A cold wind is howling outside, and sleet is predicted for tomorrow. The children are home from school and whining that they’re bored. It’s that time of year again – midwinter break! Time to book a flight to Florida.
But
wait a minute… who said we can afford that? And who said it’s even a good idea?
If
you find yourself the “only” family on the block not departing for
fairer climes, don’t be disappointed and don’t despair. Here are some ideas for
stay-at-home activities to entertain everyone and bring you closer together as
a family.
Game Night
Game
night is all about laughter, friendly competition, and memorable moments. Start
by selecting a mix of games that cater to various preferences, ages, and skill
levels, ranging from classic board games like Scrabble and Monopoly to
interactive party games like Codenames or Pictionary. Try Kichel, too. Have the
kids split up into age groups that are appropriate for the different games and
skills.
Snacks
and upbeat music will create a positive atmosphere and motivate your kids to
get involved. Encourage a balance between competitiveness and lightheartedness,
and don’t be afraid to introduce new games to keep things exciting. Consider
having a designated game master, who can facilitate the rules, monitor the
different groups, and keep the momentum going. Most importantly – whether you’re
playing with family or friends – focus on enjoying each other’s company.
Photo Album
or Scrapbook
Scrapbooks and photo albums used to be casual
collections of photos or memorabilia pasted in an album. But this creative
activity had a revival a number of years ago and is now much more
sophisticated. The whole family can have fun and connect to each other
by creating a family scrapbook. Or family members can work side by side making
their own individual ones. Begin your nostalgic journey by looking through your
favorite photos and selecting those that evoke cherished memories.
Start
with a theme (like summer, winter, fall, or spring) or put your story in
chronological order. Experiment with different layouts, arranging photos and
mementos in a way that tells a visual narrative. Add a personal touch with
handwritten notes or captions, colorful papers, stickers, ribbons, and
embellishments. Small memorabilia, such as ticket stubs or postcards, add
texture and depth to the pages. As you immerse yourself in this artistic
process, enjoy the meditative quality of cutting, pasting, and crafting each
page. The finished album will not only be a beautiful keepsake but also a
tangible celebration of the moments that have shaped your family’s life.
Declutter
and Organize
Decluttering
the house doesn’t have to be a tedious task; it can actually be surprisingly satisfying,
with the end result of a more organized and enjoyable living space. Get the
kids to turn it into a family game. Set a timer for short, focused bursts of
cleaning, followed by short breaks. Turn on your favorite Yaakov Shwekey song
and share laughs and memories as you rediscover forgotten treasures. Consider a
reward system for reaching decluttering milestones, and treat everyone to their
favorite snacks or a special dinner when you’re all done.
A Cozy
Reading Nook
Creating
a special place for reading is a great project that will transform neglected corners
of your house into a haven of relaxation and literary escape for the children
(and you!). Start with a plush chair or comfortable window seat. Opt for warm,
soft lighting with floor or table lamps to create a soothing ambiance. Bring
the children to Walmart and let them choose cozy pillows and throws. Add potted
plants or fresh flowers to bring life and freshness to your reading nook. A
soft rug underfoot and a small side table for your coffee or tea enhance the
comfort factor. Finally, visit the bookstore and have each child choose a
special book to place on a nearby shelf or basket. Pretty soon, you’ll find the
kids fighting over the space. But they’ll just have to learn to take turns.
DIY Projects
Like decluttering, do-it-yourself projects are not
just for adults. Starting and completing a DIY project during a midwinter break
will keep the kids busy for hours on end. Start by selecting a project that
aligns with your kids’ interests and skill level – whether it’s making a trivet
out of old wine corks, sewing a colorful pillow or wall hanging, or building a
simple wooden birdhouse or a more complicated bookshelf. Don’t be afraid to
experiment, but make sure you have a good set of instructions. YouTube has a
plethora of how-to videos, or get a book from the library. Set aside a
workspace and gather all the necessary materials in advance to avoid
interruptions. Set realistic goals and break down large projects into smaller,
more manageable tasks. Take breaks to enjoy a warm drink or snacks. Relax!
Remember, the process is as important as the end result.
Arts and Crafts for Kids
Carton Critters are a fun activity for ages three to five. They’re
easy to make and can be simple or detailed – it’s up to you! Here’s what you do
to make them:
1) Cut the egg carton into individual cups and
glue them together to form the bodies of your critters. From the top half of
the carton, cut out any additional pieces (ears, wings, beaks, manes).
2) Paint your critter pieces, then assemble
using glue.
3) Add any finishing touches. Paint on whiskers, eyes, and noses to give your
critter some character! Use them as toys or put on display.
Magnetic
Slime is fun to make
for children aged nine and up. You’ll need liquid starch,
Elmer’s glue, iron
oxide powder, and a neodymium (rare earth) magnet. (A regular magnet won’t be strong enough.)
