As nice as the idea of a white Christmas may be, long stretches of winter weather can be enough to give even the most weather-tested families a small dose of cabin fever. Staying immobile and indoors is especially hard on the kids whose high energy levels often send them into running and wrestling frenzies that jeopardize fragile objects all throughout the house. Luckily, though, you already have the skill set to help combat the onset of cabin fever—it’s as simple as whipping up some good DIY projects that you can do with the kids. Not only will this keep them busy and help them burn off some excess energy, but even a master craftsmen like Santa enjoys the benefit of having some elves around to help out with projects in the workshop. 

1. Let the Winter Games Begin:  Ice fishing – not the kind where you sit on a frozen lake – but one that you can do in the warmth of your living room with your kids. You can create this at-home activity using a few simple items you probably have hanging around the house. Hang a sheet from the ceiling, craft a makeshift fishing pole using string and a clothespin, and let the kids cast away. Hide behind the sheet with a goody basket while the little ones “fish” for their treats. Get full instructions and more ideas here on Kaboose.com.
2. Winter Gardening:  Plant a windowsill garden, experiment with unusual plants like the venus flytrap or watch seeds sprout in a glass jar. Using a combo of gardening skills, science and items that are easy to pick-up at the local garden depot, or even better already laying in the garage, you have a full day of dirty fun. Get a full list of Winter Gardening Activities For Kids here.
3. Get Crafty Outdoors:  We’ve all heard of snowmen, but have you ever made and decorated a snow tree? Learn how along with some other cold crazy fun on Disney FamilyFun’s Outdoor Crafts.
4. Man of Many Wreaths:  Though making a wreath might not have the same symbolic burliness as hacking down a pine tree in the middle of a blizzard or building an igloo with your bare hands, for kids who are trying to stay out of the cold, wreath-building can be a fun holiday project and might win you some points with the Mrs. if you mention you’re doing an activity that allows the girls to get involved. There are many different styles of wreaths and ways to make them, but one good guide to get started can be found here on TLC. In addition, if you feel the need to add a bit of adventure to the process, going out to collect the materials from the woods instead of the store adds an excursion all will enjoy.
5. From Workshop to Hilltop:  Every kid in every town that has snow and at least a ten foot hill knows that sledding is a rite of passage and that having the fastest sled is the right of champions. But how many of these kids do you think can claim to be riding a slope slayer built with their own two hands? Forget the Red Flyer and those cheesy plastic saucers. When the snow comes down hard this winter and the kids are stuck inside, it’s time to get to work building a sled so they can dominate that fresh powder once the sun comes out. You can find all sorts of plans for various sled types online, but we’ll give you a good how-to article from Trails.com to start with to save time and get the job done so you can get the kids on their trail as soon as possible.

TIP: Spray some WD-40_® Multi-Use Product on the rails of the sled to give your kids a slippery turbo boost. Enjoy this demo…