From Frost to Fun: Winter Activities for Little Ones

Colder weather and shorter days can be challenging with less time outdoors, which can lead to more screen time and fewer opportunities for movement. Spending time together indoors through simple activities such as cooking, sensory play and gentle movement can help support children’s learning and development during the winter months and can be a good way to spend quality time together as a family. 

Let’s explore some of the NYLO Team’s favourite ways to make those times lots of fun. 

Activity

Salt Dough Decorations

Salt dough is an easy sensory activity that allows children to explore different textures while using their hands.   

With this salt dough, you can make ornaments and decorations to hang. 

What you will need: 

• Plain flour-250g 

• Table Salt-125g 

• Warm water-100ml 

• Baking parchment paper 

• Rolling pin 

• Cookie cutters  

• Spoon 

• Paint and brush(optional) 

• Ribbons  

How to do:

• Preheat the oven to 100°C.
• Mix the flour and salt together in a large bowl using a spoon.

• Slowly add warm water little by little, stirring until the mixture becomes difficult to stir.
• Use your hands to bring the dough together and gently knead until smooth.

• Roll the dough between two sheets of baking parchment.
• Cut the dough into different shapes using cookie cutters.

Top Tip! Encourage your children to explore patterns by pressing objects into the surface or using a brush. Some examples include dry leaves from outside, orange peel or a sponge.

• Use a straw or a toothpick to make a small hole that the ribbon can go through once it’s been in the oven.
• Place the baking paper with the shaped dough in the oven. Bake until the dough is firm, approximately 2-3 hours. Check in between and once the dough has hardened, remove it from the oven.

• Allow it to cool completely and then paint.
• Tie ribbons to your decorated pieces and hang them up or display them on your walls.

Children can take part by pouring, mixing, rolling and shaping the dough. Talking about how the dough feels and what children are making supports communication and learning through play. 

Safety reminder: 

• Salt dough is not for eating. 

• Children should be closely supervised. 

• Wash hands after the activity. 

---

Cooking

Frosty Footballs

Preparing simple snacks together can help children feel more confident around food while developing fine motor skills.  This no cook recipe is a great way to involve your children in food preparation and explore wetter textures.  

Remember to always stay with your little ones when they are eating.

Ingredients

• 80g oats 

• 1 Ripe banana 

• 2 TBSP Peanut butter 

• 1-½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon 

What to do

1. Help your little one mash the banana in a bowl until smooth using a fork.
2. Add oats, peanut butter and ground cinnamon to the bowl – little ones can help with measuring and pouring.
3. Encourage little one to mix everything together until well combined.
4. Using a spoon, scoop small amounts of the mixture out of the bowl and roll into balls.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

---

Let’s Get Physical!

Stretch to shake off the chill

Gentle movement helps children stay active indoors and supports balance, flexibility and body awareness. 

Did you know?

Having good body awareness is important in children to support their development and overall health as they grow.  It can help them learn to play confidently in the space around them. 

Try simple stretches together. Keep movements relaxed and playful, allowing children to move at their own pace. 

Stretching tall like a tree 

Stand up straight like a big, strong tree! Pick a spot to look at and now reach your arms up high like giraffe necks stretching for the leaves. 

Ready for a challenge? 
Lift one leg and bend your other leg and gently place your foot on the inside of your standing leg. 

---

Gentle toe touches 

Stand straight and steady. Now slowly bend forward and try to touch your toes with your hands.  

Can you reach them? If it’s tricky, bend your knees and then try. You can do this in seated position too! 

---

Downward dog stretch 

Get on hands and knees. Then press the palms firmly on the ground, then gently stretch your knees and lift your hips up and peek through your legs. What do you see? 

---

Cat and cow stretch 

Get on hands and knees, keep hands apart and knees lined up with the hands. 

For cow pose, make a big moo sound and look slightly up. 

Next, the Cat Pose make a meow sound, bring your head down, tuck your chin to your chest, and arch your back 

Switch between cow and cat a few times. 

---

Butterfly stretch 

Sit on the floor and bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together. 

Hold your feet with your hands and pull them close to your tummy. 
Now flap your wings! Gently move your knees up and down while holding your toes just like a butterfly flying in the garden!  

---

Snake pose 

Lie down on your tummy. Place your palms firmly on the floor, one on each side of your chest. 

Now slowly lift your head and chest, stretch up like a snake rising from the grass! 
Make a long, “hissssss” sound as you stretch. 

---

Stuck for Indoor Movement Ideas?

Our friends at Cardiff Met Sport have created a playlist of games you can try with small spaces using household items – why not give it a try:

Find the Colour with Llewelyn Leek

This easy activity doesn’t need any equipment and can be a good indoor or outdoor game.  Llewelyn loves to play this outdoors where there are many more colours to explore.   Doing outdoor activities supports a growing child’s physical and mental well-being. It’s a great way for families to enjoy nature together, enhance children’s learning, as well as encourage movement. 

How to play outdoors:

1. Choose a safe trail or walking path for your adventure.
2. Ask your child to pick a colour. For example, blue. You look around and find something blue in nature.
3. Then it’s your turn. Pick a colour and let your child find it.
4. If you have more little ones, make it a group game, everyone can join in!

Top Tips!

• Add fun movements like jumping, running or skipping while searching for colours.
• Start with basic colours like red, blue or green. Later, you can make it harder by finding different shades.