Just like snowflakes can add up to a big pile, so can minutes of fun and play add up to big learning. This month, no matter what the weather, here are some activities your child can do at home or kids can do in a care center. These are child-tested and family-approved.
Print off the calendar below and put it on the fridge or bulletin board. Adapt as needed or use them to inspire different kinds of play. This is hands-on play or should that be mittens-on? 
Only 10 days left in January! But there’s plenty of time for more January winter learn and play activities for kids. And to celebrate all the learning and play, what better treat than ice cream sundaes?
You can add berries and sliced fruit to your ice cream. A wonderful story to read is Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems. Elephant has quite a problem wondering about sharing that turns into a sad situation. Fortunately, Piggy arrives with a solution.
And for seconds, isn’t February 1st Ice Cream For Breakfast Day?
The calendar still says winter so here is another week of January winter play activities for kids. No matter if it’s warm or cold where you live, you and your kids can play the Warm or Cold Hide and Find game.
Did you ever play this game? You can’t play it by yourself so find a family member or friend to play with you. It starts when one person hides an object. The other person takes a few steps in one direction. If it’s the right direction to find the hidden object the person who hid it says “Warmer.” If it’s the wrong way to go, the hider says “Colder,” and the person who is trying to find the object has to go a different way. The seeker keeps moving according to the warmer or colder clues given by the hider.
This game can be played by two or more people of almost any age. Sometimes, the hider adds even more hints like, “Really warm” or “Burning hot.” This signals being very close. Once the object is found, players can switch giving someone else a turn to be the hider.
This game can be played indoors on days when everyone is staying inside the house. On better weather days, play it outside. Enjoy the rest of theJanuary winter play activities for kids.
Here is another week of January fun and learning play activities for kids. Not everywhere has a winter season but snow seems magical for kids–even to read about or play with. Ice cubes in a bowl is sort of winter on a very small scale. Just melting ice is very sensory and appealing. Remember–some snowmen … Continue reading More January Fun and Learning Play Activities for Kids
Here is a week of learn and play fun activities to start the new year! Check back for more ideas…
What to do on the shortest day of the year? Night starts in the afternoon so there’s plenty of time for this activity: longest night stargazing for kids. It’s something to anticipate all day long, but no worries because the day part seems so short. When it’s dark enough, dress for the weather and go … Continue reading Longest Night Stargazing for Kids – May Help Fear of the Dark
How often have you made paper snowflakes? The magic of making snowflakes out of ordinary paper never gets old, for kids or grownups. To make a paper snowflake, very light tissue paper works best for little hands. Start with a square and fold it in half and then half again. If the paper is thin … Continue reading Paper Makes A Snowflake
If it’s too cold to make snowballs or there’s not enough snow, kids can still make some with white play dough for winter fun inside the house. Of course, the balls won’t be for throwing but hands stay much warmer. You can mix up a batch using your favorite recipe. The proportions in the video … Continue reading White Play Dough for Inside Snowball Fun
Some days in the winter getting outside is just not an option but inside days can get very long. Time to get creative and have fun. Here a few ideas to ward off cabin fever: Beach party: Blow up a beach ball, spread out the beach towels, and stretch out. Instead of making a castle … Continue reading Winter Fun and Play Activities on Inside Days for Kids
One of the best ways to warm up a cold winter day is with some laughter and these winter jokes for kids will brighten up any grey. Q. Why did the snowman cross the road? A. He was on a roll. Q. How does a snowman get to work? A. By icicle. Q. Where does a … Continue reading Why Did the Snowman Cross the Road – Winter Jokes for Kids