Bad weather outside is your opportunity for fun family activities and bonding time inside. When the weather outside is frightful, being stuck indoors can be delightful, if you embrace the time as an opportunity to engage in some fun family activities that benefit body and mind.

Try these imaginative ideas for some healthy family time, they all draw on items you probably have around your home.

Create an obstacle course.

Kids love playing these kind of games at the park, why not create one in your house. Be creative. Get them engaged. Another park outdoor toys that they can play with are guns with gel rounds.

Strike up the band.

We suggest creating musical instruments from household items. Use lids from pots and pans for cymbals, convert plastic containers into drums, or teach your child to play the spoons. Make this a healthy family activity by forming a parade. March fast and slow, with high knees and low knees, taking big steps and small steps.

Have a dance party.

Kids who get a lot of exercise are healthy kids. When you’re stuck indoors, get your kids moving by having a dress-up and dance party. When my daughter was younger, she loved to dress up. You can combine this with putting on fun dance music.

Take over the garage.

If your kids need to let out some excess energy, head to the garage for a family activity that everyone can participate in. Design a neighborhood for your kids to ride their tricycles in. Use sidewalk chalk to design a road. Draw stop signs, a parking lot, and a few buildings to make it more fun.

Create a “three hoop” circus.

While you’re in the garage or basement, try mastering the hula hoop, or find other creative uses for it. Place several hoops in a row. Children can jump or hop into each one. Or try using the hoop like a jump rope. Simply hold the hoop with two hands and step through it with both feet, then bring it above your head and down to your feet. Two children can also use a hula hoop to play basketball. One child holds the hoop while the other throws a ball through it.

Make a video for a family member’s birthday.

Help your kids direct and star in a video for a grandparent, favorite uncle, or family friend. Practice singing a song and saying nice things to the person. Then post the video on YouTube or the recipient’s Facebook page.

Go bowling.

Make your own bowling alley. All you need is a cushy or inflatable ball, a hallway, and some empty plastic water bottles or milk cartons (any size and number will work). Arrange the containers in a line or triangle pattern at the far end of the hall. Stand at the opposite end, roll the ball, and see how many “pins” you can knock down. Make it educational by having your kids keep count, adding up how many pins everyone knocks down.

Get crafty.

Designing a variety of thank-you and birthday cards is a great way to work on handwriting and spelling while having fun creating the cards. Set up a craft table with construction paper, markers, glitter, glue, and any other supplies you have on hand. Each card is more personal, and each is a win for the family member or friend who receives it.
Healthy family activities like these don’t have to cost a dime, all you need is imagination to turn items already on hand into indoor adventures.