Written by Maggie Mull
With the winter air continuing to drop temperatures below freezing, it becomes more enticing to spend quality time with family indoors. The enclosed space may make your options of activity feel limited, but this is not the case. Listed below are various pastimes bound to entertain both you and the children in your life.
Bake or Cook
The kitchen is a perfect place to spend a snowy day! Take the time to learn a new recipe or pass your favorite on to the future generation. This activity provides a great opportunity to teach younger children about measurement and counting, as well as the importance of safety and awareness. In the end, you’ll have delicious treats that come from the heart.
Build A Fort
The process of constructing a fort requires creativity, determination, and, likely, all the pillows and blankets available. Once put together, it provides a comfortable hideaway from the cold weather. Tell stories in the dark—but not just the scary ones! Invite children into your past by recounting tales of your life. This allows you to impart wisdom and strengthen connections.
Celebrate Summer
Missing the warmth of summer? Usher it in early with a celebratory indoor picnic. Spread out an easily washable blanket or rug and prepare lunch or snacks. Don’t forget to invite a child’s stuffed animals to share in the fun!
Craft
Crafting can take on many unique forms. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when choosing a creative endeavor. Make use of any assorted materials that may be lying around, such as buttons, popsicle sticks, or scrap paper. Indulge in your artistic side and draw inspiration from your environment. This approach can teach children the skills of resourcefulness and innovation. For a more classic winter craft, consider making paper snowflakes. Each will end up as unique and special as your loved ones.
Explore STEM
Exploring STEM independently is a great way to introduce children to its many diverse fields. Looking to support the bird population? Consider crafting a homemade eco-friendly bird feeder. To do so, tie six to eight inches of string to the tip of a pinecone. Cover the pinecone in melted peanut butter and roll it in birdseed. Hang it in a place where you can birdwatch from the comfort of the indoors. Look for cardinals, sparrows, and finches, all common winter birds of Lancaster County. To entertain a larger group, consider undertaking the spaghetti marshmallow tower challenge. The goal is to construct the largest standing tower when given the same amount of time and materials. Any leftover marshmallows can be added to the winner’s hot chocolate!
Hold a Movie Marathon
For a more relaxed day in, set up a comfortable space in front of the TV using any extra blankets and pillows on hand. Consider making themed treats: for a winter-related movie, combine marshmallows, chocolate chips, pretzel sticks, and orange candies to make melted snowman trail mix. The classic snack of popcorn is also sure to please any audience. Curate the movie selection based on the options available to you. The iconic films “Frosty the Snowman,” “The Polar Express,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will spread winter cheer to all who watch. For a more recent kid favorite, consider “Frozen” (I, II, or both!).
Play Games
Playing games is always an enjoyable way to pass the time. There are an endless number of options to choose from, ranging from board games to guessing games. With just a deck of cards, you can play War, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, and more. There are a variety of games you can play with no materials, including charades, 20 Questions, and I Spy. Conducting a miniature trivia competition using topics of your choice is also a good way to engage children’s minds while enjoying each other’s company.
Interested in showing off your trivia skills on a larger level? Attend Trivia Through the Decades, held by members of the Garden Spot High School’s National Honor Society. The event brings together teams of both students and residents for a friendly competition. Join us from 7 to 8 pm on Wednesday, March 19th at the Garden Spot Village Chapel. We hope to see you there!
Fun can be had despite the frigid winter weather. Simply spending quality time with those who are important to you can brighten up a gloomy day. Stay warm!
Resident profile: Bob and Rosey Hess’s grandchildren love to spend time at Garden Spot Village. To young children, the community is a playland of adventure! Watch a video with their granddaughter Emily or read Bob and Rosey’s testimonial.