On days when your kids are not going to the child care center, you’re probably excited to spend time with them. But when it’s cold or raining outside, young children tend to bounce off the walls while being stuck indoors. In that case, it’s better to come up with an activity that allows them to use their cooped-up energy in creative ways.

3 Suggestions for Indoor Activities for Young Children

1. Bring Winter Inside

Instead of freezing outside, you can recreate your own winter indoors. For example, you can build an indoor snowman using cotton balls and glue. Another idea is to make a snowmobile your kids can drive around the living room. All you need is a box your child can set in and some crayons or stickers to let them decorate it.

2. Build a Fort

Kids don’t need expensive toys to have fun. The simplest ideas are often the best, which is why fort building continues to be such a hit. To build a fort, you can use blankets and cushions and drape them over the couch and a few chairs. Your preschooler can bring toys and books into their new home and maybe even have a picnic there.

3. Get Busy in the Kitchen

Who says child care has to be about playing? Preschoolers love to imitate adults and enjoy helping you cook and bake in the kitchen. If you’re making cookies or muffins, that’s even better. Your child can help you roll out the cookie dough, stamp out shapes, and decorate the delicious treats with sprinkles. When they’re done eating, you can even encourage them to help you clean up. They’ll probably enjoy it scrubbing dishes and drying them just like a grownup.

Do you need child care during the week? Give the teachers at Pumpkin Preschool a call at (203) 255-7505 to schedule a tour of the day care center in Fairfield, CT. Their providers care for children as young as six weeks old, but they also have an after-school program. For more information about their age-based curriculum, visit their website.