Shorter days and longer nights often mean that kids have to troop home much earlier in the day, leaving a lot of time for that monster called boredom. Now that the winter holidays are here, does your little muchkin have a case of the winter blues? Are they going crazy cooped up indoors in the cold? Take advantage of the shorter day to snuggle with your children, keep them away from all kinds of screens and try one of shumee’s favourite things to do.
1 Make a winter snack
Who can resist a warm muffin or a warm roasted corn-on-the-cob or just simple Sweet and spicy popcorn on a cool winter evening? Corn on the cob, gajak and rewari, til patti and warm gajar halwa. Just mentioning these makes our mouth water. Take advantage of the love for food and make a snack together. Give them tasks in the kitchen and don’t forget to mention how important they are. If they’re tiny, give them a carrot to play or a song to sing to keep you entertained. If they can handle things, ask them to smash an elaichi, become a food taster or tell you a story as you cook away.
2 Get on board with games
Pull out those board games that had taken a break in the warmer months when you played outdoors all hours. From the simple Ludo and Skittles or exciting build and balance games like Ninjaki and puzzles, play with your little ones and bask in their sunny smiles and warm laughter. Or using building blocks with family to create castles and new worlds.
3 Snuggle with a book
Be it a blizzard or a cold evening, a good book is a perfect companion to snuggle with in any weather. Ask them to cuddle with one under the blanket or if you live in a warmer part of the country, on a park bench. Encourage them to write their own with the tell-me-a-story cubes from shumee. Do give an apple for them to munch on while they turn the pages.
4 Put up a show
Winter evenings are perfect to put up a quick skit or a puppet show. Give your little ones the responsibility of putting up a show together. This will keep them busy the whole of evening, or maybe a few days to prep. Post dinner, change into warm PJs, gather all adults in the house and huddle under a blanket as the kids enact the skit. If you so feel like, join them in a performance or ask grandparents to be part of the play. Just don’t forget to share some finger foods or popcorn!
5 Catch up on the family tree
That last aunt at the wedding who pulled your little one’s cheeks; did they know who she was? Get out the photo albums and play up a quiz for your munchkins. How many people do your little ones recognise? Brr winters are a great time to talk about the extended family. After all with family and friends, the more is always the merrier, isn’t it?
6 Breathe in some sunshine
Scorching summers keep us indoors during day buts winter are a great time to plan a picnic in your own garden or some spot nearby. Go out and soak in some Vitamin D. Go on a trek and watch the bees and the butterflies work their magic. Don’t forget to pack in some oranges, sandwiches, nuts and water bottles.
7 Invent your own new games
Stack up empty plastic jars on and roll an old pair of socks into a ball to scatter the tower’. Or better yet, just get your shumee skittles out and have a great time. Build a fort together out of chairs and blankets. Pitch an indoor tent. Kick a soft ball with chairs as goal posts.
8 Create a treasure trail
Look in the crook of a rain tree or under a rock. On the wall or in the parking lot. Hide little clues for kids to follow and lead them to a treasure of warm food or their favourite snack. If they’re a little older, ask them to build a treasure hunt trail for you. That will keep them busy for hours. The great outdoors or just within the walls of your home, the idea to have fun.
9 Craft a snowman without snow
Oh, yes everyone absolutely must have one for this season. You can make yours with newspapers. Built it, glue it up, stick it together, print it, paint it and mark it with your own symbols. Little ones enjoy making things and anything they make is perfect. So what are you waiting for? Look at some easy to do crafts and sit in under the sun or a warm rug at home and get your master-craftsmen to make a piece of art.
10 Let them teach
Kids are fantastic learners but they’re even better teachers. Make them a teacher for a day and ask them to teach an art, a craft or a trick to adults. We especially suggest this for grandparents. Let them teach adults how to do tumbles, touch your tongue on your chin or how to draw a cow. You’ll head giggles fill up your home in no time.