Enjoy the Fresh Air Together
While most people stay inside during the winter months, don't forget it's also a great time to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature with your family. We often participate in guided Bird Walks at our local Nature Center to learn more about the wildlife in our area and get a little exercise.
And every winter, our kids make homemade bird feeders made of pinecones coated with peanut butter and rolled in birdseed. We hang them outside the kitchen window, and the children look forward to seeing which birds visit each day. It's a simple thing to do, but the discussions about nature that often follow are priceless.
Explore Fun Ways to Learn
A favorite family winter outing is to visit our local Children's Museum or Aquarium. The museum has so many hands-on activities for kids of all ages. They can learn about science, nature, culture, and so much more while exploring each exhibit. And the aquarium is a real delight for us adults as well. We love to watch sea creatures of all shapes, sizes and colors and learn about their habits and habitats.
After a day of mental stimulation, the kids are hungry! I usually make a pan of Stuffed Shells with Turkey before we leave, then heat them up for dinner when we get home. It’s a quick, easy and delicious meal!
Make Breakfast Time Quality Time
Of course, we know how important it is to eat dinner together as a family, but I've found breakfast really lends itself to fun, quality time as well ? especially during the winter months, when everyone stays indoors for most of the day.
I like to choose one Saturday a month to make breakfast a real event. We use the good dishes and sip orange juice out of fancy glasses. The menu usually consists of pancakes, cut into shapes with cookie cutters, such as hearts, snowflakes or snowmen, and, of course, a pan of warm Cinnamon or Blueberry Rolls. Or when I have time to plan ahead, I like to make a Sausage Roll Breakfast Casserole.
We've shared some wonderful (and funny) stories around the breakfast table. Maybe because everyone is comfortable in his or her pajamas and well rested. We've also found it's a great time for everyone to have a say in planning family activities for the warmer months, like our annual summer vacation.
