Winter Activities For Kids

Winter activities for kids don't need to involve sitting in front of the TV or playing on the computer. There are plenty of ways to keep your children occupied when the weather is cold or rainy. Here are some great recipes and kids craft ideas to get you started.

Dough Ornaments

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water

Mix all thoroughly. Add 1 tablespoon of water if dough is dry. Knead 5 minutes. Shape. Poke a small paper clip in back of ornaments. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Smooth rough edges with wet knife before baking. Bake at 250 degrees for 2 hours. Paint with acrylic paints or model paint. Coat with clear shellac.

Ideas: Braid dough and make into wreath. Decorate with ribbon and dried flowers. Make into holiday ornaments; snowman, santa, etc. Use utensils, garlic press, fork, knives, toothpicks to make designs.

Sand Sculpture Clay

2 cups sand
1 cup water
1 cup cornstarch

Mix in pot over low heat until thickened. Let cool and mold into shapes. Decorate with shells. Dry. Can be painted.

Finger Paint

1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
Cold water
1/2 cup cornstarch
4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
Food colouring

Stir gelatin into 1/3 cup cold water. Set aside. In a saucepan stir cornstarch into 2 1/2 cups cold water until dissolve. Bring to a simmer and stir until fully thickened. Remove from heat and blend in gelatin m women's jackets online ixture. Add dishwashing liquid. Cool and add food coloring as desired. Store in Tupperware at room temperature.

Wrapping Paper

Brown bag
Paper
Scissors
Sponges
Non-toxic paint
Shallow container

Cut sponges into a variety of shapes. Pour paint into shallow container. Dip sponges in paint and decorate paper bag or paper.

Fun Fans

Cardboard
Crayons or magic markers
Scissors
Transparent tape
Typing or notebook paper

Place your barefoot or hand on piece of cardboard and trace. Cut out shape and color both sides. Roll a sheet of paper into a tight tube to make a handle. Tape tube closed, tape one end to the fan. Your ready to keep cool.

Picture Puzzle

Magazine picture or map or favourite picture
Glue
Cardboard
Scissors

Glue picture on cardboard. Cut the picture into puzzle pieces. If state map cut along state lines. Now try to put puzzle together.

Macaroni Jewellery

Large macaroni
Yarn or string

Dip large macaroni into various food colours for a few seconds. Lay macaroni on paper towel until dry. Cut yarn long enough for necklace or bracelet. Wrap end of yarn with tape. String macaroni. Tie the yarn ends together.

Sewing Cards

Lightweight cardboard - from new shirts, cereal boxes, poster board
Coloured paper or colourful magazine pictures
Yarn or coloured shoelaces

Cut pieces of cardboard into six inch squares. Cover them with colored paper or pictures. Punch holes about an inch apart around the edges. Show the children how to lace in and out of the holes with the yarn or shoelaces.

Stationary or Cards

Plain paper
Sponge
Acrylic paint(s)
Marking pen

Take a piece of plain paper and fold in half. With the folded part at the top, it looks like a note card. Take the sponge and dip it into the acrylic paint which is in a saucer. Design on the front and also on the back of an envelope. Then take a very thin marking pen and write really fancy "Happy Birthday" or whatever the occasion is.

Children love to make cards and it's also an easy way to have a card in a hurry!

Bubble Bath

1/2 cup liquid hand soap
1 cup epsom salt
5 drops glycerin
Few drops of food coloring
Few drops of fragrance

Mix well, shake right before using. Pour into bathtub while water is running and enjoy.

So stock up on supplies and get creative. Winter activities for kids can be a lot of fun, especially if you are also involved.