Indoor Winter Wonderland Activities

Winter can be a magical time, but finding activities that keep the entire family engaged and happy indoors becomes essential. Colder temperatures seem to make it extra challenging to find something to do that’s not an electronic device of some sort. What’s a family to do to feel connected amidst the winter months? Family recently spoke to Shaunte Branson about her family’s favorite indoor winter activities. Shaunte is a veteran and is married to Joseph Branson, who is an E-7 in the Navy. They are currently stationed at Naval Station Rota, Spain. Shaunte and Joseph have five children: Kiana (13), Ayva (11), Josiah (9), Jeremiah (6), and Afa (3).

What are some of your favorite indoor winter activities?
One of my family’s favorite activities is bowling. It’s a sport that offers fun and competition for all ages. As the kids grow, the competition naturally intensifies, especially between the siblings and in the kids versus parents matches. Bowling has evolved from a simple game to an exciting family rivalry everyone looks forward to. It’s a great time to teach healthy competitiveness, too. We are all more like ourselves around our family members, and we should be able to have a healthy sense of competitiveness.

How have your indoor activities evolved as your kids have grown?
As the kids age, we will take them to different museums. We notice that they begin to understand all the history they learn at the museums. Plus, we can enjoy activities provided with museum tickets. The experience becomes an enriching, meaningful indoor activity each time we go. It creates a deeper appreciation for things they might not have appreciated when they were younger. They engage more with the history than just walking through the halls. This sparks their curiosity, allows them to learn about other cultures, and brings history to life.
Also, bowling has become quite fun; they are getting bigger and don’t need much help with the bowling ball.
Indoor winter activities are not just a way to pass the time; they are cherished moments of togetherness and learning. The family has developed a fondness for specific indoor activities that cater to their diverse age groups and instill a sense of family bonding and educational growth.

How has being a military family impacted the activities?
There are unique challenges and benefits when creating indoor activities that don’t become humdrum and boring. Thanks to my veteran’s benefits and my spouse’s active service, we’ve been able to do more than I think we would have without being a military family. Sometimes, we do them without Dad while he’s deployed or training, but for the most part, being able to do these activities hasn’t impacted us much.
Remember, your children are little for a short time. Before you know it, they will be graduating from school. Take a breather and enjoy all the moments. Every second is an opportunity to create lasting memories, from the chaotic moments to the peaceful ones. This sentiment is especially significant for military families, who often face separations and relocations. Embracing and enjoying these indoor activities can foster a sense of normalcy and joy in a life that is frequently in flux.