Local mom-approved ideas to keep the kids busy
Now that the holidays are over and the weather is colder, you may find that your children are starting to get restless from being indoors longer than usual. Once little ones start to get bored, that’s when the madness begins. As a mom of six busy children, I know all too well about managing stir-crazy kids.
When my children get bored, they like to run around the house and get into everything. The next thing I know, our house is a huge mess and my husband and I are scrubbing crayon marks off of the living room walls.
For moments like this, I like to get creative with our indoor activities because it keeps my kids busy and entertained.
Here are five indoor activity ideas we like to do when the kids have cabin fever.
1. Make art with poster boards.
I don’t know what it is about poster boards, but my kids absolutely love making art with them. I like to buy about four poster boards a month at the dollar store. It’s very cost-effective because it’s usually under a dollar. Some stores even sell poster boards two for $1. When the kids get restless, I pull out a poster board, crayons, markers, stamps, and stickers. It keeps them busy for at least 30 minutes.
2. Cook recipes together.
Another great activity my husband and I enjoy doing with our kids is cooking together. Cooking as a family is a great way to connect with each other. You can find creative recipes on Instagram or Pinterest. For instance, one time my teenage daughter discovered a fun emoji cookie recipe. You can also teach your children a cherished, homemade recipe that has been passed down in the family.
3. Play a dancing game.
We play this often at my home. My daughters like to find easy dance tutorials on YouTube and we have a dance-off, taking turns seeing who has the best dance moves. And it’s OK if you’re not a good dancer. Trust me on this — when it comes to dancing, my husband has two left feet. All that matters is you move your body and have fun doing it!
4. Create a puppet show.
We like to make DIY puppets from scratch using construction paper, paper bags, or old (clean) socks. Then we drape a blanket onto chairs or decorate a science board to create the puppet theater.
5. Play board or card games together.
My kids love it when we play board and card games. Playing games together as a family is a great opportunity to communicate and share a few good laughs. Our favorite card games are Go Fish and Uno. We also love playing board games such as Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and the Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game.
Follow Jennifer Hamra on Instagram @goodlifedetroit.
