Brrrr... It is cold out there. The weather just reported that temperatures feel like -8 degrees F. The wind is howling and snow drifts are above my knees. I recently moved back to my hometown in Michigan after spending 4 years in Atlanta, GA. It is days like today that make me ask, "Why?!" (with chattering teeth).
We have had 2 consecutive snow days here and now it is the weekend. I have seen a number of people with children already struggling with cabin fever on social media. So, what do you do when you are snowed in with antsy kids? With the current temps and wind, I would not advise any parent to send their child outside. However, there are many simple and fun activities to do with your children indoors.
2. Homemade snow- Here are some different ways to make snow. They are all fun for your fingers (tactile sensory exploration)!
Refer to the blog Growing A Jeweled Rose for additional pictures and information.
4. Snowman snack/art- For a fun, healthy, interactive snack, consider making these delicious snowmen. Get a large toothpick or kabab stick, cut up thicker pieces of banana, and find some yummy ingredients to finish off your treat. Get creative!
Seen here, Happy Home Fairy used apples and berries to make the snowman hats, pretzel sticks for the arms, mini chocolate morsels for the buttons and eyes, and small pieces of carrot for the nose.
5. Indoor "Snow" Fort- Make the biggest, baddest fort of all time! Use your blankets, sheets, pillows, chairs, and tables. Create secret passage ways, make bedrooms, have a place for your dog to sleep, incorporate a radio and have a dance party on your knees, eat your snowman snack inside, take naps in there, and so on and so forth. This will take up a lot of time, get the kids moving and using their muscles, allow a lot of creativity, and they will be SO PROUD of the end result. Not to mention, it will soon be the coziest place in the house. That is exactly what you need on a cold, winter day!
Of course, this is just a small list of activities. I wanted to touch on fine and visual motor, gross motor, and sensory-based activities. I would love to hear or see how you spent your snow day and weekend! Stay warm :).
Kaylie Stearns
Pediatric OT and Mommy
- Option 1: Mix 1/2 cup hair conditioner with 3 cups of baking soda
- Option 2: Mix some water into a bowl of baking soda with your hands until you get the desired consistency. Put plastic wrap or aluminum foil over the bowl and put it into the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to make it cold.
- Option 3: Microwave a bar of ivory soap for 1 1/2 minutes. This is a fun science experiment. Watch the bar of soap expand in the microwave. When you take it out, you can crumple the soap up into a bowl.
Refer to the blog Growing A Jeweled Rose for additional pictures and information.
4. Snowman snack/art- For a fun, healthy, interactive snack, consider making these delicious snowmen. Get a large toothpick or kabab stick, cut up thicker pieces of banana, and find some yummy ingredients to finish off your treat. Get creative!
Seen here, Happy Home Fairy used apples and berries to make the snowman hats, pretzel sticks for the arms, mini chocolate morsels for the buttons and eyes, and small pieces of carrot for the nose.
5. Indoor "Snow" Fort- Make the biggest, baddest fort of all time! Use your blankets, sheets, pillows, chairs, and tables. Create secret passage ways, make bedrooms, have a place for your dog to sleep, incorporate a radio and have a dance party on your knees, eat your snowman snack inside, take naps in there, and so on and so forth. This will take up a lot of time, get the kids moving and using their muscles, allow a lot of creativity, and they will be SO PROUD of the end result. Not to mention, it will soon be the coziest place in the house. That is exactly what you need on a cold, winter day!
Of course, this is just a small list of activities. I wanted to touch on fine and visual motor, gross motor, and sensory-based activities. I would love to hear or see how you spent your snow day and weekend! Stay warm :).
Peace Love and OT
Kaylie Stearns
Pediatric OT and Mommy
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