0

Comments

I recently tackled the issue of getting out of your home during cold weather. However, what about the days you have no choice but to stay indoors? Whether it’s due to your child not feeling well, a school cancellation, or the fact that it’s too darn yucky outside to bundle up and drag everyone out, you need a plan for these kinds of days.

Build a Fort

Building a fort is my son’s favorite indoor activity. He gets extremely elaborate by turning part of our sectional over, using lots of blankets, putting a ladder up as a doorway, and so on. In most cases, however, all you really need is a sheet or blanket and the ability to drape. Kids love having their own space, especially one they’ve created within an already familiar area. Take a flashlight in the fort and read a book together; or put a sleeping bag and pillow inside for a little nap. I’ve been known to take a quick snooze in my son’s fort from time to time.

Have a Picnic

Spread a blanket out on the living room floor and have a picnic lunch or dinner. A regular meal suddenly becomes special when it’s part of a pretend adventure. Don’t forget to invite the teddy bears!

Bring a Book to Life

Choose one of your child’s favorite books and help him or her bring it to life. Use construction paper, glue, markers, glitter, old clothes, and whatever else you can find to make costumes and props. Then allow your child to act out the story or a favorite scene. Have the camera ready to catch the early acting chops of someone who may one day be famous!

Movies

Keep a few movies out of the regular rotation so your kids have something new to watch if they are sick or cooped up for several days. Or get out home movies. Most children enjoy watching themselves when they were younger. There’s a good chance you’ll even come across footage of the last time you were trapped in the house.

Craft Box

Every family with children needs one of these. My son is almost 10 but we still have a box with beads, glue, glitter, stickers, stamps, construction paper, feathers, buttons, and lots of other craft goodies. He still digs through it on occasion and now his younger cousins use it when they come over to visit.

Bake Something

Keep an easy cake mix on your shelf or freeze a few sugar cookies that you can quickly defrost them when the situation calls for a little sweet treat. Make some homemade icing with powdered sugar, water, and food coloring then let your little baker have at it.

Dress-Up Clothes

Even little boys can play dress-up with capes, boots, hats, funky wigs, and vests. I love picking things up at Goodwill to send over to my nieces for their dress-up box. We still have one at home filled with army fatigues and cowboy gear—my son won’t allow me to get rid of it just yet.

Play-Doh

No need to elaborate on this one.

Snacks

Always have healthy snacks stashed away for days you may be stuck in the house. Low-fat microwave popcorn, applesauce, raisins, nuts, pudding, a can or two of soup, Easy Mac, juice boxes, and other items that you can store and utilize if you need to be home for an extended period of time due to weather or illness.

Regardless of the reasons you find yourself stuck inside of your home, a little planning ahead can make the experience much more enjoyable for the kids. If the kids are happy, then YOU are happy.

[Photo by ||!prliignore0||]