South Dakota is known for it's very long winters. So with that being said, mid-October is when we start having to stay inside. This doesn't fair well with my daycare kids. Planning ideas to keep them active and burn off their energy is key to our happiness. I have to get pretty creative with ideas or boredom with set in quickly.
I pick from a variety of age-appropriate activities, several are game based. I love to allow kids to have choices. I also incorporate music channels and dancing as part of our daily routine. TV is my absolute last resort.
Here are a few activities I often use: hulu hoops, musical numbers & shapes, balloons, dance parties. toss game with bean bags, popcorn kernel/shakers, bowling using coffee creamer containers filled with rice. Felt boards, animal matching and board games to name a few more of my ideas.
The 3 and up kids, play sensory bin activities. There are also a lot of ABC and numbers. I will often include holiday items or themed activities. We sometimes have a movie days when the kids need rest or a quieter environment. We read books to help them calm down prior to everyone going home for the day.
Some months I pick craft projects based books we have read. It's a great way to get your kids interested in story time and learn about what the characters or book is all about.
The indoor play yard area for the 9 mo.-20 mo. Kids. It has a crib mattress that they jump on, rocking horse, cars, stacking blocks and several age-appropriate toys. This area provides a safe place for younger kids when the older age group is dancing and playing games.
Most of the songs are interactive and the kids love it! For the song " 5 Green & Speckled Frogs", we use a blanket as the pool and have the kids jump off the log into it; so much fun! The songs "What time is it Mr. Shark?" and "Red Light Green Light" can be very loud and wild, but when you have been inside all winter you need to welcome wild sometimes.
We have a scheduled holiday crafts which is another way to match the activities with a theme. Birthday parties also help pass the long winter days.
I know several daycares that do a toy rotation and that seems to help. Introducing new toys or finding thrifted toys to add to your selection is a good way to keep the kids interested. I separate my kids by age after snack. The older kids, 3 and up, stay at the table and pick from fun and learning activities. The 1 year and 2 year old toddlers play with barn and zoo animal or color & number games. I have shape sorters, letter/music hand held toys, pop its and tons of board books. My husband made a ball sorter that they love.
If you have the space available you could add a climber, tunnel or playhouse for inside. I have also made a castle and tunnels out of refrigerator or upright freezer boxes. I cut doors and windows so the kids could walk around inside and look out the windows I left to it up for a month.
You can keep things simple or be super creative. The main goal is to keep them excited to learn and play.
If you have other ideas, I would love for you to share them with me.
I will say of the Lord, " He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91: 1-2
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