How to Help Your Kids Beat Cabin Fever?

The holidays are officially over, and you’re now staring down a long, cold winter. You can already hear the kids moaning, “Mom, I’m bored!” as cabin fever starts to take hold. If you’re running out of ideas to keep your kids entertained, you’ve come to the right place! Here are a few ways to help your kids overcome post-holiday boredom and keep everyone in your family from going stir-crazy this winter.

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Play in the Snow

Sure, it may be cold and annoying sometimes, but playing in the snow is so much fun for kids! Building snowmen, going sledding and making snow angels in fresh snow is a magical part of childhood. Plus, many snow activities are great for helping kids burn off some extra energy.

Of course, you’ll need to make sure that your kiddos are dressed appropriately for the weather—especially your baby. Layering is key! Start with a Onesies® Brand Bodysuit and add layers as needed. Don’t forget everyone’s mittens, hats and waterproof boots.

Bring the Outdoors in

Too cold to play in the snow? If your kids are practically bouncing off the walls, try setting up some energy-burning activities they can do indoors. Bring their plastic slide indoors and let them slide onto blankets and pillows. Use painter’s tape on the carpet to create an indoor hopscotch game.

If you want to get them really nice and tired, set up an indoor obstacle course in your home. Be sure to keep it simple for the little ones. For instance, you could have your kids crawl through a play tunnel or run with a beanbag over their head. There are an endless number of ways to create an indoor obstacle course, so don’t be afraid to get creative!

Cook Together

There are plenty of good reasons to cook with your kids. First, it’s a great way to encourage a picky eater to taste unfamiliar food and develop healthier eating habits. Involving your little one in meal prep can give them a sense of control, making them more likely to eat their dinner.

Cooking can also be a science lesson in disguise! As you create delicious dishes together, you can explain math concepts (fractions, shapes, conversions, etc.) and introduce them to new vocabulary that describes how food looks, feels and tastes. Before you start cooking with your tiny sous chef, remember to follow basic kitchen safety.

Get Crafty

Stave off winter boredom by planning a few fun craft activities for the kids. Make paper snowflakes and hang them in the windows as winter decorations. Read a book about birds to your kids and bring the story alive by making a DIY pinecone bird feeder to hang outside. Looking for ways to engage your little one in sensory play? Make a homemade batch of playdough with this colorful playdough recipe from TinkerLab.

Pro tip: Keep a list of craft activities and supplies at the ready so you can whip them out at the first sign of boredom!

Purge Their Closets with a Fashion Show

Who says you need to wait until spring to start cleaning? This next activity can be a lot fun for the kids and sneakily doubles as a way to declutter their closets! To make it fun, blast some music and have your kids do their best model walk. Then, decide whether their old clothes should stay or go.

Don’t forget to clean out the baby’s closet, too. Now is the perfect time to stock up on new baby clothes and donate your little one’s outgrown clothing to families in need. The other moms-to-be out there are sure to appreciate your excellent taste!

Play Family Games

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this winter that doesn’t involve a digital screen? Turn off the television and play board games as a family. When you bring out the board games, your kids reap big benefits. Even simple games can give young players a cognitive boost by teaching them how to count spaces, identify colors and develop better hand-eye coordination.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel with board games. Although new games are always fun to try, classic games such as Candy Land and Monopoly Junior are popular for a reason. Searching for a game that promises an abundance of fun? Bust out the Twister mat and get ready for lots of giggling.

Make Homemade Cards for Loved Ones

You don’t need a specific reason to send a card to the people you love and appreciate. (Although, Valentine’s Day is coming up if you need one). So, why not make homemade cards with the kids? Homemade cards are a thousand times more personal than the generic greeting cards you can get at the grocery store. And in any case, the grandparents will definitely appreciate it! Simply gather a few supplies and encourage the kids to write heartfelt notes to their loved ones. On top of keeping the kids busy for a while, this activity is sure to put a smile on someone’s face when they receive their card.

Build a Blanket Fort Together

Who doesn’t love a good blanket fort? If the weather outside is too cold for a snow fort, build the best indoor fort with cozy blankets, pillows and fairy lights. You could make the kids hot cocoa and play games, watch movies or have a read-a-thon inside the fort. If you want to take your blanket fort to the next level, use a clothesline to hang your blankets and get out the sleeping bags for extra coziness. Fair warning: Your kids may never want to leave the fort!