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Cabin Fever Cures

by Rae Pica

Is it way too cold or snowy to go outside? Cabin fever getting to you and the kids? Here are a couple of indoor games siblings, or children invited for a play date, can enjoy in the house. The problem solving involved in each game should mean that they’ll stay occupied for a while! You can participate, too, if you’d like; but it’s not required.

The Snake. This game teaches children the meaning of the word slither, while also promoting cooperation and teamwork. Additionally, the cross-lateral experience (moving left leg and right arm simultaneously, and vice versa) require that the two hemispheres of the brain communicate across the corpus callosum (the matter connecting the hemispheres). This communication is essential to later reading and writing skills!

The children pair off, stretching out on their stomachs, one in front of the other. The child in back takes hold of the ankles of the child in front, forming a two-person “snake.” The object of the game is for the snake to see how far it can slither without breaking apart.

If there are more than two players available, the snake can grow accordingly!

The Tightrope. Have the children ever witnessed acrobats walking a tightrope in the circus? With jump ropes laid in straight lines on the floor, the children can pretend to be acrobats walking a tightrope. Simply ask them to explore all the different things they can do on it – including the different directions in which they can walk – and stand back and let them discover!