Winter Indoor Activities for the Whole Family

With the cold weather rolling in, you may be feeling a bit antsy thinking about how to entertain your family this winter amidst the ongoing pandemic. Of course, there are plenty of ways to be safe and have fun outside during snowy days. But what about the days in which staying inside is the best option? Here is a list of indoor activities that will keep the adventurous spirit alive for the whole family:

1. Adventure Film Night:

There are times when we cannot go out on our own expeditions, so why not live vicariously through others via adventure films? Grab some popcorn and pick out a few core sports to celebrate on the screen!

Feature Films:

• The Dawn Wall - A film about loss, love, and dedication in which professional climber Tommy Caldwell pursues his dream of climbing The Dawn Wall on El Capitan within Yosemite National Park with his climbing partner, Kevin Jorgeson.
• Free Solo - Get sweaty palms as you watch Alex Honnold’s journey to free solo the 3,000ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
• 180° South - Jeff Johnson retraces the 1968 trip to Patagonia, previously undertaken by mountaineers, environmentalists, and businessmen Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins.
• Eddie the Eagle - Based on a true story, Eddie the Eagle captures the journey of Michael “Eddie” Edwards becoming an Olympic Ski Jumper.

Short Films:

• Where the Wild Things Play - A fantastic showcase of women pursuing their outdoor passions!
• You Won't Believe What This 11-Year-Old Can Do On Skis at Jackson Hole - Get excited for the ski season by watching the incredible skills of this 11-Year-Old in Jackson, Wyoming.
• Danny MacAskill’s Wee Day Out - A fun short film of a man’s “casual” day on his bike in Scotland.

2. Have a Camp-In:

Set up a fort (or a tent!) inside and have a camp in. Eat your favorite camping food, tell stories around the "campfire," and don’t forget the s’mores!

3. Yoga:

A wonderful, active activity for the whole family! Have a family member lead the rest in a yoga practice, or have give each person a chance to introduce a new posture. Be sure to check out our free and fun 20 minute yoga video for kids.

4. Music Night:

Music is an excellent way to bring the family together. You can put on a fun music night through a talent show, mini family concert, or a dance party. Add in some creativity by making “admission tickets” and a stage presentation.

5. Adventure Obstacle Course:

Bring the expedition inside! Using household items, create a “journey” to a destination, like a pile of pillows as the summit of a mountain or a fort as an unexplored cave. Add in some challenges such as a “river crossing” across the furniture, or avoiding stepping on the lava floor. Don't forget to plan ahead by packing what you'll need like a map, compass, extra layers for any "changes in weather" and food and water!

As much as we love spending family days outside, there are still many ways to celebrate the outdoors through creative, active, and/or mindful indoor activities. We’d love to hear from you about your favorite family activities on days inside!

Check out our other fun indoor and outdoor activity ideas for kids:

1. COVID-19 Resources for Parents
2. Best Free Outdoor Apps for Families
3. 8 Simple Mindfulness Activities for Kids
4. Nature Scavenger Hunt (With Free Printable)
5. 8 Summer Camp Games to Play to Keep the Camp Spirit Alive
6. Cooking Outdoors with Kids: (+ Recipes)

To get a jumpstart on your summer adventures, check out our awesome summer camps for Pre K - 12th graders where kids bike, hike, rock climb, and paddle in amazing outdoor locations.