My family lives in Northern Ohio, and we’ve had an “Epic Winter.”  Record subzero temps combined with record snowfall (it’s up to my waist in the yard), and howling winds have made it difficult, if not dangerous, to venture outside.

My family lives in Northern Ohio, and we’ve had an “Epic Winter.”  Record subzero temps combined with record snowfall (it’s up to my waist in the yard), and howling winds have made it difficult, if not dangerous, to venture outside.

My poor toddler is showing signs of cabin fever (as am I)! Feeling the same?  Here are some fun things you can do with your kids:

  1. Dress the child in their winter gear, dump buckets of snow in the bath tub, and let them enjoy!
  2. Play in a different area of the house than usual, or snuggle up to read a book in a forgotten nook.
  3. Build a fort with sheets and couch cushions.
  4. Make “cars” out of cardboard boxes.  Screen a “drive-in movie” and provide popcorn.
  5. Fill Ziploc bags full of paint, tape to the windows, and let the kids squish the paint around to make cool designs.  They look neat with the light filtering through.
  6. Have a “pool party” in the bathroom with swimsuits, floaties, beach music, (even snacks) around a tub full of warm water.
  7. Do some baking, and let your child choose all the ingredients for the “recipe.” See what happens!  It might be terrible, but the fun is guaranteed.
  8. Have “prom” in your living room.  Dress up in your best and then dance ‘til you drop!
  9. Write a book together. Come up with a storyline and cut pictures out of magazines to compliment the plot.
  10. Make homemade play dough. (There are TONS of recipes on Pinterest).
  11. Pull out the old photo albums and let the kids laugh at pictures of mom and dad when they were kids.
  12. Explore a junk drawer or dresser drawer that is usually off-limits to the kids.
  13. Plan your vegetable garden with maps or pictures, and order seeds.
  14. Write a theatrical performance together (it doesn’t have to be long).  Help the kids make costumes, find props, make backdrops, and then act out the play.
  15. Pull out those board games collecting dust in the closet.
  16. Do you have change-jars?  Have the kids help count the money and place the coins into rolls to deposit into the bank. Ask them to help you decide how to spend it.
  17. Let the kids help you with house chores.  They may not do things perfectly, but that’s how they learn.  Make it fun and don’t sweat the details.
  18. Have an indoor picnic. Let the kids help make lunch, spread a blanket on the floor, and enjoy!
  19. Teach the dog (cat, guinea pig, etc) a new trick!
  20. Write letters to loved ones, or make greeting cards for an upcoming holiday.  Have your kids send “snail mail.”  Be sure to ask the recipient to write back to the child.
  21. Make a scavenger hunt.  Leave notes with clues at various places around the house. At the end, leave a special treat!
  22. Let the children lead.  Oftentimes, kids come up with the best ideas.  Don’t be afraid to try something new, make a mess, and make mistakes. There is no wrong way to play.