Are you not the type who necessarily enjoys going out with your little one? Do you simply love spending time at home? If so, you may already know that keeping a day at home entertaining isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes, you need to get creative to make it fun. To turn staying indoors into cosy family moments, we’ve got some fantastic ideas for you.
Simple crafting ideas
Crafting together can be a lovely bonding experience. The crafts themselves can even add a bit of charm to your home. Here are five fun craft ideas that require minimal materials:
1. Salt dough
Making salt dough starts with simple mixing. Take a bowl and combine 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of water, and 2 cups of flour. This will create a pliable dough perfect for shaping. Let your child mould figures to their heart's content, then bake them for 1 to 3 hours (depending on thickness) at 100°C in the oven. Once cooled, they can be painted for a personalised touch.
Press a hole into the top of the figures before baking, so they can be hung up – perhaps on a wall, a door handle, or even on the Christmas tree during the holidays.
2. White beards
Few characters captivate preschoolers as much as Saint Nicholas or Father Christmas. Bring these beloved figures to life with some pencil or crayon art. Add coloured paper to enhance the drawings, and finish them off with cotton wool to give them fluffy white beards.
Coloured paper is incredibly versatile. Even simple drawings can be transformed with a few bright cut-outs – think red skirts for figures or lush green crowns for trees.
3. Snow globes
This craft idea has the added bonus of being fun to enjoy even after it’s made. Here’s how:
- Take a few sheets of paper – coloured ones work well. Punch small holes to create "snowflakes."
- Select a small figurine, such as a toy from a Kinder Surprise.
- Glue the figurine onto the underside of the lid of a sturdy jar or transparent plastic pot.
- Fill the jar with confetti, then securely screw on the lid.
- Shake it and enjoy the snowfall!
Toddlers especially love confetti. Let them run their hands through it or toss it around for some sensory play. Just be prepared for some cleaning up afterward!
4. Postcards
Making personalised cards to send or deliver is both creative and thoughtful. Use sturdy paper in soft tones to provide a lovely contrast for painted details.
A timeless idea is creating hand or foot imprints with paint. Spread the paint in a flat container, and let your child press their hand or foot into it before stamping it onto the paper. Add a sweet quote or message to complete the card.
Turn an old t-shirt or shirt into a crafting apron for your child. If you don’t have old clothing, buy a simple apron to keep clothes clean while letting creativity flow freely.
5. Magic drawings
Few things are more rewarding than a child’s proud smile after creating something special. Magic drawings are a surefire way to achieve this.
Let your child colour a sheet of paper with wax crayons in various hues. Then, cover the entire page with black poster paint. Once dry, use a sharp object to scratch designs into the black layer, revealing vibrant colours beneath.
Wax crayons are perfect for toddlers, as they are easier to use and more durable than pencils, which can break under pressure.
Working together in the kitchen
Cooking with your child is not only fun but also educational. Here are three simple yet enjoyable ideas for kitchen activities:
1. Shape biscuits
Choose an easy biscuit recipe and grab some fun baking moulds – stars, hearts, and Christmas trees are great options. Let your child cut out the shapes and, once baked, decorate them with icing and edible sprinkles.
2. Hot chocolate
Hot chocolate is a favourite among children. Prepare fresh hot chocolate together, and show your child how to make whipped cream. Let them add sprinkles to the cream for extra fun. Don’t forget to snap a photo with whipped cream on each other’s noses!
Hot drinks can be dangerous for small children, so serve the hot chocolate in a spill-proof cup to minimise accidents.
3. Mini pizzas
Using a small plastic bowl, help your child cut mini pizza bases from pre-made dough. Spread tomato passata for a red base or mascarpone with olive oil for a white one.
Arrange toppings in small bowls and let your child decorate their pizzas like a mini chef.
Cosy indoor games
Playing indoors can be wonderfully cosy – and you often don’t need to buy anything extra.
1. Build a camp together
All you need is a light blanket or sheet and a safe corner between furniture. Let your child take charge of their “camp” while you assist with set-up.
Remove sharp objects from the play area and use a cushion as a soft buffer if needed.
2. Turn bath time into play time
Bath time is a relaxing moment for many toddlers and preschoolers. But you can also turn bath time into a really fun activity. Stock the bathroom with bath toys. This way your child can have great fun in the water and you can actually play together with your little one.
Do you like to let your child play alone sometimes? Water pencils and sticky letters will keep your little one busy for a long time.
3. Soft ball games
Playing indoors with the ball sounds like asking for trouble. So put all breakable items aside and choose a soft ball.
Indoor romps can become a lot of fun this way. Think of the traditional carnival game where you stack empty canning jars in rows and try to knock over as many cans as possible. Or think of a bowling game with empty plastic bottles.
Finally, we like to give another very simple and connecting game for you and your child. Sit on the ground at a small distance with your legs open. Roll the ball at each other and aim well inside each other's legs. It's even more fun if there are more of you. Then the ball can come from several sides.
