Okay, the fireplace is blazing and the TV or Wii are blaring. The kids have been cooped up and are bored. What can you do to encourage them to go outside and play to alleviate that boredom? Try some simple tricks like these:
First, we look at getting ready to go outside. If your kids have more than one pair of gloves, let them wear one of each pair. This little trick is great for smaller children that want variety — and just don’t know it. Kids love breaking rules and unmatching gloves is a simple way to allow this behavior without causing any harm, plus the kids will get a kick out of it.
Instead of having the kids wear their normal snow boots, show them how they can put long bread sacks over their tennis shoes! Secure the sacks with medium-strength rubber bands and they will stay on all day. Even if the rubber bands slip down to the ankles, the shoes will still stay dry and there’s no mess for mom to clean up.
Now let’s talk about games. How about setting an egg timer for 5 minutes and see who can make the most snowballs? Of course, then, there must be a snowball fight, but your “ammo” is in one spot, so explain to them that location is everything!
Snow angels and snowmen are old stand-bys for winter fun. Have a contest to see who can make the biggest snowman and who can be the most creative making the face and dressing their snowman. The winner gets extra marshmallows in their hot chocolate when they come in, or even whipped cream as a special treat for the winner. Have the children try to make a snow angel bigger than they are. This activity will make them use their thinking cap and can be a lot of fun to watch from the window. They can use a stick to draw swirls or zigzags on the angel’s skirts, and add smiley faces and winking eyes, etc.
How about suggesting they create their own igloo? Use a square milk carton or the cartons that Epsom salts are packaged in. Cut off the spout portion so the blocks will come out of the cartons easily. This is a good time to get out your sandbox tools. Castles are another option. You may need to draw a circle for them to get the shape started. Explain to them that each circle of blocks needs to be a bit smaller so that the top will eventually meet. Remind them to leave a doorway starting at the bottom!
If your kids like the igloo idea but are having trouble getting going, you can help them get in the spirit by spending a little while with them, tell them Snowman riddles and jokes like the ones you will find at http://www.dltk-holidays.com/winter/riddles/index.htm or http://www.sparkplugging.com/kids-activities/snowman-riddles-and-printable-coloring-pages/Â - on the second site, you will need to scroll down the page to find the riddles.
As a last resort, you can always have an Easter egg hunt! Kids will love the quirkiness of this out-of-season suggestion and the eggs are easy to find in the snow.
For those that just won’t budge off the sofa, run through this list with them and let the older kids hunt the websites to get some of the jokes and riddles for you. These activities should work well for kids aged 5-15. Who knows? Adults might even have fun at a party trying to keep their igloos from toppling over.
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