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During winters in Atlantic Canada, it doesn’t take long to realize that cabin fever is a very real thing. Being cooped up with energetic little ones can be fun if you try some new things (coffee and patience don’t hurt either).  Here are a few tips to survive a snow day with the family.

Get outside (if it’s not too miserable!) Don’t be afraid to bundle up your bundle of joy and enjoy a winter’s day. Load up on snow gear and find a great toddler sled with a rope pull and seat belt strap. Make snow angels, throw some snow around, or make your own Frosty the Snowman.

Change the scenery. Find new areas to play throughout the house. Some families have a play area in with an art table, tent, play kitchen, and a gaggle of toys. Head to the living room.  Get a basket of toys and books in the main living room and stash a few favorites in a bedroom as well. If you don’t have a basement, set up a play area in the kitchen (somehow Tupperware can entertain a toddler for a long time) or build a reading fort in a spare bedroom. Just keep the kiddos moving throughout the day.

Make something! It can be anything: cookies, crayon art or a construction paper collage. The key is to get excited and do it together. Even the youngest toddlers can help you roll out cookie dough or sprinkle in chocolate chips. New experiences are fun and refreshing for parents and children alike.

Try painting. Set up with a sturdy table cloth and don’t be afraid to make a little mess. Get some brushes and get creative.  Finger painting is also so much fun!  A little messier but a crowd favorite for sure.  Just let lose that inner Picasso!

Break out a jigsaw puzzle or board game. Whether you’re rocking the snow day solo or with the whole family, you can have a lot of old-fashioned fun by dusting off a puzzle or board game.

Or try some baking.  Nothing is homier than the smell of fresh-baked cookies. Even if you have never made anything more complex than slice-and-bake cookies, following the recipe on the back of the bag of chocolate chips or oatmeal canister is an easy way to get started as a from-scratch baker. This does not have to be Cake Boss worthy.  Most people will be able to find the ingredients in their kitchen for a simply chocolate chip cookie or you can get a cheater pack from the grocery store and just lay the premade cookies on a baking sheet.  Presto.  Baking made easy!

Try to find something “new.”  A new toy or book that is stashed away for the next snow day can be a huge hit and a nice surprise and can help keep those little minds and hands interested.

When all else fails: Cinderella, Captain Jack or C3PO to the rescue.  A snow day is an excellent excuse to cozy up and watch a movie together.  Proclaim it as pajama day, complete with warm drinks and tasty snacks. Just get comfortable.  A movie Marathon might be just what everyone needs – everything in a franchise, everything staring your favorite actor, or select films from a best-of-list.

Enjoy your snow day.