An Indoor Winter Activities Guide
The cold winter air has arrived and seems here to stay in South Africa, as much as we try to ignore it. June brings not only the cold but also the school holidays which, as most parents know, tend to drag on. Starting on the 27th of June and with school days only resuming on the 21st of July, these holidays are three weeks long. For most working parents, that feels about two weeks too long.
The first week is spent going mad, the kids are staying up past bedtimes, eating far too much junk food, and seeing friends. However, by weeks two and three, the friends go away with family, the Netflix shows get boring and their screen time seems to be sky high. On top of that, your work may not seem to care about the little ones running around.
By the middle of week two, you are left tired, wondering what to do with the kids indoors while they wreck your living room.
Indoor activities for kids at home
With outdoor places like parks or beaches not to be an option due to weather.
We have provided a list of things to do when cooped up inside with your kids to help you gain a bit of peace of mind and let their imaginations run free:
1. Build a pillow fort with a puzzle inside!
Bust out the hot chocolate, blankets, and pillows to create a winter wonderland that keeps the kids occupied. Bring out a puzzle or maybe even a movie if they are behaving well! Try to generate some whimsy and joy right from your living room.
2. Indoor drawing or painting: let their creativity run free
Put down some old newspaper, get the scrap paper out, and start drawing. Ask the kids to draw their favorite animals or even try to sketch what they see in the living room. Not only does drawing help children with their fine motor skills, but it also aids memory retention.
3. Indoor Scavenger hunts
Try putting together a scavenger hunt. Use small items, like hidden stuffed animals or toy cars, accompanied by riddles and photos. Take a zoomed-in photo of an area in your house where an object is hidden and ask the kids to find it. They will love exploring the house as they hunt for the little critters.
The stress free solution
Now, while these tips might make you feel like a “super-parent,” they can also leave you exhausted and your house a mess. An alternative would be to visit a be.UP Park near you. From the moment you step through our doors, the whole family is taken care of. The booking process is simple and can be done online or in-house at our Cresta, Gateway or Waterfront play park.
Working remotely? And kids need a release? Our be.Epic pass allows for unlimited play for your child for just R215! You can get your work done, while they get their cabin fever released.
Your kids can run wild and expend their energy on our many activities, including our aerial maze, trampoline zone, and so much more. You won’t even have to lift a finger, while you watch from our cafe with coffee in hand or even come and join them while they play!
The result is the same: the kids spend quality time together and get their energy out indoors, but the key difference is that your house remains intact. You remain the super-parent with none of the mess and all of the fun.
We offer so many opportunities and attractions for your child that, unlike a pillow fort which might get boring after a few uses, these experiences will never get old.
