When there’s nothing to do.

As I look ahead to the long, cold days of January and February, I have equal parts depression and childlike excitement.

Growing up, I don’t remember winter being too long. Or too cold. Or too dark. As a kid, winter was just a different season. One in which we played outside until our mittens were soaked through and our toes were numb. Well past dark, we would play thanks to the light of the dining room windows. There were tunnels to be dug. Hills to be sled down. Snowmen to build and angels to make.

Days that were too cold for outdoors play (and I’m sure there were many) were still fun and memorable. So what was it that we did on those days? I find myself looking to my winters’ past to find a way to bear my winters’ future.

If my children and I are to spend most of our winter days car-less and indoors, what can we do to make winter a season as special summer?

Here are some ideas I am looking forward to trying now that I’m the mom. I’ll have to save some of the ideas for when Ainsley is a little older. Or I can do them myself while she naps.

1. Homemade playd0h and gak. I would imagine there are recipes online, or some mom’s out there can probably remember.
2. Homemade crayons. We used to take all the stubby leftover crayon pieces and melt them in lined muffin tins in the oven to make new “super” crayons. I love the smell of crayons. I also love “Waste not, want not.”
3. Salt letters. Pour salt into a baking dish and practice writing letters, numbers, shapes, what have you. Tactile is my middle name.
4. Baking. Who doesn’t want a brownie at the end of the day?
5. Bringing the outside in. Bowls of snow are fun and fairly clean for indoor play. Plus the snow gets wet and is very moldable; ideal for making tiny indoor snowmen and villages.
6. Boxes. When are we too old to play in boxes?
7. Forts. Our entire living room would be converted into a fort for days at a time. With enough blankets, couch cushions, and chairs — anything is possible.
8. Decopage. (*A project for older kids or with LOTS of help from mama.* And the point here is to use what you have in the house already.) Grab a few old magazines (good grief — don’t buy them just for this reason), and start cutting out pictures or words. Glue them onto old jars or cans (without sharp edges) with Modge Podge (or something less toxic). Voila! Decorative pencil cups and coin jars.
9. Write a book. With a few pieces of paper, crayons, and a literate adult, books are easy to make. Get creative. Use an old journal. Or tape a few sheets of paper together. I might try using an empty/blank scrapbook so that we can swap out the pages/stories easily. I think we’ll also use real photos so that Ainsley can read stories about people she knows.
10. Crafts. We made lizard key chains out of pony beads. Necklaces out of glass beads. Macaroni and bean art. Stitching. There is tons of stuff out there, and some of it can be really inexpensive. Get an idea online or visit a craft store. Then find a way of doing it on the cheap. Since Ainsley’s too little to really treasure her crafts, I plan on using free/used items from around the house instead of costly craft kits (and then re-using the stuff the next time).
11. Music. Music was a huge part of my childhood. There was always music in our house. Some music led us to put on productions of the songs (“Rhinoceros Tap”, anyone?). Some music led me to write and perform my own songs. I think music can open a child up to new kinds of creativity. I’m so happy Ainsley can plunk on piano keys, asks us to sing songs at every meal, and now has a tiny collection of small instruments (some homemade, others were gifts).
12. Instruments. Speaking of homemade instruments, I made a lot them as a kid. Tissue box/paper towel/rubberband guitars. Wax paper horns. Macaroni and bean tamborines. Oh the fun. Oh the noise. It’s what being a kid is all about.
13. Dress up. Need I say more?

So there you have it. My childhood memories of winters spent at the kitchen table and under a blanket fort. I’m sure my mom can remind me of a few others I’ve missed. And I’m sure you have a few favorites you can share. Please do!!!

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