You can order the last two items on Amazon.
1) Pour
1/4 cup of white PVA glue (like Elmer’s) into a mixing bowl. You may have to
use a plastic spoon to scrape all the glue out of the cup.
2) Add 2 tablespoons
of iron oxide powder. Stir well. It will look like Oreo cookie crumbs!
3) Pour in
1/8 cup of liquid starch.
4) Stir the glue
and starch mixture really well. As soon as you begin to stir, the starch will
react with the glue and the slime will start to form. (I ended up with a little
bit too much starch. The way I could tell is that there was some unmixed starch
in the bowl and on the slime after I had stirred it well. To fix this, I rinsed
the slime for just a few seconds under cold water.)
5) Knead the slime with your hands. I
find that it helps to wash your hands after kneading the slime and before
playing with it. This helps to make the slime less sticky.
Troubleshooting: If your slime
is too sticky (glue-y), knead in a tiny bit more starch. If it’s too stringy,
knead in a little more glue. If your slime does not respond to your magnet, the
problem is the strength of your magnet. We ordered some new cylinder neodymium
magnets which did not turn out to be strong enough!
Important safety notes: Neodymium magnets
are extremely strong! Fingers can easily get pinched when trying to
separate the magnets. Be sure to keep the magnets away from cell phones,
computers, and other electronics, and especially small children! These small magnets are very dangerous if
swallowed.
Also, iron
oxide powder is not good to breathe. This is why we mixed our iron
in with the glue. Some recipes on the internet recommend kneading the iron
oxide powder into the finished slime. We tried that approach, and besides being
super messy, I think it’s much more likely to stir up the iron oxide dust.
What do you do with magnetic slime? It’s fun to use the magnet to push and pull the slime around.
Or you embed the magnet in it and stick it on surfaces like the fridge and
decorate it with letters and words!
Indoor
Gardening
You
might not be in tropical Miami Beach, but indoor gardening brings a similar exotic
touch of nature into the heart of your home. Cultivating a mini-oasis indoors
allows you to nurture plants year-round, improving air quality and adding a
sense of tranquility to your home. Succulents, snake plants, spider plants, and
pothos are beautiful and easy to grow. Put them in decorative containers and
make sure they have adequate sunlight, either from the sun or grow lights. Children,
especially, are fascinated by watching plants grow. Teach them how to water,
prune, (and even talk to!) the plants. Embrace these therapeutic aspects of
tending to your indoor garden and watch your green companions flourish.
Cooking and
Baking
Cooking
and baking are enjoyable and therapeutic activities that nourish both body and
soul. And it’s not just about the end result; rather, it is a journey of
creativity, exploration, and self-expression. Start by letting the kids pick a
recipe they like: something new, perhaps, or a favorite supper dish. Don’t be
afraid to experiment with flavors or tweak a recipe to suit your taste. Invite
the children to measure, mix, chop, or knead, depending on their age. Call
their attention to the textures, colors, and aromas of the different
ingredients, and explain the function of each. When you’re all done, let the
whole family relish the satisfaction of a perfectly baked cake or a savory
dish.
Hot Cocoa
Bombs
These
sweet cold-weather treats are a delicious and visually appealing way to enjoy
hot cocoa. You’ll need:
High-quality
chocolate (dark, milk, or white)
Hot cocoa mix
Mini
marshmallows
Sprinkles,
crushed candy canes, or other toppings (optional)
Equipment:
Silicone
half-sphere molds
Small pastry
brush
Piping bag or
plastic sandwich bag
Baking sheet
Chop
the chocolate into small, even pieces. Place about two-thirds of the chocolate
into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in
between, until the chocolate is fully melted. Be careful not to overheat.
Coat the molds: Use a small pastry
brush to coat the inside of each mold with a layer of melted chocolate. Make
sure to cover the entire surface evenly. This will form the shell of the hot
cocoa bomb. Place the coated molds on a baking sheet and freeze for about 10
minutes or until the chocolate is set.
To create the shells, carefully remove
the chocolate from the molds. Fill half of the shells with hot cocoa mix, mini
marshmallows, and any additional toppings you desire. Place a small
microwave-safe plate in the microwave and heat it for a few seconds until warm.
Quickly press the edge of the empty half shell onto the warm plate to slightly
melt. Immediately join the halves together to form a complete sphere. Hold and
press gently to seal.
Melt
a small amount of chocolate and use it to seal the seam of the cocoa bomb,
ensuring it’s completely closed. Optional:
Drizzle melted chocolate over the cocoa bombs or sprinkle with
additional toppings for decoration. Allow the cocoa bombs to set completely.
You can place them in the refrigerator or freezer for faster results.
To make hot cocoa, place a bomb in a
mug and pour hot milk over it. Watch as the chocolate shell melts, revealing
the cocoa mix and marshmallows inside.
