Jan 30, 09 | Posted by: Michelle Linsmeier, M.D.

Beating the winter blahs

It’s official.  My kids (and I) are bored with winter.  Don’t get me wrong.  We enjoy a good snowball fight or snowman building adventure as much as the next family.  But we’ve hit the point where the snowballs always manage to sink down our coat collars, and the snow never seems to be the right kind for a snowman.  Plus, it’s really cold outside!  We’re ready for winter to end (and it’s only the end of January)!

We have the winter blahs.  So what can we do?  I thought I’d take a turn on the blog brainstorming ideas for fun winter activities that others (in a similar situation) might find helpful.

The Journal Sentinel ran a story on January 4, 2009 with some great suggestions for fun around town.  You can still read it at “Indoor playgrounds take the chill out of winter“.   My family definitely enjoys playtime at Stonefire Pizza, Pump it Up and Family Fun Land in Germantown.  Other ideas that we’ve used this winter include ice skating at the Petit National Ice Center and finding open swim times at local pools like the YMCA and Swimtastic Swim Schools.  Also, open gym times at area gymnastic centers always tire my kids out!

What about those days when you need something to do in the afternoon, and you don’t have the time (or cash) to go somewhere?  Instead of a movie or TV show after nap time (if you’re lucky enough to get nap time!), try pushing the furniture back just a little bit in the living room and making an official dance floor.  Turn on some music (my daughter’s favorite is the soundtrack to “Chicken Little”).  Get everyone up and dancing. Turn it into a competition – who can dance the craziest, the longest, etc.  By the end of the disc, you will all be huffing and puffing and laughing out loud!

Whatever you do, keep them moving!  It keeps the winter blahs away, and promotes an overall healthy lifestyle.  Most importantly, have fun.  Hopefully, we’ll find warmer weather and spring just around the corner!

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