nZONE BLOG

Written by Patricia Booth Coote, Director of Education at The nZone

I admit I am not a four-season person. As days grow colder and shorter, staying bundled under warm blankets and avoiding the frosty air is at the top of my list. I could skip winter and hibernate. My children, however, loved everything about it. Lured by the idea of snow angels, sledding, and building snowmen, they bundled up and ran outside to play.

However, after a few weeks of numb toes and bitter air, the kids needed activities to do without snow. Luckily, we live in Chantilly, Virginia, where there are so many family-friendly indoor activities to keep you warm and entertained.

7 Fun Indoor Family Activities

1. Explore Winter Through Sensory Play

Winter is the perfect time to explore the changing season. At the nZone, our Little Stars and nSpire students love making snow playdough, glitter slime, and painting ice.

2. Find a Fun Place to Go

Need to leave the house for a few hours? Want a bigger space to run around? Enjoy Family Field Time at the nZone. This weekly gathering offers families an opportunity to connect with other families in the community through free play with ride-on toys, bounce house, balls, hula hoops, and more. It is an excellent way for little ones to burn their energy indoors and for parents to connect with other families.

3. Host a Snowball Fight

Our Little Stars kids love snowball fights in our Dramatic Play Center. We do, too! And this snowball fight is sans the cold, wet, soggy mess its outdoor counterpart delivers. Use cotton balls, yarn pom poms, crumpled paper or sock balls. It’s a great way to build imagination skills and burn energy. Don’t forget the hot chocolate and snuggling up with the kids afterward.

4. Bake Something

From making their own Christmas lunch that includes mashed potatoes and pudding to gingerbread men, every week in Little Stars Playschool, students are measuring, mixing, and baking something delicious that makes the other staff ask, “What’s baking today?” Baking teaches math skills like measuring and counting, building vocabulary, and fine motor skills. Families can do this at home, too. It’s a fun way to try new recipes or teach your children a family favorite, and explore a skill together.

5. Curl Up with a Good Book

There’s nothing like curling up with a good book on a chilly day. Whether you prefer fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, winter is a great time to get lost in a story. Some of our favorite ones in Little Stars and nSpire are Snowy Days by Ezra Keats, the Otis series by Loreen Long, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, and the Magic Treehouse series.

6. Start a Family Puzzle

My family buys a puzzle every year to complete over the winter season. Now that my kids are in college, we do it at the start of their winter break and finish it by the time they head back to school. It sits on a table, and they place a puzzle piece whenever someone walks by.

7. Build New Skills

Since winter slows down outdoor activities, its slower pace allows for building new skills or hobbies. The nZone has yoga, Kung Fu, and pickleball to keep you active and fit, boosting your mood. While you enjoy these workouts, you can drop your children off at Care4Kids to have fun with our nurturing staff.

Fun Indoor Family Activities in Chantilly, Virginia

Ready to enjoy the winter? Don’t let the cold prevent you from making family memories. Whether you try out a Nerf battle or Family Field Time at the nZone, host a birthday party with games and activities, make snow ice cream, or enjoy completing a puzzle together, there are plenty of activities to do indoors in Chantilly.