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As winter drags on and on, families can begin to feel a bit stir crazy. The longer we stay inside, the smaller our house seems to be and the more we can get on each other’s nerves. Sometimes what we need is a fun family activity to break us out of the winter doldrums.
- Have a family game night. Turn off the TV and the video games and settle in for some time playing favorite board games. As we relax and compete with each other, laughter and chatter fill the room. Even the most reluctant family members become enthusiastic as good moves are celebrated.
- Make a family patchwork pillow. Cut out 6-inch-square pieces of fabric (inexpensive muslin will do) and allow each person in the family to decorate a square or two with fabric markers. By stitching four squares together with an easy straight stitch, we have created the front of a pillow destined to be an heirloom. Families with more ambition might create enough squares to make a quilt.
- Visit someplace new. Even though we have lived in Rochester for a long time, we are constantly amazed when we find a new local "tourist attraction" we have never seen. By doing a little research on the computer, we can find all kinds of interesting, low-cost places to discover.
- Get gooey with homemade facials. Whipping up a batch of "natural" beauty products can be as simple as mashing an avocado and mixing it with a bit of honey. Seeing family members with green faces almost guarantees laughter.
- Bundle up and go for a "dark walk." A family walk after dark has a magical feel and can be a wonderful activity. Follow a chilly walk with a cup of warm decaf cocoa and a good night’s sleep is sure to follow.
Trying any new activity can be a lifesaver for our family at this point in the winter. Please add you ideas for inexpensive activities in the comments section.
