Frugal Winter Fun with Kids

In the middle of winter, cabin fever can set in. But post holiday budgets don't have much room for expensive entertainment. However, you can still be frugal and give you kids some winter fun.

Indoor Snowball Fight

Start with a indoor snowball fight. Wad up newspaper balls, find cover and fire away. After clean up, share a cup of hot chocolate in the kitchen. While you are in the kitchen, gather up empty plastic bottles to use for indoor bowling. Find a ball, and set up the pins in a hallway. Get a pad and pencil to keep score.

Get Crafty

Winter is a good time for arts and crafts. Cut and tape brown grocery bags together to form a large sheet. Have your child lie down on the paper and trace the outline of his body. Then let him /her make a self portrait, using crayons to add a face and clothes.

Have Snow Fun

Bundle up and head outside for some fun in the snow. You can start with a game of snow golf. Bury an empty can in the snow. Use a plastic or rubber ball, and for clubs use plastic whiffle ball bats. Get your camera and take some pictures of the snow and ice. Before you go in, grab a pan full of snow to make snow ice cream. When you are back in the kitchen mix:

• 1 qt of milk
• 1 egg
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teas salt
• 1 teas vanilla
• Cook over medium heat, stirring until mixture thickens.
• Cool to room temperature and pour over fresh clean snow.

Take your treat, kick back and read a book or play board games with your children.

photo by Sas Skkalich