Having 5 boys between 1-10 can be challenging at times. I love having boys that are older and can help and I also love having little ones, but I think one of the most difficult things I have faced as a mother is figuring out how to keep them busy. We’ve had lots of snow days and this Winter- any snow day to me feels like a lot- and on snow days I get worried that electronics are going to just take over, especially if I’m at work and the kids are at home with a sitter. Today I wanted to share a few things we do as a family or things that I encourage (require of my kiddos đ to keep the boys busy during these colder months on snow days or just to have things to look forward to.
1. Read books together. This seems a little fluffy, but I do try to require my boys to read. They are required to read to themselves and then if I can I try to have the big boys read the little boys. I also have the bigger boys, Easton and Kesler read scripture everyday. We read as a family but I also want them to read on their own. I’m trying to help them set good habits and having high expectations of them is something that I want to keep. So reading to themselves (especially before electronics), reading to each other, reading with me and then reading scripture- those are all great ways to read. One other way to get some reading is to have their Alexa read to them. The Audible app ties into the Alexa and can read books to them. It’s awesome.
2. Get outside! This might not sound too exciting for parents but I promise once you get outside and start moving around it warms up, eventually. I always send the boys outside with Soren to shovel the snow. I head out for a little bit to get some pics, see them play and then I go back in to make the hot cocoa. I love the energy they get out by getting outside. Today’s temps were 4 and 5 degrees which meant very little outside time, but usually I make them bundle up and get outside.
3. Go on a staycation! Every year we go to Great Wolf Lodge with the boys. This is great memory with the kiddos and the tradition is worth it’s weight in gold. Kids love traditions. We also love to have other winter weekend traditions like having a few museums that we go to on Saturdays in the winter. Wonderscope is one we went to recently. Having some indoor family weekend activities to pull from on weekends is a great way to get out but be together.
4. Get a dog. I’m partially kidding, but it will keep them (and you) busy. Getting a pet this year definitely has kept us busy! đ We got a puppy for Christmas and boy has he kept us on our toes. Literally- he won’t stop biting our ankles. We’re busy playing with him, taking him to the vet, training him, learning all about him, etc. Getting a goldfish might be just as fun and little more manageable.
5. Go on a mommy-son (or daughter) date. This is an easy- or not so easy- depending on how many kids you have- idea for getting out and spending time together. I am not amazing at this, but my kids and I always remember when we do this. My goal this month is to start going to lunch at school once a week with one of my kiddos and that’s another way to spend time with them in the Winter. I know I can sneak out of work in the daytime to go do this and then they are seeing a little more of me too. It could be a trip through Target, going to get ice cream or just taking them to a movie. You’ll both make great memories and beat some of those winter blues.
I hope this gave you some ideas for some fun family Winter fun. It can be hard to find things to look forward to in the darker days of Winter, but fun traditions, family dates or one-on-one dates are great ways to make memories and enjoy family time together.
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