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It’s cold outside and it gets dark early, and that means the kids are stuck indoors. It’s easy to fall into the trap of the screens- especially since they’ll be home from school during the long holiday break. I’ll be the first to recognize that kids need their downtime, but too much downtime can quickly become too much of a good thing. Kids need to be active in order to keep their brains and their bodies healthy, and even though they’ll be spending a lot of time inside there are still ways to stay active in the dark winter months. Here are a few fun suggestions, and most of them are free!

1. Dance party:

Who doesn’t love a dance party? Let the kids take turns choosing the music and everyone moves- even parents can join in! Make it even more fun by dressing up in costumes.

2. Learn some dance moves:

Not interested in a freestyle dance party? Okay, then learn some new moves with the help of a video on YouTube.

3. Bowling:

You can always make an outing of it and go to a real bowling alley, but you can still enjoy a game or two of bowling even if you stay home. Set up soda bottles in a pyramid and you’ve got your in-house bowling alley.

4. Do a workout:

You can find a video for any type of exercise you feel like doing at any time. Find a workout that’s made for kids, or try one that the whole family can do together. Work up a sweat and then make some lemonade together.

5. Scavenger hunt:

Scavenger hunts are fun, and you can make up your own, leaving clues around the house. Check this out for some help putting the scavenger hunt together.

6. Cook together:

Cooking together is a great way to bond with your kids, and it’s a learning opportunity, too. Talk about healthy eating and cook a healthy meal together. Or forget the healthy food and have fun baking cookies. Measuring ingredients is a good way to practice math skills.

7. Indoor playground:

There are plenty of fun and active things to do when you’re stuck at home, but sometimes you just need to get out, and in the winter there’s nothing better than an indoor playground. Kids love them and they’ll be occupied for a long time. Yes, there are admission fees, but look around for coupons and you won’t have to pay full price.

How do you keep your kids active indoors? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!