But whichever side you are on, you will agree that winter is the perfect time to bask before the heaters and get cosy with you loved ones. Check out Ms T’s creative ideas for some family fun to keep your children occupied through the winter when it is too cold to take them out. Happy holidays!
1) Winter crafting: Arts and crafts are almost always the best way to spend lazy afternoons indoors, regardless of the weather. Not only does art keep children busy for hours on end, it also allows their imagination to flourish and develops their creative sense. Invest in some chart paper and colours and await the masterpiece your child conjures up. You can make winter-themed crafts like homemade snowflakes using just glitter and some printer paper, or tiny snowmen by sticking wads of cotton on plain paper. An easy way to maintain your child’s interest in crafting is by displaying their art on the fridge or bedroom walls to make them happy. Whatever you do, make sure you keep a watchful eye over them lest they create a mess.
2) Indoor ice-skating: All you need is some butter paper, rubber bands and a carpet and the kids are ready for a skating adventure in your own home. Tie the butter paper around their feet and secure with the rubber bands. Add some upbeat dance beats and children will love the thrill of sliding around and even falling. It’s a whole lot of slippery fun!
3) Build a fortress: If it gets too chilly or too dark outside for your kids to play during their winter holidays, we have the perfect antidote: a fortress in your living room. Give them lots of sheets and assign a corner behind your couch or underneath the dining table for them to build a fort. Once it’s ready, hide inside with some fun board games or a stack of books to read together. Warning though: make sure you only use old linen as anything is prone to stains and rips when children are involved.
4) Holiday info-sessions: Who said learning can’t be fun? Schools may be off for the winter but you can still teach your children a useful thing or two. Make a list of all holidays or major events that take place during the winter season and teach your children the background and importance of each. Some of the main winter events include Christmas, Quaid-e-Azam Day and the Chinese New Year that falls arround end of January, 2014. This will boost your child’s general knowledge and keep them productive during their school break.
5) New Year’s family resolution: Winter season means the New Year is just round the corner; a perfect opportunity to instil some good habits into your family. Round up your clan and list some positive changes you wish to make together for the coming year, such as starting a weekly family game night, saving up or simply a household chore wheel. Use small gifts to encourage the children to abide by their resolution. It doesn't matter what you choose to do so long as you all do it together.
Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, December 22nd, 2013.
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