SANITY SAVER: 5 Fun Free Snowless Activities for Kids

Christmas has come and gone.  The presents have been opened.  Your kids loved them and played with them and enjoyed them.  But the enjoyment has already ended and school hasn't yet begun.  What do you do?  Your lovely children are beginning to drive you nuts!  Try these activities, whether you have snow or not, to occupy your kids (for a few minutes anyway) so you can take a well-deserved break!

SANITY SAVER Activities:

My son enjoying his fort

1. Build a Fort in you Living Room
So simple.  So easy.  Your kids will love it!  All you need are two chairs and a blanket and voila! Instant entertainment for kids of all ages.  My  3 year old son and 18 month old daughter were occupied for an hour when I built this yesterday.  They brought in pillows to sit/sleep on, flashlights and play food.  It was a GREAT break for me.

Snow ball scarves

2. Have a Snow Ball Fight
But, but, but....isn't this a "snow free" list?  Yes, but now you have a fort, you MUST have a snow ball fight.  It's written in the kid handbook.  Didn't you get it?  So in order to have a snow ball fight that is snow free you must substitute something soft for the snow.  How about all those scarves and mitts you aren't wearing because you are inside?  Simply wrap an elastic around a balled up scarf and ta-da! Instant snow ball!  You may need to create some in-home rules so your treasured nick-knacks don't get broken but I assure you your kids will love this!  It will be one of those activities your kids will ask to do over and over again.


3. Snow Cones
Again with the snow?  Yes, but this snow you bring in the house or you can make yourself.  Simply follow the  recipe on the Disney Family website  (substitute snow for the crushed ice if you have real snow on hand).  The great thing about this recipe is that you can duplicate it on real sweltering summer days too.


4. Act Out your Child's Favorite Story
This can be a story from books, television or movies.  You can use costumes and props if you'd like (and make a BIG production of it) or just use a theatrical voice and change it for the different characters.  My son LOVES this!  He asks for it all the time!  His favorite show is "The Magic School Bus" on PBS.  My husband and I take turns re-telling the stories from episodes he's seen.  He loves when we incorporate him into the story.  Remember to also use key phrases that your child knows and can repeat with you.  It encourages listening and teaches them story telling too.


5. Roast Marshmallows

We love marshmallows!

This time of year is a lovely time of year for building and cuddling in front of a cozy fire.  And the best way to cuddle is with a tummy full of marshmallows!  Another activity my kids LOVE is roasting marshmallows in the fire place.  They are so melty and delicious! If you have the ingredients on hand you could also create S'mores (chocolate, marshmallow, graham cracker.  Yum!).

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