Happy New Year! As we welcome the new year, we also welcome cold, dreary days. January tends to be quite the hibernating season, for sure.
If you’ve got kiddos at home, that no-mans-land season can get real lonely and boring, real fast.
To sum it up, all out insanity ensues.
Cleaning schedules get abandoned. Schedules in general seem arbitrary since you’re pretty much staring at each other 24/7.
And as a momma, I can tell you that after 48 hours of feeling hopelessly trapped remaining safely in your home, a terrible bout of cabin fever settles in for the long haul.
So, I thought today I would share 12 Fun Ways to Conquer Winter Cabin Fever! Next time you find yourself quarantined to your abode – or it’s a just a random Tuesday and you need a fun activity – at least you (and your kids) will have plenty on your agenda to pass the time. 
12 Ways to Conquer Cabin Fever
1. Put together a family time capsule.
We are loving this idea at our house! Fill a shoe box with a few toys, photos, and other memorabilia of whatever is going on currently with your family. We have decided to write little notes about what is going on with our family as we are making each capsule. Then, we hide it in our basement closet and will return to it years down the road, peek inside, and relive the memories. This is such a great sentimental craft, but it is also an awesome way to eat through four hours of a day without even realizing it! Cabin fever be gone!
2. Go on a scavenger hunt.
Turns out you can set up a scavenger hunt in under 10 minutes. Simply select 5-10 items to hide, jot down quick clues, and set out on the adventure to find them! Tip: Utilize your Elf-on-the-Shelf knowledge to help make your hunt even more fun!
3. Put on a family talent show.
Get the family together in the den, turn off the t.v., and let each family member have their own 15 minutes of fame!
4. Build a fort and watch movies from inside.
This is an all-time favorite for me. My brother and I used to build forts as kids, and I still remember those times as some of my most favorite memories of childhood. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that will stick in your kids’ minds forever!
5. Host a cookie/cake decorating party.
The kiddos don’t have to wait ’til a holiday to get creative in the dessert decoration game . . . turns out they love smothering confections with icing and sprinkles all. year. long.
6. Have recreational bath time.
If you can’t get in an actual pool, let the kids splash around in their tub. Since bath time is focused on cleanliness, let this time be all about the fun! Consider pouring in just a bit of bubble bath to take the fun factor up even more notches! Plus, don’t forget to capture all the shampoo mohawk hair moments on the camera to laugh at for years to come!
7. Host a storytelling session.
Encourage your kiddos to explore their imagination! Consider giving them a character, a scene, and a plot. Then, let them fill in the rest of the story.
8. Make a homemade pizza.
If you have time to plan ahead, make sure to stock your fridge with pizza ingredients for a super fun treat with your kids. Allow them to pick their toppings, assemble them, and watch as you pop it in the oven! Fun fact: my kids are much more likely to eat all of their meal if they took part in the prep. Just like with adults, there is something “cool” about feeling like you cooked a great meal!
9. Have a dance party.
There is nothing that relieves stress faster and more effectively for me than turning up some music and just bustin’ a move . . . or 10. Get the kids involved. Let them pick the music and consider even throwing together a quick routine!
10. Put on a fashion show.
Encourage the kids to dig in their dress-up baskets and strut their stuff! Make it fun by giving out prizes for “best smile,” “best outfit,” “best walk,” etc.
11. Host a family room camp out.
Gather sleeping bags, pillows and lots of blankets to form a campsite in your den. Snuggle up and tell stories until time to go to sleep.
12. Have a puzzle/game championship.
Put out a bunch of puzzles and games for the children to select from. For extra fun, keep score as you compete as a family!
What are your go-to cabin fever / lazy day family fun ideas?
