25 Ways To Beat The Blahs

We may not be able to hibernate this winter, but there are some simple ways to make our homes feel more like cozy dens. The trick, I've found, is to have a ready list of activities that not only offer something to do when there's nothing to do, but that also bring spontaneity, good humor and anticipation into our family's life.

Here on the following pages, you'll find some of our favorites. I've avoided the obvious suggestions (presumably, you've already thought of sledding and puzzle books) in favor of alternates that have worked for my family and others we know on the grayest of indoor days.

While the appeal of this list to our southern readers might appear at first merely voyeuristic, the plans here are truly useful for anyone stuck inside in extreme weather any time of year--whether it's sleeting and cold or sweltering and humid. Boredom, after all, knows no season.