THE GREAT MARBLE CHALLENGE
A marble, some paper towel tubes and tape can be the basis for this fun game. Challenge your kids to move a marble from one spot to another through tube tunnels. Start easy (say, from a chair to the other side of the room), then get harder (around the corner and downstairs).
DANCE TO THE MUSIC
In the absence of sunlight, fill your home with another sensory pleasure, namely music. Put on some upbeat tunes and play Do What I Do. The leader performs a motion and everyone dances around the rug doing it. Switch leaders with every song.
CLIPBOARDS, INC.
Hand your kids clipboards (to set an industrious mood) and give them each an assignment. For example, they might need to draw a treasure map, invent a better flyswatter, create a secret code or write a mock newspaper article about what's happening outside the window.
HAVE FUN WITH FOIL
One roll of aluminum foil can provide an instant cure for the doldrums. Your kids can shape it into crowns, animal models or an army of toy knights.
SURPRISE BAGS
Before winter starts, assemble a few grab bags to open in emergencies
(sick days, snow days, terrible moods). Fill a paper bag with a few ingredients for fast fun and set aside until needed. Here are some suggestions:
• A bunch of googly eyes, pom-poms and glue for making creatures
• A recipe for play clay and all the ingredients to make it, plus a few sculpting tools
• A set of paper dolls, plus scissors and gift wrap for making a wardrobe
• A yo-yo and a book of yo-yo tricks
• A pair of plain sneakers and some fabric markers
• A magnifying glass, a "spy notebook" and a secret code to break
THE PROJECT TABLE
Winter lends itself to indoor projects, which can mean lots of tedious setting up and cleaning up. A better option, if you have room, is to devote a small table to ongoing projects, such as LEGO construction, modeling with clay, paper doll dressing, drawing and model making. Instead of having to clean up, kids can simply return another day. For added inspiration, post a list of great projects at the table.
MUNCH ON MARSHMALLOWS
Why should marshmallows be only a summer delicacy? After dinner, toast up a few in your fireplace or over a grill. For a true taste of summer, make s'mores. Serve with a big glass of sunny lemonade.
SCULPT SOME SNACKS
Mix up a batch of this versatile pie dough (blend 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/3 cup of shortening, 1/3 cup of butter and 5 tablespoons of cold water), but don't bother making pies. Let the kids turn their dough into sculptures and bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Or make mock snickerdoodles: Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Spread on 1 1/2 tablespoons of softened butter, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, roll it into a log, cut into pinwheels and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
BUSY TOWN, USA
In a relatively out-of-the-way place (Read: not in the middle of the kitchen), let your kids set up a miniature town with their whole slew of toys: wooden blocks, tiny plastic people and animals, miniature cars, the train set. Each child picks characters, arranges the homes and businesses of her imagination and puts out her shingle for customers. If you've got shrink plastic from the craft supply store, you can even let them make miniature signs for the town.
BRING THE OUTDOORS INDOORS
Shake things up by suggesting the kids play some classic outdoor games inside--playing marbles, blowing bubbles, playing jacks, even setting up a modified indoor croquet game (with long cardboard tube mallets and Nerf balls). If you have a playroom, you might also let the kids set up a semipermanent fort or campsite with a blanket tent. For extra-cooped-up times, you could even bring in some of the smaller yard toys (we moved in our Little Tykes slide one long winter) so kids can get their exercise.
FIND THE BUTTONS
It's simple but a perennial favorite in our house. Hide a handful of buttons or pennies around the house, then turn your kids loose. First one to find 20 buttons wins a small prize.
OPEN A TREASURE BOX
Decorate an old index card box as a miniature treasure chest. Fill it with mystery keys, buttons, broken watches, junk jewelry, plastic sheriff's badges and other odds and ends. On one of those afternoons when everyone's feeling cross, pass around the box and let everyone select one treasure.
HAVE A PICNIC
At dinnertime, surprise your kids with a little change of scenery. Spread out a blanket on the living room floor, pack up your dinner in a basket and have some fun eating your dinner picnic-style.
