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Games for Children
Beat Those
Winter Blues!

by Janine Lynn
tlcpress@telusplanet.net

It's starting to get cooler outside, but don't worry! There's lots of fun things to do indoors!! These inexpensive, "boredom busting" ideas use items you probably already have in your home. Grab your kids and warm up those cold winter days with some great indoor fun.

Tabletop Hockey

Place heavy books around the edges of a table to form a rink (or tape cardboard strips around edge), leaving gaps for goals. Then, use Popsicle sticks or spoon handles for hockey sticks, and a wad of paper for a puck.

Toothpick Architecture

Build bridges, towers, buildings, etc. out of toothpicks joined together with wads of playdough, Sticky Tac, or wads of chewing gum.

For the Birds

With a needle and thread, string popcorn or Puffed Wheat to hang on trees for hungry birds to enjoy.

Wacky Windows

Mix together 1 Tbsp. paint powder and 1 Tbsp. liquid dish soap. With windowsill covered, paint flowers, butterflies, and other designs to decorate windows. To clean, wash off with wet rag.

Drizzle Designs

Mix together 2/3 C. flour, 2 Tbsp. salt, 2 Tbsp. sugar, 1/2 C. water. Add food coloring or paint powder, or for a great scent, use Kool-Aid powder. Pour into small squeeze bottle or cake decorator. Squeeze "goop" onto cardboard sheets (cut from cereal boxes), to make pictures or designs. Leave to dry.

Pinch-It Putty

Mix together 4 tsp. white glue, 3 Tbsp. cornstarch, and food coloring. Add more of either ingredient to get the desired consistency. Then, squeeze, pull, poke, and roll putty.

Make Your Own Butter

Pour 1/2 pint whipping cream into a 1 pint jar. Shake jar vigorously. When cream has seperated (after 10 minutes or so). drain buttermilk off. Mix in salt and serve on crackers or bread.

Shadow Shapes

In a dark room, shine a light from behind you onto a clear wall. Hold your hands in different ways to make funny animal shapes on the wall. Now, try holding stuffed animals and tracers up.

Tricky Toe Pics

For something really silly, hold a crayon or felt marker between your toes. Draw pictures and designs on paper taped to the floor.

Janine Lynn is a parent, author and educator. She is the author of Help! I'm Bored! - Over 300 Children's Activities for Ages 2 to 12. Read more about it at Amazon.com. Email Janine at tlcpress@telusplanet.net

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