instructions) so you can play with your kids, keep them entertained, and educate them all at once.
Play Fetch Without Actually Playing Fetch
Just because you’re dealing with awful weather doesn’t mean you don’t still have to work, one of the downsides of work-from-home policies. Unfortunately, pets don’t understand that. They just see you at home and want to play. Grab them this automatic ball thrower so they can have fun even while your hands are otherwise occupied.
Indoor Excercise for Your Pooch
Your pup will love chasing this all around the house. Or they might just stare at it for an hour first like mine did. Who knows? Either way, they’ll be entertained and able to exercise while you spend time with the kids or work or make dinner or whatever it is you need to get done.
Mine for Treasure
Gemstones can be fun? Who knew? This kit is a really interesting and fun way to get your kids involved in something slightly educational that also keeps their hands occupied. You can spend the day digging out these gems with them and then they’ve got cool gems to keep afterward!
Your Pups Are Going to Love This
Give your animals something to run after. This is marketed as a toy for dogs, but it seems like the sort of thing your cats might like, too. This is great for getting them to exercise and be active even when they’re stuck indoors and can’t get out and run around.
A Cat’s Best Friend
There’s nothing quite as entertaining as watching my cats chase this thing. Their eyes get a little crossed and their tails twitch and they get so excited. It was probably the best purchase we made all year. Sure, we love using one of those dangling stick toys, but this saves our arm muscles.
Turn it Into a Camp In
You don’t have to let this stormy weather be something that makes everyone sad or upset. Instead, you could turn it into an adventure by putting up this indoor tent. It’s designed to work in your living room or other spaces so your kids can camp “out,” from the safety of the house.
You’ve Got a Little Something on Your Face
Everyone’s always talking about this game. It’s a high-anxiety sort of game, but that anxiety creates a whole lot of fun. You don’t want to be the one that gets whipped cream in the face, but it’s worth the risk when you get to see your little brother get it instead.
Get Slimy
Slime is, unfortunately for most parents, still incredibly popular. I had high hopes that its popularity would fade. But here we are. Put a smile on your kid’s face, give them something to do with their hands, and give them hours of entertainment with this slime-making kit. You can do it!
You Finally Have the Time to Play
If you get snowed in, you’ve got the time to get through an entire Monopoly game for what’s probably the first time in years. It’s a great chance to enjoy a full game while everyone’s trapped in the same place and can’t run away or pitch too big of a fit.
Turn Any Surface Into a Screen
A great and fun way to enjoy the winter weather is by setting up a projector like this on your biggest and emptiest wall. It turns your boring wall into a movie screen that everyone can gather around and enjoy. It’s like going to the movies with the family, but far far cheaper.
If You’ve Got Some Extra Space
If you’ve got a big, empty space in your house, this is the perfect idea for young kids! It could be an unfinished basement or a huge living room, or even the dining room with your table pushed out of the way. Whatever room you choose, set this up and let your kids go crazy!
Enjoy a Campfire Favorite
S’mores are one of my favorite outdoor activities during the cold weather, but they’re not the sort of thing you can really make happen without fire. Fortunately, this awesome s’more kit lets you make them, flame-free and indoors for the whole family to enjoy together during the gross weather.
Don’t Waste Paper
These little tablets are one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen! The kids I used to nanny loved using them and I loved letting them use them because there were no more marker messes and it cut down on the amount of paper they blew through in a day.