Snowed In: Five things to do with Your Kids

Welcome to winter 2017! This weekend most folks in the US are snowed in. Even here in Georgia we are going to be trapped indoors. After about an 5 hours kids are going to get stir crazy and parents are too. Here are some suggestions on things to do which will help pass the time and build fun memories.

1. Read/Listen to a novel together. I suggest a classic novel (Little Women, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Huckleberry Finn, Charlotte's Web)  This would be a great download to your tablet. Think of a book you loved and read it to your kids. This would be a great way for you all to relax in your comfy family space. You can just read aloud or through Kindle you can download Audible and everyone can listen.
2. Teach your kids to cook a favorite family recipe. Something you cooked with someone special in your life. Tell them the story about when you learned to cook it.
3. Dig out a board game. A long playing board game like Monopoly, Phase 10, Ono, or Life can kill hours of time and give you and opportunity just to talk.
4. Make home made play dough (recipe below). Create Sculptures. Bake them (300 degrees, 1 hour). Then paint them. Once they dry you have a great memento of your time showed in.
5. Plan your family's dream summer vacation. Get everyone's input. Use markers, crayons, and colored pencils to draw or list out ideas. Cut magazine pictures to make a collage. Print things off the internet. Then put them all together in a family dream vacation booklet.

Play Dough Recipe

1 cup flour

1/4 cup salt

1/2 cup warm water

Directions

Mix flour and salt. Add water mixing slowly until it comes together. The mixture should not be sticky, if it is add more flour. Once mixed knead for five minutes until smooth. Then it is ready to mold.

I hope these ideas help you to think beyond TV, movies, and video games. This time is a great opportunity to build relationships and family togetherness. Get creative. If you have a craft or hobby you love, teach it to your kids. Tell stories about when you grew up. Make popcorn on the stove. Have fun. Make this time count!

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