Cures for Cabin Fever

As the days get shorter and winter weather takes a turn for the worse, children spend more time indoors. Without fresh air and opportunities for vigorous outdoor play, kids can get that cooped-up, bored, restless feeling we call "cabin fever." Stuck indoors, too many children spend long hours watching television or playing video games, neither of which help them release excess energy or use their time creatively. Here are some ideas for reducing cabin fever and curing the "I'm bored. There's nothing to do," blues.

1. Provide opportunities for vigorous physical activity.

Bundle up children for cold weather and let them play outside for short periods of time. When that isn't possible, allow them to play actively indoors. Parents and children can dance or practice aerobics together. Parents may designate a space in the house where it is ok to wrestle and roughhouse. Furnish the space with old rugs and cushions and set limits on how rough kids can get. When you're changing the sheets on a bed (and you're in no particular rush), take a few minutes to play with your child. Drape the sheets over furniture and pretend it is a cave to explore.

Parents' Choice Picks:

Fitness, Yoga and a Healthy Lifestyle
Kids of all ages will be running, jumping, dancing, striking a pose or two, and learning lifelong healthy habits with these fitness and yoga products.

Treasure Hunting
Follow our suggestions for a treasure trove of entertaining indoor activities that are sure to stretch your children's limbs as well as their imaginations.

Introducing Fitness Through Playful Activities
Establishing a fit and healthy lifestyle is vital - for parents and kids. Parents' Choice offers the following suggestions for products designed to introduce and encourage physical fitness in young children from infants to age 6.

2. Drop everything when it snows.

Unless it's bitterly cold outside, let kids play in the snow. They can build snowmen or snow forts, make snow angels, go sledding and throw snowballs (at safe targets only, please).

Parents' Choice Picks:

Decorate a Snowman Kit
Ages: 5 & Up
HearthSong, $29.95

Iguanas in the Snow / Iguanas en la nieve: and Other Winter Poems / y otros poemas de invierno
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
Author: Francisco X. Alarcon    Illustrator: Maya Christina Gonzalez
Children's Book Press, $15.95

3. Look for fun winter sports - outdoors and in.

Ice-skating is a great winter sport, providing lots of challenge and vigorous exercise. Many rinks are open to the public. Bowling is a terrific indoor activity that offers friendly, fun-filled competition.

4. Put together a creative arts and crafts kit.

Get a goodsized plastic storage box and fill it with some or all of the following items:

Bring the kit out when your child is looking for something to do or when you want to do something interesting with him.