Creative Winter Activities

Draw a picture of a large grocery cart and let your little one “fill it” with pictures of grocery items cut from old magazines. Or give your toddler a glue stick and paper and let him put together a book of babies with photos you’ve precut.

Community Fun

Check out local activities for a change of scenery. Many libraries and bookstores offer free story times and children’s programs. Other entertaining ideas are children’s concerts or theater, an aquarium, or a hands-on children’s museum. Look for art or language classes specifically geared towards children.

Mix It Up

Vary your routine to keep things lively. Let your little ones play in the bathtub in the middle of the day instead of at night. Have everyone switch seats at the table during lunch, or try having pancakes and syrup for dinner instead of breakfast. Even helping your child rearrange the furniture in her room will give her a change of scenery.

Classic Activities

There is a reason the old standbys are still around. The toys and games you played as a kid can be new and fun for your children today! Try playing with board games, marbles, modeling clay, puzzles, making paper airplanes, building card houses, coloring, painting, building towers with blocks or even making forts with sofa cushions and blankets.

Find Fresh Air

Studies show that sunlight helps chase away the blues, and the benefits of exercise on our physical and mental health have been well documented. So dress everyone appropriately (don’t forget sunblock!) and enjoy the winter weather with sledding, skiing, making a snowman or snow angels or going ice skating. Even a short jaunt outside is bound to rejuvenate everyone’s spirits.

Get Moving

Too cold to play outside? Find an indoor activity to burn off all that energy! Enroll your child in gymnastics, basketball, or swimming. Or take the whole family to a local indoor pool on the weekend for a fun afternoon that’s sure to wear the kids out!