Whether your family is big, small, or anywhere in between, finding fun holiday activities to do with them is always a challenge. With the stress of the holidays, figuring out fun family activities can be the last thing on your mind. Beat the holiday stress with these easy ideas for family holiday activities.

There are plenty of reasons to get outside during the winter, but it can be hard to find fun things to do with the whole family when you’re stuck inside and can’t access your favorite winter activities. The good news is there are plenty of winter activities you can do indoors, like making crafts, playing games, and baking. However, before that, it’s important to make sure your home is adequately prepared for the colder months.

Winter Preparations To Make

As the chill sets in and the days grow shorter, it’s time to embrace the cozy comforts of the indoors. Whether it’s a snowstorm raging outside or simply too cold to venture, preparing your indoor space for winter activities can transform those dreary days into memorable family moments. Here are some simple preparations to ensure you’re ready for indoor winter fun:

1. Stock Up on Supplies: Before the cold weather hits, take stock of your craft supplies, board games, and baking ingredients. Make sure you have everything on hand to keep the whole family entertained during those long winter evenings. Consider adding some new additions to your collection to spark excitement and creativity.
2. Create a Cozy Atmosphere: Beat the winter blues by creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home. Set up a designated cozy corner with blankets, pillows, and soft lighting where the family can gather for storytime or movie nights. Adding seasonal decorations like twinkling lights or scented candles can enhance the ambiance and make your space feel extra festive.
3. Check Heating Systems: Before the temperature drops significantly, inspect your heating systems, such as furnaces, boilers, and space heaters. For homes heated by oil, schedule a delivery from a reputable heating oil supplier like Brothers Mechanical to ensure an adequate supply for the winter months. Proper planning prevents running out mid-season. For all heating systems, ensure they are in good working condition and schedule any necessary maintenance or repairs to avoid unexpected breakdowns during the colder months.
4. Prepare Comfort Food: Winter is the perfect time to indulge in comforting homemade meals and treats. Stock your pantry with ingredients for hearty soups, stews, and casseroles that will warm you up from the inside out. Get the whole family involved in meal prep and baking projects to create memories and delicious dishes to enjoy together.

Having said that, here are six of our favorite indoor games that can be played:

1. Games: Monopoly, alphabet matching, 100-question game. It’s that time of year again! Thanksgiving is only a few days away, which means that it’s time to plan some fun activities for the family to do together. There are tons of different games you can plan to play this holiday season, but some are more fitting for different ages and groups.
2. A Holiday Movie: ‘Tis the season for movies! Watch A Christmas Story, Charlie Brown, Elf, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Family movie nights can be fun, but they can also be a lot of work. Because we all love a good movie, it’s easy to find inspiration on Netflix. Currently, there are more than 15,000 (!) holiday-themed movies available, but we’ve narrowed it down to just 3: Pat the Bunny, Elf, and Love Actually.
3. Go bowling: Bowling is fun for all ages. The holiday season is the perfect time for fun family activities. Bowling alleys offer entertainment besides just bowling as well, in the form of food, music, and more. It is one of those activities that the whole family will enjoy. Therefore, bowling alleys are an excellent way to bowl, dine and unwind, as well as spend time with family and friends.
4. Make a gingerbread house: Kids love to decorate with candies, and the houses make great decorations for the holidays. Whether the kids are excited to go or dreading it, the holidays are a time that families come together and celebrate. And for many, the holidays are about traditions. This is especially the case when it comes to holiday family gatherings. Whether it’s the first Thanksgiving you’ve hosted or the tenth, there are certainly some traditions that you don’t want to forget. Why not make a gingerbread house? You can bond by making memories, and who wouldn’t love that?
5. Try Hunting: Hunting can be a family activity that involves pursuing and catching wild animals in their natural habitats. It is often viewed as a way to bond with family members, spend time outdoors, and participate in a traditional pastime. All you may need for this particular activity is a gun (which can also be sourced from a gun raffle, by the way) and the skill to observe animals and decide the best time to hunt them down.
6. Stay in: Instead of going out and spending money, stay in and watch movies, play games, or bake cookies. Staying home for the holidays doesn’t have to be boring. Head over to the Food Network website for some fun, easy, and budget-friendly family activities you can do right there in your own home. There’s something for everyone on this list, from hands-on crafts to healthy recipes. Simply click on the links provided, and you’ll find everything you need to know to keep your holiday festivities both fun and affordable.
7. Go caroling: Caroling is one of the favorite activities around the Christmas holidays. Many people meet up at their homes, gather around the fireplace, and play Christmas songs. It may be the perfect way to celebrate the holidays, celebrate family, and enjoy music.

When it comes to planning a holiday get-together, getting caught up in the traditions you and your family enjoy can be easy. But there’s nothing like a little change to keep things fresh. Whether you want to plan something fun for the kids or spend some quality time with your family, these activities are sure to get your holiday party off to a great start.

The holidays-and the holiday season in particular-can be hectic and joyful. And that fine line between the two is tricky to navigate. For many families, the holidays mean spending time with loved ones, seeing friends and family, and having too much delicious food.