Monday always follows Sunday, and summer always turns into fall—but does cabin fever always happen during the winter? Maybe not always, but young children do feel cooped up often enough during the snowy season that we’re bringing you fun cures for cabin fever.
World of Adventure: Read
Last year, we provided a list of fun ways to combat cabin fever, and we ended with this tip: “Stop at the library and let your children pick out an assortment of books, enough to keep them occupied in case you get snowed in.” Here are some books to consider for this winter:
- Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin: Wilson Bentley, born in 1865 in Vermont, considered snowflakes to be small miracles, even when he was a child. He began photographing flakes to capture their beauty, which made other people believe him to be odd. But Bentley’s patient recording of snowflakes demonstrated how no two flakes are alike—and this book about his life gives “children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist's vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature.” This book won the Caldecott Medal in 1999.
- The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino and John Nelson, Ph.D.: Wilson Bentley focused on the beauty and science of snowflakes, and this book also takes a scientific approach tailored for young, curious minds. Topics discussed include how snow crystals are formed, what shapes they take and whether it’s true that no two snow crystals are alike. This book also includes visually stunning photos, plus instructions on how to catch snowflakes.
- Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London: Froggy hops into the snow, ready to have some fun, but his mother makes him come back home to put on some warm clothing—something that surely will resonate with your young children.
For more recommendations of winter-focused books that are fun and appropriate for children ages 4-6, see this Goodreads article.
More Ways to Combat Cabin Fever
You can create a temporary indoor fort or one that you plan to keep around for a while. “Kids will love to use them for sleepovers with friends, reading nooks or ‘camping out’ in the safety and warmth of the living room with the whole family,” according to an article at KidsActivitiesBlog.com. “When the weather outside is frightful, your kids will see you as the coolest parent ever when you help them to build a fort!”
The article shares 25 ways to build an indoor fort, using blankets, cardboard boxes and more.
NewsForParents.org suggests an offbeat idea: Create a pretend petting zoo by collecting stuffed animals from around your house. You could put them all in one area of your home or spread them throughout the house. As you visit the animals with your child, you could pet each one, mimicking the noises they make and talking about what makes each animal unique and special. If you have books about these animals, it would be a great time to read them.
You can find even more ideas for beating cabin fever at NotJustCute.com. Have fun!
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