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Home › Webmother's Musings

Even in Winter, Each Day Can Be an Adventure

By Elisa Ast All

You may have already heard it this winter: "Mom, Dad, I'm bored! Can we go outside and play?" I know I have, and between colds, flu and the desire to curl up and hibernate, it's been tough to answer with an enthusiastic "Yes!"

When the weather outside is frightful, being in the house can seem delightful. But after a while, little people start climbing the walls, the furniture and even you! That's when it's time to get out – but where can you go, and what is there to do all winter long? Plenty!

Kids don't care if it's winter or summer – they still need to play and learn. So instead of letting the weather dictate what you do, try some of these options:

  • Take a class with your child. Many places offer classes in movement, arts, language, cooking and more. Arrange a field trip to your local fire station. It's fun for both kids and adults to sit inside a real fire engine!
  • Play in the snow! Make snowmen and snow angels, shovel the walk together or have a snowball fight. If there's no snow, bundle up, take a walk and talk about the seasons.
  • Visit your local YWCA, YMCA or health club. They often have indoor programs for parents and children, and this can be done year-round. Consider getting a membership so you can use the pool any time.
  • Your local park district also may have indoor activities, such as wading pools and age-specific equipment. A park district near me has an indoor water park that makes you feel like you're on vacation, when you're only a few miles from home!
  • Check out museums of all types: art or culture museums, science museums, history museums. Even if all you do is cart a child around in a stroller, he'll enjoy looking at pictures and displays – and so will you!
  • Don't forget children's museums near you, and your local library is always fun.
  • Go "shopping"! Trips to the local arts and crafts store or toy store are great, and remember – you don't have to buy something every time.
  • Indoor playgrounds can be lots of fun. Some combine indoor fun with food, so you can have lunch out as well. Just remember to follow the use and size recommendations and to watch your child at all times.
  • Join a new parents group, a parents of twins group, La Leche League or other support organization. These groups tend to float from one member's house to another's and can be a wonderful source of camaraderie and diversion.

If you absolutely can't get out of the house, try some of these ideas:

  • Play a variety of music in the house and sing along while dancing with your kids.
  • Buy a collection of new books and read different ones each day.
  • Color with crayons, paint with water colors and make pictures with markers.
  • Cut shapes out of construction paper and decorate with glue and glitter. Then decorate the house!
  • Bake bread, muffins and cookies together and wrap them as gifts for your child's friends.

Use your imagination – you can make each day an adventure!