Here we are and it’s almost the end of February. It seems like the promise of spring is right around the corner and then bam …. Snow storm. This winter has been so up and down for us that I am not sure if we are coming or going.
The newness of the snow has worn off and the restlessness has settled in . I think our family has the winter blahs.
So in my spare time I have been trying to ease them away from the electronic baby sitter ( aka the t.v.) and put in some fun stuff to do . Here are some of the things that we have done to get rid of the winter blahs
1) put the music on and dance:
Ok so this sounds crazy but movement releases that happy hormone . Music affects the mood in a similar manner. So we put on the silly songs and dance around the living room till we are out of breath.
2) build a fort.
This one is always a hit ! The kids love to put all their Teddy’s and camp out in the fort.their imagination comes alive . I know that this is not a new idea but its a good one
3) snowflakes:
Yup it makes a horrible mess with all the little papers on the floor but its fun to make cuts in the paper and then see the magic of what we have made.
4) baking;
Simple cookie recipes with a few cookie cutters can be a lot of fun and are so yummy when finished . I never let my kids use the oven but they help measure and the love to stir.
5) cardboard box creations
I usually get my groceries and then put them in boxes. So we decorate the boxes and make forts or space ships , a dog house, a pet shop, a store stall. A train with the smaller boxes . With a few crayons some clue and construction paper the boxes is the now the mode of transportation into an imaginary world.
6) puzzles.
Simple easy puzzles are a great way to sit around the table and talk . I love doing puzzles . It helps with simple problem solving and also allows time for conversation to flow. It also builds teamwork . It’s a great for the mind and its fun to see the end results
8 ) scavenger hung.
I put together a small little list of things to go find in the house and then they come back with them and sit at the table and are allowed to make a creation of the materials they find . It’s super interesting to see what they come up with .
9) a treasure hunt . I hide a small treat somewhere in the house and then give them clues which leads to the next clue and so and so forth until they find the “treasure” . The excitement with this game is almost unbearable and the noise . You’d think they had won the lottery .
10) last but not least a good old picnic . I give them a blanket to sit on in the living room and then allow the to pick some foods which they are allowed to use for their picnic. It super sure to see them set up and eat . This is definitely one of the favourites
So what are a few things that you do to help live up the house during the winter blahs .id love to hear some suggestions.
