Beat The Winter Time Blues

Winter is sneaking right up on us, isn’t it? The chilly days filled with snow are fast approaching. For some of us that means outdoor sports like skiing and snowboarding, for many it means days cooped up inside the house. As a stay at home mom of toddlers, I know how long those days can get, trying to keep kids learning and having fun in the same place day after day. But beating the winter blues is possible with some of these fun indoor activities and treats of course!

I received samples and compensation for this post, however all opinions are my own.

Here are some of my sure fire ways to beat the winter blues with yours kids:

Make Something

Kids love to be creative. Wether it is clay beads, homemade play dough, or chocolate chip cookies, make something with your kids! Let them get messy and be in charge as much as possible. It will keep them entertained for hours! Plus, you will be building valuable skills with them at the same time!

Read, Read, Read!

Host a reading pajama party,let them get their own library card, come up with your own reading program with small rewards, write your own ABC book. Whatever you do make reading with your child a priority. Not only will you get to spend time snuggled up warm with your kids going on grand adventures, but you will encourage a lifelong skill! If they are older teach them to explore their interests and hobbies through books when winter weather may prevent them from otherwise participating. Does your child love skateboarding but the 2 feet of snow outside prevent him from going, get a book about a great skateboarder or one on how to learn new tricks!

Imaginative Play.

Throw a party, be the king of your castle, host a race car event. Anything is possible when you are using your imagination. Imaginative play is so healthy for kids and in a generation overtaken by electronics it needs to be encouraged! Not sure how to encourage imaginative play, find some great ideas here.

One of our favorite ways to encourage imagination is to host a teddy bear picnic. Grab your favorite stuffed friends and gather around your favorite treats for a fabulous afternoon of fun. Sometimes we will serve a full lunch and others just dessert, but on really special days we have our favorite treats, Kimberley’s Bakeshoppe Cupcakes.

Kimberley’s Bakeshoppe Cupcakes can be found at your local Kroger Stores and Wal-Marts and come in amazing gourmet and everyday flavors like vanilla and chocolate. My kids are in love with their Gourmet Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes, the cream cheese frosting is their favorite! I have a soft spot for their everyday Vanilla Cupcakes, at only $4.99 for 4 cupcakes we usually splurge and get two kinds!

These cupcakes bring the bakery right to your front door and make the perfect special treats for days when you really need to beat the winter blues! Not sure what your favorite kind of cupcake is? Take this Cupcake Personality Quiz to find out just which flavor suits you and win some prizes while you are at it!

How do you beat the winter time blues?