Hey girls...for some of us, the cold weather has arrived, and it doesn't look like it will be going away for a while.I was wondering if anyone has some really great ideas about things to do with your kids once that nasty case of cabin fever sets in.
Please share!
7 comments:
Get out of the house everyday, despite the cold! Even if it's just to walk around the mall, it's good to get out of the house!
I have the opposite problem... living in Arizona we were housebound most of this summer with 30+ days over 110 degrees. Most of the days were closer to 120... It was awful.
I have to agree with Liz... Even if it was just going to Walmart and walking around, I found my sanity stayed in check much better if I got out at least once every few days. If nothing else, it forced me to get dressed! Does your local library offer story time or anything of that sort? I take Cecelia to story time once a week and a baby ASL class once a week. It keeps us both from getting cabin fever too bad.
Open the curtains as wide as they go!! The more natural light, the better (even if it is a grey day!)I find this is the one thing that helps me the most.
I definitely agree with what has been said. Last week I was so cooped up that I called my husband to see if I could pick him up from school (instead of him riding the bus) then we stopped at a cemetary and walked around... only for a min since it was freezing! But it felt SOO good to breathe in the fresh air. If cemetaries aren't your style, go for an extra walk up and down the drive way or around the mailbox on the way to the mail. I find it's the simple little things that I can incorporate every day that help. I try to get out once a week other than my normal shopping trip to the mall or what not, but when it's cold and slippery roads, sometimes that's the last thingI want to do.
Sorry this is lengthy. Another thing that helps is how you think about staying in. This of course doesn't work all the time or for extended periods of time, but I try to make my home really cozy, so it's more of a warm, welcoming place, instead of a stuffy confining place. I like to light cinnamon candles, wear slippers and a cozy sweatshirt. When Margaret takes a nap I like to spend some time with a mug of hot chocolate or warm cider/wassail/etc.
Sorry, I didn't read the question very closely :)
We always build forts with the couch cushions or put a blanket over the table. Depending on the age of kids, paper snow flakes are always fun, any type of art (finger paint, if you can put up with the mess, make playdough), having the kids help with cooking, etc. We make 20 or so dozen cookies and take them around to people.
Something I remember doing with my mom when I was young was forming a band. I'd play the pots and pans and she made some fun instruments out of rubber bands, combs, waxed paper, etc. Then we'd have concerts. We'd also do skits or circuses... our circus consisted of things like leap frog and summersaults then I'd perform for my dad when he got home to music.
My hibernation was this summer and now we finally get out.
It's always good to try and get out. Having something scheduled like a class or playdate that happens every week kind of commits you to get out and always ends up feeling good. We did indoor playdates this summer and that went really well. Kids got to play in a new environment.
We also have a few inexpensive restaurants around here (including McD's) with playplaces. That is something indoors that can also help the kids work off their energy.
Do you have any movie theatres around that offer like a weekly free movie for parents and kids?
I agree with getting out, although my problem is I tend to go shopping and spend money I shouldn't! I second the playdates-totally! I also get a lot of ideas from different Parenting magazines. If you don't have subscriptions to any, you can find stuff online or get magazines at the library.
All really great ideas! Thanks guys!!
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