Head to a Museum– Greater Cincinnati boasts many museums catering to all ages and interests, from art and history to hands-on science exploration. Wear your walking shoes for these intriguing excursions.
Go Roller Skating– Today’s rinks are great for kids and parents alike. If you’ve never roller-skated, classes are sometimes offered at the rinks and will have your wheels spinning in no time.
Create an Indoor Snow Family– Purchase white and black clay from an arts and crafts store. Roll snow people out of the white clay and shape hats with the black. Make arms with tiny twigs, scarves from narrow fabric strips, eyes and buttons out of whole pepper, and noses from broken orange colored toothpicks.
Tour a Manufacturing Plant– Tours are often available to the public even when not publicized. If there’s a plant that your family would like to check out, call and see what’s offered.
Make up Funny Skits, and Put on a Show– Choose household products, and create silly advertisements about them. Make up goofy songs or poems about each product, and dress up for the part. Be sure to record the skits for great family memories.
Hold a Winter Movie Fest– Invite friends over for a lazy day of videos. Rent a selection of movies and ask everyone to bring pillows or beanbag chairs, and don’t forget the popcorn and hot chocolate. If you’ve had enough of winter, make it a Hawaiian luau. Choose movies with summery or vacation themes, serve cold drinks with little umbrellas and fruit on top, and don’t forget the beach towels for stretching out.
Put Together a Winter Emergency Kit– A car emergency kit should include spare hats, mittens, scarves and boots as well as a flashlight and other items needed in case of a roadside emergency. Your home kit should include items for a snow-in or power loss. Have everyone work together to create a list and gather items for your kits.
String a Snowflake Streamer– Make snowflakes by folding white paper several times and trimming different shapes around the edges. Open the snowflakes, string them on a piece of yarn and hang them across the room.
Visit the Library– At the library, learn how and where to find books on your children’s favorite interests such as sports, science or a hobby and choose several to take home. Also, borrow music CDs, audio books, videos, computer games, and magazines for plenty of indoor entertainment.
Kimberly Blaker is an author and syndicated writer.