Carole J. Alexander
Every January brings talk of the relief a parent feels when
the kids go back to school. But school time doesn’t help the mom of toddlers,
homeschooling parents, or those who are housebound during a winter storm. These
moms need something a little more creative when there’s no big, yellow bus
pulling up to the door. They need:
Books
Kids love read-alouds. Mine would beg for “just one more
chapter” every evening while they sipped hot tea and munched popcorn by the
fire. Sometimes, if we finished our homeschooling early, they could coax me
into an afternoon reading as well. If you know a storm is coming, head to the
library and stock up on some new titles.
Movies
In our home, movies are a treat reserved for a weekend
night if certain criteria are met. Criteria like a clean room, chores done, and
no fighting that day. But if the kids are home for snow days, and they’ve had
all the sledding they can take, what’s it going to hurt to watch three in a row
— just this once.
Games
Don’t let being cooped up in the house drive everyone to
their own rooms, phones, or computers. Turn off the electronics and get out a
board game. Candy Land can keep them busy for at least a few hours.
Baking
There’s no better way to warm up a cold kitchen than
popping some cookies into the oven. Get the kids into the kitchen and bake
things together.
READ MORE: How can I keep my kids entertained inside?
Crafts
Do you knit, crochet, or do needlework? Have you taught
your kids to do it, yet? There’s no better time than when stranded during a
storm. Cutting quilt squares, creating scrapbook pages, or fashioning beaded
jewelry can occupy the hours till the plows come down the road. And if the kids
are too young to enjoy mommy’s craft, give them some age appropriate beads,
fabric scraps, or other miscellaneous supplies and let them create.
Special toys
For the preschoolers, I always kept a box of toys put away
for special occasions. Snow days, rainy days, and sick days are those kinds of
occasions. When you get them out, they are like new all over again and keep
their attention longer.
Dance
Sometimes, the littles just need to get the wiggles out.
For times like this, put on some music and dance with them. They will get some
much-needed exercise, and so will mommy.
Exercise
Another way to get the wiggles out is to use that dusty
exercise equipment in the basement. Jump on the mini-tramp, walk the treadmill,
or ride the exercise bike a few miles. In fact, plan for a triathlon. Give them
the morning to practice and spend the afternoon in competition.
READ MORE: Schedule health into your routine
Camping
Spend the day planning and packing. After supper, hide
stuffed animals all around the family room. Pitch the tent in the middle of the
floor. If you don’t have a tent, throw some blankets over a table and pretend.
Bring in the bedding or sleeping bags and camp out right there. Turn out the
lights and have them hunt the animals with flashlights. Tell stories, eat
popcorn, and giggle the night away.
Wheels
Do you have an empty, unfinished basement or garage?
Bring on the wheels. Roller skates, scooters, or bikes will entertain kids for
hours no matter what the weather is outside.
Swimming
Another idea for the basement is to drag in the kiddie
pool and have a day at the beach. Or simply use your bathtub. Let the kids swim
to their heart’s content while the winter winds blow.
Carol J. Alexander is
a freelance writer and author of “Homestead Cooking with Carol: Bountiful
Make-ahead Meals.”