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Although many people get bored during the winter months, there really is no reason to. Use this time of the year to work on getting closer with your family. There are many ways you can enjoy yourself and bring your family closer together at the same time.
The Annual Snowman/Snowwoman/Snowfamily
For those who live in areas where having enough snow to build a snowman is not a problem, learn to take advantage of it! Remember there are people in this world who have NEVER even seen real snow. Although shoveling that white stuff can often be a pain, learning to appreciate it can bring hours of fun for the entire family. Work together to create a snowman, snowwoman, or if room allows, your entire family in snow form. Kids and parents alike will get a kick out of seeing their frozen replicas.
Sledding
Another great way to spend time together is to hit the “slopes”. If you don’t live in a hilly area, check with your local, county or state parks. Many have manmade hills just for this sort of activity. Sledding is a port for all ages, but make sure your children know proper safety precautions, and if they are very young, have them ride with an adult.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Many towns offer outdoor skating in the winter – usually located at a park. However, if you have room in your own yard, you can build your one rink with a snow shovel and hose. Just clear the snow from the area you want to use and hose it down. Keep adding layers of ice by using a fine mist spray and letting it freeze.
Take a Hike
Check with your local park district, forest preserve or state park – many offer winter programs that offer winter walks or cross country skiing along marked trails.
Not up to braving the cold? There are still plenty of activities you can do with your family indoors and keep warm.
All Day Movie Marathon
For this one you can either rent movies from your local video store, check the TV listings, or for a special feeling – bring out your own home movies. Kids love to see themselves on TV, especially to see what they were like when they were younger. Give them a special treat and show them movies from when YOU were a kid. Make sure you pop ample popcorn ahead of time.
Read Together
Pick out some fitting wintery, age appropriate books from home or the library and spend time reading together. Have each person take turns reading outloud, and remind everyone else to pay attention.
Expand Your Musical Interests
Go to your local library and check out tapes or cds that you have never heard before. (Make sure to check for parental warnings.) Enjoy listening to the music together and have everyone talk about whether or not they liked the music and why. Have them dance to the music or “act it out”.
Share the Memories
Dig out your old photo albums, scrapbooks and yearbooks. Pass them around and talk to your children about things you remember and things they remember. Let them know the kinds of things you did as a kid. Who was your best friend? What was your favorite song? Favorite Christmas of Birthday present? Explain why, and ask them about their favorite, and not so favorite things too.
Winter is a wonderful time of year, it is a time for settling in, and getting ready to start a new. Use this time to reflect on the past, and plan for the future.
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