Winter does not strike warmth in the heart. It is often thought of as a gloomy and boring period – a time when you have to stay locked behind doors and do nothing! But that can all change. Just mix up the activities a bit and you need not hibernate with your family. Winter could turn out to be a fun and absorbing time. Here are a list of fun things that you could do this winter.
1. Snow games
So what if it is cold outside? Wear warm clothing and shake up those snow suits! Building a snow man, tobogganing, fros’t’bee (frisbee in the snow) or even a trek and a hike up the snow would be some lovely exercise. If you live in a place that completely lacks snow, you don’t have to despair for there are ways of even making fake snow!
2. Skating
Skating is good physical exercise. It is fun and develops skills. And winter is a time when the body could do with some warming up. You can try either the skating rink or ice skating to go along with the climate.
3. Family tree study
Have you ever tried tracing your family beyond a few generations? It will be fun and the children will surely love the stories that crop up as you remember the various branches, twigs, flowers and fruits of your family tree! Better still, allow the children to interview you and the grandparents if they are available at home. It is sure to be memorable.
4. Redecoration of rooms
The moods and energies of your kid will be determined largely by how her/his room is. The winter is a good time to clear the clutter and redecorate the kids’ room. Involve the child completely and it will definitely turn out to be a fun filled day spent constructively.
5. Cooking
Cooking is another fun activity if you involve everyone. Get the youngest of the lot to fetch and separate the vegetables and ingredients. Let the elder ones learn cooking from you. And as you cook, teach the children about nutrition and how the foods are vital for us. You could also allow the elder kids to experiment and that is the way to go for budding chefs.
6. Movie Show
Create a complete theater experience in your own homes. Tell the kids that a movie is available for those with tickets and watch them organize the ticketing with glee. Set up a movie and cover all windows with curtains to make the home like a theater. Cook up some snacks and take the kids’ help in serving them. Enjoy a wholesome family entertainment.
7. Self dependence
A wonderful virtue like self dependence can begin in small, fun ways. For instance, let your child prepare wrapping papers for the notebooks and school textbooks. They can either paint, use crayons, use color pens and even stick collages to make interesting book covers. Who knows, this might even interest them more in their study books later on!
8. Scrapbook beginnings
If your kids do not have a scrapbook till now, it is a good time to get them started. There is a different joy in seeing photos and other paper crafts in a good old book! Sit with the children to paste these items in the scrapbook and make sure that they label them well too.
9. Fun crafts
You could help your boy to make a car and your girl to build a dollhouse. There are hundreds of ‘constructive’ games available in the market. Get them for your children and let them unleash their creativity and potential.
10. Making a new ‘home’page
Modern children cannot imagine life without a computer. The smallest free time and they are either at video gaming or social networking. Teach them to make and maintain their own website. It is easy and fun and the website can be made on anything ranging from your pet dog or your kid’s favorite game. In case, you too are new to making websites, enjoy the fun of learning together.
11. Charity begins at home
Empathizing with the less fortunate, feeling for them and sacrificing for them is a vital essential for life. You could make the kids volunteer services this winter. Visit the elderly in old age homes or visit hospitals. If you look out, you will find a host of volunteering activity that matches your child’s interests and aptitude. This volunteering will definitely open doors to a fruitful life.
12. Serving selflessly
Continuing on the previous point, the children could also help out some charities. They could collect money for them. Or better, give them a budget to buy things – but for others. Teach them to pack it nicely and gift it to some other child who will need and enjoy it. Let you child learn the great joy that lies in giving and selfless service.
