ShareThisThe colder, darker months of winter have been known to cause outbreaks of cabin fever in children of all ages. Being cooped up inside without a plan is torturous for everyone. Moms and dads who aren't prepared will invariably have to deal with more than the usual amounts of whining and roughhousing. Without some structure and activities, children, especially little ones, get bored and restless, and act out. Prevent a cabin-fever epidemic this winter with a little advance planning.
Alicia on "Having an Indoor Activities Roster":
Snow is fun in the winter, but your kids may not always want to be outside in it. Or what about the days when it's just bitterly cold with no snow? You will need to have a roster of fun activities that you can turn to on those drearier, inside days. Our family favorites are cooking and baking. Both are a great way to keep little ones occupied, and there's always a reward of tasty food when they're done. It's also a great way to spice up a winter play date.
Sarah on "Inside Day Box":
Building on Alicia's idea of having an activities roster, I also recommend that you put together an "inside day box." I use a pretty printed cardboard box I got at the Container Store and in it I keep coloring books, markers, board games, puzzles, etc., that the kids only get to play with on a day that's too cold, rainy or snowy to go outside. Because the items are only used once in a while, they're always perceived as fresh and new and fun. Now is a great time to put together a box because after the holidays, games and children's activity sets seriously go on sale. That makes stocking up on them smart and easy.
Here are additional ideas for keeping your wits about you on dreary inside days.
1. Throw a "Winter Wonderland" Party
Your children have amazing imaginations. Bring out their innate creativity by letting them throw themselves a "winter wonderland" party. They can cut out and hang paper snowflakes everywhere, make winter castles out of big and small marshmallows and toothpicks, make paper snowmen, make an igloo with pillows from the couch or have a polar-bear tea party. Let your hair down and join in the fun. You'll be amazed at how quickly the day flies.
2. Get Some Boxes
Kids love to make something out of nothing. Pile everyone in the car for a quick scavenger hunt for boxes. Stop at a grocery store or hardware store and ask for a few leftover boxes and such. When you get back home, have the kids build something fantastic with the boxes. Encourage them to decorate their buildings with markers, stickers or other bits of flair. If you're lucky enough to find a large box, like a refrigerator box, you can help them transform it into a playhouse, which has the potential to keep everybody occupied for many indoor days.
3. Let Them Move It, Move It
Kids need to move, which can be a problem indoors. To combat the chaos that can come with unfettered running around, try clearing some space in the basement or living room. That way, they will have a dedicated space in which they can move around freely, without worrying about breaking something. Take it to another level by setting up a few karaoke or dance activities and letting them shake their bon-bons.
(The writers are co-founders of Buttoned Up, a company dedicated to helping stressed women get organized. Send ideas and questions to yourlife(at)getbuttonedup.com. For more columns, go to scrippsnews.com.)
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