by JoAnn Powell

Created on: November 24, 2009   Last Updated: November 27, 2009

Winter activities for kids need to be something that holds their interest and can also encourage creativity and independent thinking. While video games and movies can keep them occupied on cold winter days, presenting new and fun activities can be a challenge to any parent.

Here are some activities to do with children at home that will peak their interests and enhance family fun time.

1. Make Frozen Bubbles. This activity is best done when the outdoor temperature is below freezing.

You'll need:

Measuring cup

Soap powder

Sugar

Hot water

Bowl

Spoon or whisk

Bubble wand

Mix 1/2 cup soap powder, 1/2 cup sugar and 3 cups hot water. This is your bubble solution. Take it outside with the bubble wand, blow a bubble, and then catch it on the wand. As the bubble balances on the wand it will soon freeze into a ball of very thin ice.

2. Make Play Doh. Play doh can keep children occupied for hours and is simple to make at home. This recipe gives you about 4 cups of play doh, and can easily be doubled for a larger batch.

In a heavy sauce pan, mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt and 4 teaspoons cream of tarter. Add two teaspoons cooking oil and 2 cups water.Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly as the mixture thickens. When it begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, turn it out on a heat proof surface. It will be very hot, so let it cool and then knead until it is the desired consistency. To add colors, you can add food coloring with the water before cooking, or knead the food coloring into the play doh after it is finished.

3. Try Scrapbooking. Get out the photographs and let the children choose their favorites to work with. Glue or tape the photo to a piece of paper and decorate the page as they so choose. If you're already into scrapbooking you'll have plenty of supplies available to use. If not, you can use odds and ends from around the house to embellish the page: dry pasta such as spaghetti, old buttons, ribbon, yarn, colored scraps of paper, aluminum foil, designs cut from old greeting cards or wrapping paper. Let your imagination go and use whatever is handy.

4. Watch old home movies. Children (and parents) love to see themselves on the TV screen. Show movies and videos of birthday parties, holiday celebrations, summer vacations, school plays. They will enjoy them all.

5. Make a pot of vegetable soup. Let the kids help prepare the vegetables to put in the soup. Even a three-year-old can cut up celery and thin sliced potatoes with a butter knife and still be safe. Talk about measuring and ingredients as you work. They can take pride in the fact that they have helped prepare dinner for the family.

6. Do body tracings. Use brown butcher paper or the back of rolls of wrapping paper. Have the child lie down on the paper and then trace completely around their body. Have each child add features such as eyes, mouth, clothing, and shoes. Let them model after what they are wearing that day, or make up their own special outfit to wear. When the decorations are finished, cut out each tracing and tape it up on the wall at the child's height so they can admire their work.

These activities all need your assistance to get them started but then will be child directed. Then you can join in and enjoy all the fun together.

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