Indoor Days

[torontokids]

So we will be having our second indoor day tomorrow. My group spends a lot of time outside so they are not used to extended indoor time.

We have tons of things on the go tomorrow but I know there will be future days to come. Has anyone had a really cool indoor theme day they did? We have had a pajama day and beach party day in the past. We are TV free so a movie day wouldn't work (and wouldn't hold the young ones attention for more than 5 mins anyways). Other ideas? My kids are good with free play, just looking for something fun for them to get excited about.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Outdoors is great but honestly, it's my lazy time usually lol. I use outdoor time as mostly free play. We do much more inside. Some fav's here are.....play dough (they love making it!), making slime, baking, dance parties, glow in the dark tents with glow sticks, painting (hand, feet, brushes, sponges, cookie cutters. Endless possibilities), chalk, getting tattooes, watching funny YouTube videos on the iPad, hallway bowling, target game (I put circles of tape on the floor like a target and they take turns sliding a block.closest to middle wins)

The inside toys will probably entertain them for quite some time as well because they don't have extended periods of time with them!

[AmandaKDT]

We have had so many indoor days already, we won't be going outside at all this week (-38 with the windchill right now!). I too don't mind indoor days, all the work of putting on all the snow suits and then the younger ones can't do anything at all - just standing there like little marshmallows!

But anyway, I have done a Teddy Bear picnic day that the kids really enjoyed. They all brought their favourite stuffy from home and we had a teddy bear picnic. We ate on a blanket and had Bear Claw cookies. We played special games and a bear themed circle time and did a bear themed craft. There are a bunch of ideas out there for it, just google it.

But I just make sure to have an active play whenever they need it and usually our days inside are just fine. I bought a kids trampoline (one with a handle bar) and I have a bouncy castle and those balls with handles that they can sit and bounce around on.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Oh yes!! How could I forget the trampoline....it's a lifesaver when they need to exert extra energy!! I'd love a bouncy house but no room

[superfun]

We've been inside all week, and my babysitter is a saint, she's been picking up my daughter from school and bringing her home, so we're happy to be able to stay inside. And all my kids got back from Christmas break, and they missed their friends so much that I couldn't plan anything for the first 2 days anyways. They were so busy catching up, and finding all the little changes I made in the playroom.
We have an indoor play structure that they use as a pirate ship, and those bouncy balls with handles that AmandaKDT described. One of them is a Jake and the Neverland pirate , and we got some new pirate play dough toys yesterday. Over christmas break I bought a pirate pop up tent. So today turned into a pirate day.
I love the idea of a teddy bear picnic day, maybe I'll be doing that on Friday.

[mickyc]

we have had free play all this week so far. I finally got my daycare back down to my basement and the kids love the new space!! I figured I would give them a good week to play before I start trying to get them to do any other activities. They are keeping busy!!