Winter is on its way, and that doesn’t mean you need to feel low or limited by the colder days. We know you’re excited to make the most of your time abroad during your au pair program — and we also understand just how much energy kids can have, often more than we expect (lol).
But here’s the good news: indoor activities can be just as enjoyable as a sunny day outside. You don’t have to wait for “the perfect moment” to create meaningful memories with your host kids. And truly, when everyone is having fun, time goes by incredibly fast.
To help spark your creativity, here are 10 simple and engaging winter crafts for children ideas to inspire you.
Remember: these are suggestions. Choose the ones that feel right for you, adapt them to your style, or use them as a chance to try something new and even develop new skills along the way
1. Indoor Camping
Grab duvets, sheets and cushions and build small tents in the living room. Kids LOVE this. You can read their favourite books, tell stories, or even create your own silly adventures. Let your imagination run wild — the more creative, the better.
2. Art Attack Afternoon
Bring out coloured paper, washable paint and markers. Let the kids use their hands, feet or sponges to create fun shapes and characters. In the evening, show their “art exhibition” to your host family. It’s simple, messy, creative and always a hit.
3. Mini Cooking Class
One of the most fun (and delicious!) activities. Choose simple recipes — cookies, cupcakes or fruit skewers. Kids love helping, but they also have a lot of energy… which means things can get messy . Keep it easy and enjoy the process.
4. Museum Adventure
Ask your host family if you can take the kids to an interactive children’s museum. Many cities have great indoor options in winter: science museums, light exhibitions or discovery rooms. It’s both fun and educational.
5. Silly Snowmen Crafts
If there’s no snow outside, make your own! Use white stones from the garden, empty plastic bottles or paper rolls, and paint them together. Add googly eyes, small scarves or paper buttons — the sillier, the better.
6. Host a “Mini Olympics”
Set up small indoor challenges: balloon races, sock-throwing games, indoor bowling, obstacle courses or dance-offs. It helps kids burn energy and brings lots of laughs.
7. Winter Movie Afternoon
Prepare hot chocolate, pop some popcorn and let the kids choose a cozy winter movie. Add blankets and dim the lights to make it feel like a home cinema. After the movie, you can talk about their favourite scenes or characters.
8. DIY Puppet Theatre
Use paper bags, socks or cardboard to create characters. Then help the kids build a small “stage” using a table and a sheet. You can guide them through making a mini story and performing it. It’s great for creativity and language learning.
9. Treasure Hunt
Hide small toys or items around the house and create simple clues. Kids really love treasure hunts. Use winter themes like “Find the Snowflake” or “Save the Lost Penguin” to make it extra fun.
10. Memory Box Making
Give each child a small box to decorate. Throughout winter, you can add drawings, photos, museum tickets, small crafts or messages. At the end of your stay, they’ll have a special memory of your time together and so will you.
Bonus Tip: Celebrate National Origami Day
Did you know that 11 November is National Origami Day? It’s a great opportunity to try something new with your host kids. Origami started in China and later became popular in Japan, where it grew into an art form that represents creativity, patience and calm.
All you need is paper and a bit of patience, especially with the little ones. It’s a relaxing activity, perfect for practising focus, and a nice way to share a cultural moment during your au pair experience.
Here are five easy and popular origami shapes to make with kids:
- Paper Crane – a classic symbol of peace
- Jumping Frog – fun to fold and even more fun to make it hop
- Paper Boat – simple and great for beginners
- Heart Shape – sweet and perfect for decorating their room
- Origami Dog Face – quick, cute and always a favourite
Origami is a great way to express imagination through a simple mix of creativity, culture and quiet time — and it’s a lovely activity to learn together.
Whether you’re doing your au pair experience in Ireland, Spain, France or China, this article is here to give you fresh ideas for fun, tailored activities to enjoy with your host kids.
Winter doesn’t have to feel slow or limiting with a bit of creativity, you can turn every day into a special moment. At Roast Jobs, we’re with you every step of the way.
From the moment you start your journey until you finish your program, our team is here to support you and make your cultural experience the best it can be. You’re not alone and there are always new ways to learn, grow and have fun.
👉 Start now at roastjobs.com or reach out to us for more information at hello@roastjobs.com
You might want to read as well Discover Why Au Pair in China is a Top Choice for Cultural Exchange and Language Learning, 5 Must-Have Skills to Be an Au Pair Abroad This Year (and Why You Shouldn’t Wait!), Find Your Perfect Program, What Happens After You Apply to Be an Au Pair Abroad? A Simple Checklist to Guide You and much more.
This article was written by Júlia Zapparolli. Thank you for reading. 😊
