by JoAnn Powell

Created on: November 24, 2009

When winter weather limits most outdoor activities, parents need to look for indoor activities to keep the kids busy. During the holiday season there are holiday parades to go see, a visit to Santa at the mall, or driving around to look at the holiday displays. But winter lasts longer than the holiday season and you need to seek out other fun activities that are available all year long.

1. Visit the local childrens' museum. Exhibits are geared to child learning activities, such as water play, levers and pulleys, weights and measures, and animal habitats. All are designed with children in mind, but adults can really get into watching the boats float down the man-made river or climbing the fake tree to get to the bridge that crosses the exhibit.

2. Go play laser tag. Though the noise level is quite high, the fun level is greater. Adults are allowed to enter with the group, and the kids always seem to think it's more fun to tag an adult than their friends.

3. Go to Dave and Buster's or Chuck E Cheese to play arcade games. Again, the noise level is high, but the kids can pick and choose their own games to play and win "prizes" at the end. Watch for coupons that give free tokens with purchase of food, and you can have lunch and a good time for less money.

4.Go bowling. Most bowling alleys have bumpers available to help keep the kid's (and the adult's) bowling ball on the alley. Visit during the day when there is less crowd and cheaper prices.

5. Visit the batting cage. Winter is the perfect time to start improving your batting skills for baseball season.

6. Take photographs. Go outdoors to parks and trails and take the camera. Look for interesting shapes, different arrangement of light and dark areas, maybe even spot a deer in the woods. Let the kids use their cameras to capture whatever they think is worth watching.

7. Visit a historic site near you. All towns have historic sights that are special, but many times we are too busy to take the time to visit. Check with the local library to see what is near and interesting. Most times these visits are free.

Many times local news websites will have special activities posted on their sites, so check often to find something you like. Ask the kids for their suggestions. They may surprise you with something that can become a new hobby for the entire family.

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