Sound familiar? Winter is dragging on and cabin fever is running high in your home. The kids are bored, and as a stay-at-home parent, you can’t wait for winter to be over already. Save your sanity by trying out some budget-friendly winter activities. Here are some winter activities for stay-at-home parents that you can do right now to combat the winter blues.

Make the Most of a Snow Day

Ah, good old snow days. They’re great for kids but can be major stressors for parents.
But fear not, snow outside lends itself to lots of classic outdoor activities!

Take the kids outside to play in the snow and build a snowman or toss snowballs. Even better, round up some neighborhood kids and parents and build the biggest, most amazing snow fort you can.

If you live in a hilly area, sledding is the ideal way to spend a snowy morning or afternoon. Walking uphill through the snow dragging a sled is an excellent way to get a workout. Then you are rewarded with an exciting ride through the powdery whiteness. And when everyone is tired out, head home and enjoy snacks and hot cocoa in front of the fire or wrapped in cozy blankets.

If your family is very active, why not try a more strenuous winter activity like cross-country skiing or snowshoeing? Both of these activities are challenging, and cross-country skiing is a great workout that you can do locally. No need to live near the slopes or to take an expensive ski trip!

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

No snow in sight? No problem! When the weather is too warm or too sunny for snow, there are still plenty of outdoor winter activities.

If your family enjoys skiing, you can plan a trip to a ski lodge in your area, where there are plenty of activities in the winter. Another option is to go ice skating, which can be great fun for the whole family. Even if there are no outdoor rinks near you, chances are you will be able to find an indoor skating venue.

Some other ideas for outdoor winter activities are going for a cold-weather hike, a brisk walk in the woods, or roasting marshmallows over a backyard bonfire. For any of these activities, bring along a thermos of hot chocolate for a warm, delicious treat.

Learn Some Fun Facts

Who says learning can’t be fun? The winter months are a great time to check out indoor venues that are both educational and fun for kids. These can be museums and science centers, or events hosted at your local library or community center.

If you decide to bring the family to a museum, make sure to check out the museum in advance to see if there are any family day events being offered. Many museums feature a family day once a month where there is free or discounted entry to the museum and sometimes kid-centered events going on.

Libraries and community centers can also be great places to visit with your kids. They usually have family programs like art classes, mommy-child events, plays or even kids’ yoga.

Check Out Your Parks and Rec Department

What’s happening in your community? Keep an eye out for local festivals, fairs or shows that the whole family can enjoy. It’s best to check out city papers or websites to see what events will be taking place this season.

Keep a look out for kid-friendly plays and performances, and also activities like craft shows, family fun days or winter festivals.

And don’t forget about your local parks department! They can be a real wealth of activities, including nature walks, bird watching tours and art classes. Depending on your location, you may also find parent-child cooking classes, hiking or camping trips, and an array of sports and dance programs. Given the array of activities offered by parks departments, you are almost certain to find something that will appeal to the whole family.

Don’t Let the Winter Blues Get You Down

Beat the winter blues by making the most of snow days and exploring what local activities are available in your area. If there is no snow, make the most of mild, sunny days by enjoying the great outdoors. The winter months are also a great time to see a play or performance, explore a museum, or take a parent-child art or exercise class. Don’t let the cold weather leave you housebound when there’s plenty out there for you and your kids to explore!

Now over to you – what are some of your favorite winter activities to do with your kids? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page!